Plan to get lost.

What would you do if your life was confined to a room?

How un-interesting would it be if earth was just as big as a small village?

What if there was nothing beyond earth to look for?

Had the thought of travelling struck your mind?

Well, we are blessed enough to have enough mysteries and avenues to explore that may need several lifetimes, but who knows that we get a next life. Try to explore as much as possible in this very life.

So I tried to do something like this….

I am supposed to return the car to my parents at my native place Nagpur, India. They expected me to hire a driver and reach there. Guess what? I had other plans J I brought the car about 8 months back to Pune and ever since I was dying for a long drive but as always plans never materialized. Then came the day when I had to return this baby, but the craving was always there for the long drive and I could see its prospects fading. I was never going to give-up. Come what may I decided to fulfill my wish right away…

In came the long holidays [02^nd Oct 2014 to 6^th Oct 2014] *perks of being a government employee!!!

02^nd Oct – Gandhi Jayanti [got spoiled by Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Campaign Clean India) my our beloved Prime Minister Mr. Modi] but thanks to Mr. Modi and Mr. Gandhi it gave me time to sweep my mind and along-with my office campus and buffer to plan the trip.

03^rd Oct – Dussehra Festival Holiday

04^th Oct, 5^th Oct – Saturday-Sunday (Weekend Holiday)

06^th Oct – Eid Holiday

02^nd Oct I was in Delhi and got the route jotted down after running through many websites. Really helpful were Google Maps, Team BHP (esp. Shab Ahmad) and must say the blog that inspired me to take the journey hands down, titled ‘Somewhere I belong’. As expected the flight to Pune got delayed by an hour and that really made the matters worse. Reached Lohegaon airport 2200hrs cab was waiting at the airport, had to drop my colleague on Nagar road, the same road by which I had to drive tomorrow morning. I reached home at 2300 hrs. Meanwhile returning to home from airport the cab driver heard me talking about driving to Nagpur the next morning and told me that he was from a village near Akola a place on the way to Nagpur. He said that he will drive, he knows the root too and would not charge much. Just realized earth was round and the words from the Alchemist struck my mind “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. I said no problem you are welcome, which just calmed my nerves a bit as I was bit reluctant to drive alone. Also having a person who could drive was a bonus just in case I felt sleepy. So we finalized the time and told him to be ready at 0500 hrs the next morning. I had already informed my friend and told him to arrange for dinner thanks to him. He helped me in a lot many ways, got the car checked a day before the drive, installed a music system yes my car was without a music system and also patched some scratches this was all pending since a long time. This just made sure the car was ready to hit the road and cruise along the rough terrain. He explained me the functionalities of the music system and also gave me jack from his car in case the car broke down, can’t even imagine this on a highway alone, broken car, no-one to repair that really scared me for a moment. But there was no looking back I always had in the back of my mind that if Pulsar200 can reach unharmed who the hell is going to stop my ETIOS from reaching there.

Wished my friend good night, had my dinner did some packing and went to sleep at around 0200 hrs.

The Journey that already had begun….

Woke up at 0430 hrs, a sleep of 2hrs and 30mins was never going to be enough, rather even a 8 to 10 hrs sleep is not enough for me. But the excitement to drive to my home made me forget everything.

Did I forget to fill the gas?

I started at 0520hrs from my house stopped to the ATM, stuffed my valet with some cash for fuel and toll and proceeded to driver’s house in Baner. Driver told me that the petrol pump just opposite the Rahul Theater is open 24X7. That just gave me a momentary relief.

It was still dark. While going from Baner to petrol pump via university road we could see devotees walking barefooted to Chatushrungi temple that reminded me that it was the end of Navratri and it was the Dussehra day which I had forgotten.

Driver told me that the petrol pump just opposite the Rahul Theater is open 24X7. On our way, observing my driving skills driver instantly said ‘Tumcha haath nahi baslay gadi var’ i.e. You are not fluent at driving. The words really de-motivated me and put doubts in my mind. But I remained poker faced.

We were just about to approach the petrol pump on the other side of the road. We had to take a U-turn below the flyover ahead to cross over to the other side. I was anxious to check whether the petrol pump was open just momentarily I diverted my attention to the other side of road that is when I was just about to ram the car into the pole that stood as a separator between the flyover and other road. Fortunately the driver alerted me and we avoided the pole in just the nick of time and the words struck me once again ‘Tumcha haath nahi baslay gadi var’, it was a pure case of Nazar hati durghatna ghati. As expected the petrol pump was closed. Felt like an idiot now. But I knew that the petrol pump at sangam bridge also remained open 24X7. Finally refueled the car here and kicked off the actual drive. Though I was late by an hour than my estimated plan but was happy to start the journey as from here there was not a penny of doubt in my mind.

