Day 10
Great start at 7.00 AM after a reasonable night’s sleep. Made a petrol stop and a couple of photo stops (view over the bay and the locals working the salt) before we made roughly 90 to 100 KM by 10.00 am. Trixi is running beautifully.
Stopped in Bhatkal for breakfast where we tried home baked Puris and chana with alo gobi - yummy!
After a few more miles under our belts we came across a fishing centre with lots of fishing boats and thought this a good photo opportunity.
Pete submitted the fishing picture as #picoftheday - no way it will win as its too good a photo.
By 10.30 we were back on the road and to be fair where they have finished the surface the roads are bloody good. This section even had white broken lines which is a rarity in these parts.
Decided we were making such good time aided by the new roads that we should get in another beach stop, and once in Udupi we found the beach. Tide was coming in fast with some big breakers.
Found some new friends who recommended that we should eat off the beaten track.
It was a home cooked lunch. Best fish and rice - 350 rupees outstanding!! The cook was embarrassed when we gave 450.
3.50 back on the highway heading for Mangalore. Arrived at 5.20 for the usual paperwork before crashing the shower...until next time.
Day 9.
Leisurely start with breakfast around 9 am. Usual 2 boiled eggs with several rounds of toast, with bacon. Coffee pretty good too! Top start to the day for Les Trois Boutons.
All went well until we stopped on a bridge to take some photos only to get busted by the police for going on the bridge in a 3 wheeler. We observed corruption at its simplest. The officer wrote out the ticket and then said “I can help you!” He then said “I keep your license.” and pointed to the note on the form referring to the attendance at a specially convened court, whilst at the same time writing a number out on the back of his book in very small writing. The number was 800. Toby paid the man 800, who must have felt sorry for us and gave him 100 back.
No receipt either.
Finally arrived at stop for lunch at Palolem Beach, Canacona.
Had a slight altercation with a scooter that tried to overtake me whilst I was turning right. Mechanic called and all sorted for 3500 rupees. The front forks bent in and wheel rubbing against front faring. Could’ve been much worse but as there was no injury all done with the passing of cash and a handshake. Imagine this at home!!!
Lunch on beach at the Siarl Presley bar and restaurant. Had King fish which is local and very tasty. Red snapper as well with chips.
In the afternoon onwards to Gokarna if we can make it...
After lunch we drove for 3 hours and ran out of light. The hill clime from Gokarna was nerve racking but the view across the sea was amazing and to top it all we saw fruit bats flying against the night sky....we got lost and again out of nowhere a Tuk Tuk driver stopped and made a phone call to help us. Said the road was too dangerous at night for us. He had a point!
We finally found a room at the Namaste Cafe which is a yoga retreat built into the side of a hill. Looks pretty cool at night but given the distance we still need to do and because breakfast isn’t included we won’t see it. We intend to get up and out at 6 am...let’s see lol.
Namaste
We woke during the night in anticipation of the intended big push Sunday.. Alarm at 5.0 AM and Trixi loaded and away by 5.30 - miracles can happen. Fullish moon with dappled clouds gave a beautifully blanketed sky encouraging us on our way.
Lorries have some crazy lights and their horns are simply inspirational. You better get the fuck out of the way when they are behind you.
We made good progress towards Satara before hitting a big hill and more first gear grinding. Followed by a long coast ride down again as the sun poked over the mountains to warm us. The drop in temperature was notable and left us wondering why we weren’t all wearing fleeces!! It’s bloody cold at 50 KMH with no sides and no sun. Brrr!
Later whilst cruising at 50 plus there was a sudden loss of power which meant a problem. Pete noticed a trail of petrol behind Trixi...Phew, just a loose fuel line. All was quickly sorted with pliers and we were off again.
2.5 hours in and a call for coffee and eggs went up, so we pulled in to a busy Hotel where the owner persuaded us to try a Dosa. Large pancake type crepe with yogurt and some kind of soup. Better coffee than yesterday!
Chocolate biscuits were noticed, purchased and surprising enough not like the photo on the packet...why am I surprised?
Another call for the Golden Arches lead us to meet a fake Guru and some references for tomorrow!
So after 12 hours in Trixi we arrived at the hotel where we have decamped, eaten and are now settling in for more IPL, but no beers to be had as there is a government imposed alcohol ban due to election fever. Dry until the 23 April, but we did get stopped by a complete member of parliament sporting the best mullet I’ve seen in a long time. 118 of 118 if you know what I mean!