At the stroke of the first rays of the sun we started, I handed over the steering to driver so that I could have some sleep and by the time we would reach Aurangabad 250 Km from Pune, this would be helpful for my Akola to Nagpur drive. Before I could sleep I had to assess the driving of the driver so that I would sleep calmly, but that never happened and I stayed awake. Soon I spotted two college going guys on Nagar road with an Akola registration number Yamaha all strapped with nothing but just a monkey cap and glares. I was sure they were heading for Akola. Guess what, every time we stopped at any toll they used to pass by us.  The landscape throughout the journey was just beautiful. We crossed Ranjangaon and Shirur.

Mistake #1

After almost crossing pune we saw a welcome to ahemadnagar board right after that in big bold letters the board read take left for Aurangabad bypass. I had read while planning that please do not take the Aurangabad bypass, but it slipped through my mind and from here we started losing our way at every probable turns. This route is used by people going to Shirdi. This was a very rough terrain. Potholes all the way for almost 10-15km which almost took 30 to 40 mins for us to cross and there we took a right for Aurangabad after 10-15km more we reached the Ahemadnagar-Aurangabad highway. Not only we added 25 to 30km to our journey we also added a critical 1hr 15 mins.

We reached Aurangabad very smoothly. It was morning time around 1000hrs they city had a festive fervor throughout especially as we passed by the market. Marigold flowers up for sale on the both sides of the road this really was refreshing. Also passed by my Holy Cross School where I studied when I was in VI th grade.

Soon we approached a toll booth, I flashed my government id so that I will not need to pay the toll. Though it was a bluff but I backed myself. Alas it was all in vain the toll guy didn’t let me go till I pay, the vehicles behind started honking. I paid the toll and suddenly a police officer signaled us to park the car aside. I was really frightened, but flashed a poker face once again. Got down the vehicle, talked to the policeman, he said random check due to elections. I felt relieved. They captured the footage of the whole car, groped the car from inside to search for illegal stuffs, but they realized we were the honest ones’s. He noted the vehicle registration number along-with my name and address and let us go. We moved ahead.

We were looking for a stall where we could have breakfast and tea. Many stalls didn’t look too convincing and we decided to move ahead in search of a better one on the way to Jalna about 60km ahead.

Now I was steering the wheels. Suddenly I felt rejuvenated and was swirling past vehicles, I was in no mood to stop and just felt like I got extra lives and bonus points while playing a game. Baliram also realized that it was no point in stopping the car for breakfast.

Soon my cell rang. The call from home and I forgot that I had to inform them that I was on my way to Nagpur. Actually I also avoided as they would be worried all the time till I reach home. I didn’t receive the call. Looked at baliram and felt he was dying to eat something. At the very first tea stall we stopped, parked the car under a tree shade, had nice hot tea the weather was really awesome, the road was clear and I was enjoying every bit of the journey now. We also had bread patties and wada pav. After staying for two months in Delhi I tasted the wada pav for the very first time and it just felt awesome, really felt at home after many days. Had a look at the village where we stopped for tea, few were sitting in the stall for discussions over tea, an auto rickshaw with a loudspeaker shouting loud the name of the candidate who was contesting the Vidhaansabha elections that were to be held on 15^th Oct. Guess what I again saw the two guys on Yamaha, I was quite impressed by the speed they were travelling.

When the driver was not part of my scheme of things I had planned to go by route #1 i.e. via wardha, but since I had to drop the driver to Akola I had to change my plan accordingly route #2. Since he knew the route as he claimed, I was really not worried much.

Mistake #2

Soon we reached Jalna. Turn right and we go via wardha that I had studied. Turn left was the Akola route that is what I assumed as there was no other route. When I enquired about the route to baliram I realized that he didn’t knew the route either. We approached some locals but they were not sure too. As the trend had been for the day we took the wrong turn. Though the sign showed Akola this way but there was a twist, we had to go via Dulgaonraja to chikli and further. A thought crossed my mind that maybe the driver is sleepy so just to observe him without getting noticed, I put on my goggles, to my surprise he too did the same and put on his goggles. I was really feeling sleepy and thought that driver will manage the rest somehow till we approach Akola and went to sleep behind the glasses. But Akola was never coming soon. I was fast asleep and baliram missed crucial chikli turn and straight away we were on our way to Jafrabad and with Jalna ahead. Soon I woke up, just to notice bad roads and crossing villages with no signboards whatsoever. Once we reached Jafrabad looked like a crowded village, markets all around, again election activities, loudspeakers shouting, also noticed the recently split four major parties head offices in vicinity. Everyone shouting out the names of their candidates but I could see that hardly anyone could listen to what they were shouting.

We enquired for Akola route, we were surprised to learn that Akola was left behind. I wondered how come we found a shortcut unknowingly. Then we enquired where were we heading to, agoin to our surprise they answered Jalna. Then a wise man asked us where we wanted to go and we said Akola, then he explained us how we lost, guided to nearest route i.e. Jafrabad to Buldhana via Dhad then Khamgaon then Akola.

Jalna -> Deulgaonraja -> Chikli -> Buldhana -> Khamgaon -> Akola 193Km

Jalna -> Jafrabad -> Dhad -> Buldhana -> Khamgaon -> Akola 230Km

Extra 40Km i.e. 1hrs 20mins

Wrong turn that I liked!!! Botha Forest.

We had a cup of tea at Jafrabad. The driving of Baliram took me to sleep every-time. He handled the car so delicately and was in no hurry to reach Akola. I thought he had forgotten that I have to go 250Km ahead after Akola. I decided to take control. Again something strange happened and I started cruising along the single lane route to Dhad still 40Km ahead and reached there in 40mins exactly. Can you imagine, the villages we passed were silent and very calm, the landscape had fields, cows, farmers small children, but the road was clear ahead. In came Buldhana.

We moved towards Khamgaon to my surprise the route was through the Botha forest, that I had never heard of and it was the Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary. Signboards and billboards of beware of Leopards, Bears, Hyenas etc. and guess what no vehicles at all. I remember all the way from Buldhana to Khamgaon barring a couple of buses, a broken down jeep we faced nothing in our path. The landscape was serene; it looked like we could encounter only animals here. Suddenly we saw a lake on the left side, machans built in the sanctuary, footpaths for vehicles to go deep into the jungle. I could see the grass swaying in unison with the breeze. It was just fascinating to see that from the middle of nowhere we get to go through a sanctuary enjoy the ride and absorb the beauty of nature. Though we didn’t stop as I had to reach Khamgaon within 40mins. Excellent driveway ensured we reach Khamgaon in 35mins. Woohoo!!! I clocked 80-90kmph throughout, slowing down only at turns.

Now I was tired and needed rest as Akola was nearby and later I had to drive 250kms more. I asked Baliram to drive further till Akola. He didn’t have any other option. I slept well till Akola as the road was good. Baliram stopped the car and woke me up. I paid him the money that we had decided and thanked him. He went to Akola bus stand by auto rickshaw. Though the fuel indicator showed no signs of emptying, but to be on a safer side I decided to refuel so that I do not need to worry after starting from Akola. I also checked the air pressure in the tyre. I felt quite refreshed by the nap and raring to go for Nagpur non-stop.

The Stranger

I just checked the car, stretched a bit to get ready for the last leg of the journey. I was on the crossroads, nobody to be seen in either direction. This has been the order of the day I was just skeptical if I was following the correct route, which I was never for most of the times. The clear roads just pepped me up to take the car to full throttle.

Two lane bypass was ahead. It was 1700hrs, just informed my parents that I was about to leave Akola. As per the norm I should reach Nagpur in not more than 5 hours. But I wanted to cover most of the distance before the dusk. The sun was on its way to set in an hour or two. I started the car zoom passed by the vehicles in my way and staring at the clear route, when suddenly a series of speed breakers came, I slowed down, later there were many breakers ahead at regular intervals. I passed by a traffic police with a pillion. I was consistently at 50-60kmph speed. So the traffic police used to stare at me when he passed by me each time. I was a bit frightened since I was alone and encountering a policeman on the way is not a good sign. Whenever I overtook him he used to be right in my mirror. Due to speed breakers I could never attain enough speed that I could clear past him and avoid him. Anyways I had all the documents with me along-with the driving license with me. I guess I was the only one who throughout the journey was wearing a seat belt, in that way I was quite sure I followed all the rules and kept myself safe. Suddenly to my worst fear he came right in front of my car and signaled me to stop. I pulled over and again made a poker face. He asked me where I was going. I told him that I am going to Nagpur. He requested to me pointing to the other person on his bike to drop him on the way to Katepurna. I was more than happy to help him.