Yesterday we left Dukes Retreat at 1.00 pm after a 2 hour wait for laundry - first world problem! Most expensive stay so far. 15000 for night reduced to 11000 on seeing the room.
Food was great & the staff couldn’t do enough. After much needed rest, several trips to the loo and showers Team Trois Boutons were on our way again and oh how we’ve not missed the acrid smell and taste of diesel fumes and the Mumbai Saunders!!
Lonavla was a traffic jam!!! It is the cleanest town yet with a ban on plastic with fines up to 5000 rupees. Wax museum was nearly the shout for the day since we lost time but decided to push on for Satara...
Dry arid river basin and much washing in the river green and another steep incline to leave the Karla region behind.
14.15 let’s go see Pune...cooler and water here...lol
Chris Lorenzo - Ed Sheeren remix tell me when it kicks in
Met a couple of crazy dudes on a bike - one with a super orange Barnet.
After a visit to a 500 year old fort in Pune, we lost ourselves in the streets trying to get a coffee...even going down a one way street the wrong way...whatever! And finally made our way to the Vegas hotel. On arrival we met the owner who promised it was under renovation and would be up and running soon. Opening gambit 3500 for the night but 2500 was the final sale.
On request the boys agreed to come out for dinner & we finished the night at the Shirwal Bar downtown (service road) outside Shirwal.
Food here was excellent!! And only 2600 including 7 large buds and then on into the darkness!!!
Crazy drive back to Vegas hotel including crossing 3 lanes, but a break in the traffic allowed for a safe transition.
Final note don’t believe what you read on booking.com
Hotel Vegas per Advert...
Hotel Vegas per Reality...
Slept under my handy mosquito netting!
Yesterday was an early start, mostly spent navigating a path to go around Mumbai, but also replacing a fuel line, meeting someone who lives in Texas & at the day’s end, watching IPL at the local pub & dipping my toes in the Arabian Sea at the beach of Dahanu before retiring for the night...Today, a leisurely beginning, and more time driving straight on through & around the great city. On the way we met a tailor, ran into Mickey D, experienced the smog & chaos of the freeway, & came across many smiling, warm faces. When we arrived in Lonavala, we gave Trixi the gentle encouragement to make it up the mountain switchbacks & in return she kept up her clutch & her gear box stayed intact.
(Popcicle pics from two days ago)
Another amazing day in the books!! After an early 7am start, we were set & determined to make our way to view the Unity Statue...but, other plans were in store for our journey. We stopped to enjoy our breakfast of fresh melon along the roadside & were approached by a young man who invited us to meet his guru at the guru-gol school where he studies. We found ourselves in a golden temple on a guided tour, welcomed as VIPs for lunch, viewed the immaculate kitchen where up to 27 chefs prepare meals for up to 15,000 pilgrims, headed to the guru’s museum & ended with a blessing from mararaja guru before hitting the road again. Another hospitable & warm welcome & beautiful experience! Against all advice we ate local food, drank local water, and enjoyed hand crushed ice pops & we loved!
Today was our most challenging, yet most uplifting day thus far! We had our first flat tyre, lost our toolkit somewhere along the way & were caught in the major storm experienced by many of us. The storm shook up our team a bit when sheet metal, from the roadside stand, broke free & came uncomfortably close to Toby’s head!! Wow! But, the best & most memorable part of the day was joining a group of kids for a cricket match on a cow splattered, rock covered sand pit! What a great memory made with the village!
Changing our tyre
A kind gentleman returning the funnel from our tool kit.
Toby is grateful to have survived the near death experience!
Pete in cow corner, Toby with the catch of the day & Pete versus the pup!
Loving every minute!
Day 3 - What a beautiful sight over the plains to set us on our way!
Trixi’s new swag
Fresh melon from a roadside vendor gave us a well earned pick me up & set us on our way.
The love, generosity & sincerity of the locals is overwhelmingly warming to say the least.
Om Shanti - I am peace, peace to the universe, peace to all
Made it!! 240km later, one stop by the authorities, tons of dogs & goats & camels, lots of love from the locals equates an overall great day added to our journey!
Topped up the day with a well enjoyed dip in the pool! Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
We opted to update Trixi to a convertible..
Making our way - Day 1 on the road
Made it to our first stop, safe & sound with everything (both Trixi & ourselves) still in tact!