Then the stranger sat into my car and the policeman went to his way. I was relieved. I started again but this incident really wasted my time. I suddenly felt I would be late; I tried to rush through the heavy vehicles but was very difficult since single lane had started. The stranger told me that he is studying in a college in Akola and is going home for Dussehra festival. He gave a lot of information about the villages that we were crossing. I told him I know Katepurna with a reference that during our schooling the NCC cadets used to go to Katepurna on a cycling expedition and used to camp overnight. He was really happy to hear that I had studied in Akola and knew about Katepurna. I told him that I hardly saw any vehicles throughout the journey from Pune, that is when I got to know when the stranger told that people avoid travelling on the day of Dussehra and generally clean vehicles and worship them. I was so happy for this festival since it was the primary reason behind me reaching home in time, though I was late by almost 3hrs already. Soon we reached Katepurna, the stranger wished me Happy Dusshera and handed over the apta leaves to me. I was really happy to help someone and in return he gave a token of thanks.

The Cruise

After dropping the stranger it suddenly stuck to me that I had lost a lot of time, but to my pleasure I could see a empty road though single lane and a hope that people stick to celebrating Dussehra and not drive vehicles. After 40mins I had travelled only 27kms owing to the happenings till Katepurna. I made a fresh start, zoom passed handful of vehicles. I was travelling at 80-90kmph on a single lane road, I was in my zone keeping watch on the setting sun through the mirror.

Suddenly a white swift zoom passed me, I could see a potential competitor, since all the way through I don’t remember any vehicle overtook me. It just got into me and I raced and overtook the swift. It again overtook me and this happened along the way until a third competitor came in, a grey Honda City. Three didn’t make a mess but raced each other such that nobody got offended and to my surprise I saw a sign board saying Amravati 14km that means I travelled 53Km in 40mins and 3km further to my pleasure I saw for Nagpur bypass take right and Amravati city 11Km ahead. Whoa, the bypass saved me 11km that too near city. I stared at Nagpur 168Km ahead, I thought I was dreaming. Suddenly my cell rang, It were my parents enquiring about my whereabouts. I told them don’t worry I will be there in 3hrs. Since almost a 50km I was at an average og 80-90kmph and occasionally clocking 100 then curbing my anxiety and going back to 80-90Kmph. Swift went towards Amravati as expected due to its registration number and Honda City overtook me towards Nagpur it had registration number of Pune.

The moment I took right for Nagpur bypass, my eyes widened, felt like it is my driving test and I was driving on a football field. I finally was on a four-lane freeway nothing less than the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune expressway. The road was brand new, lighted at the start, signboards all along and not a single vehicle in sight except the Honda City. I put my foot on the pedal and accelerated, soon I realized that I was cruising along at 140Kmph. I had never felt like this before, I could feel the blood flowing through my veins and again said to myself it is better late than never. Sun had set it was dark enough and I was not used to night driving, but this Amravati Nagpur road was butter. The dividers were enough to block the lights from the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. No vehicles ahead, I had breeze passed by the Honda City way back and was again the leader of the pack, though there was no one even near on both the sides. I closed all the window shutters and was into my zone crossing milestones well ahead of my estimated time.

Finally I stopped for a mandatory break at the Kondali toll booth that was 50km from Nagpur, that is when I realized that I had covered this 120Km distance in just 100mins. I felt I deserved a break. I did some stretching, called my parents, they were relieved to hear that and me too. As soon as I realized the break was too long and slowing me, my friends words struck my mind that show no mercy when the target is near, this is the toughest phase of the journey. I buckled the seat belt and cruised along till I reached the Nagpur city where due to traffic I was slowed down.

At last I reached home after a breathtaking 15hr journey. Though I got lost and took more time but I feel it was the bound to happen on a maiden road trip. This might have cost me 50-70Km more but it gave me a beautiful gift of Botha forest that I will cherish for all my life and will be more than happy to get lost in my journey’s that present me with something different. My parents were really happy to see me home. I was happy too to reach home, but had a sad feeling that I have to return the vehicle when I loved it the most, I was sad the journey had ended. Never mind there will again be a different road trip. I returned to Pune a few days later and felt nostalgic when I retraced the same route in the reverse direction when inside the bus.

I don’t know what I learned from this journey but I feel everyone should take-off to a journey at least once in a year. Again I realized that it is not the destination but the journey that matters.