CLC:Chapter 2 Journey Starts

Rupesh starts on a freaky Friday from Chennai, he have driven umpteen times between Chennai and Hyderabad. His wonderful highway run is halted by a heavy rain in Vijayawada , though he was happy to see some showers in mid summer but was bothered by the heavy downpour. Sighting the visibility problem he decides to rest sometime in the truck lye bye, only to realize that he has slept for a good amount of time. Freaked by the clock ticking 6 he steps on the gas peddle. He is again bothered by the bumper to bumper traffic near ramoji film city on outskrits of Hyderabad. Reason for the traffic jam, some bomb threat in the city. Managing the odds he reaches close to mid day on Saturday.

After taking a quick nap we relaxed at the one of the best Andhra meals joint for having some good food, We knew we might not be having good food for some more time. After bothering the waiter for extra pappads we started our journey completing the food. Amit joins at city outskirts making sure he has picked some blank CD for copying songs.

After driving for a good amount of time we see a sign board saying Srinagar 2569 Kms. Hmm.. yes we have to go a long way. We decided to stop at reliance dhaba on outskrits of Adilabad for dinner. We enjoyed the dinner watching the super hit movie Magdheera which was aired in television for first time. The dhaba kids were so engraved in the movie we had to literally pull them out for giving the bills

Nagpur stretch was tiring , pathetic road conditions made us look battered. After driving through the bad roads we enter state of Madhya Pradesh moving towards Bhopal. Unfortunaly the roads were even worse in Madhya Pradesh. We were trying to speed up early in the morning where the roads were deserted, Unfortunately our tires were torn as we rode into a bolder. Yes “Tire’s” both the front and rear of the left side tires and tubes were damaged. We have got one extra tire to replace but two isn’t a good news. Luckily we could spot a puncture shop who could fix our torn tire but we have to walk close to a Km carrying them.



We managed to remove the tires and walked close to a km carrying them. As this was early in the morning we woke the shop owner to fix the tires for us. While waiting we meet a Lorry driving lad who gives his piece of advice. He says I have good and bad news for you. The road after Gwalior to delhi is amazing but the road till Gwalior is bad. Then comes his expert advice he says Don’t think you are traveling so long just keep an achievable target in mind which made sense. Carrying close to 10 kgs we walk again with the fixed tire. Little exhausted we replace them.



We thought the problem was fixed apparently it wasn’t the damage was so high that we have to balance our wheels again. Oh well it was Sunday and we were passing though an unknown territory. We quickly scanned through the owner’s manual to check the nearest Hyundai service center. We find one at Bhopal which was 120 Kms away. We called them and made sure we had an appointment.

The travel from Betul where we had flat tire till Bhopal was interesting. We were harassed on road from a local bus called “Cheenu”. Very interesting name for bus yes the driver was so cranky that either he would chase us very fast or would drive very slow ahead of us. Managing chennu we reach Bhopal. The service center was located in the industrial estate of Bhopal city. As we reached on lunch time we had to wait for the workers to come. We thought we would also finish our lunch in mean time. Sitting on the dhaba next to the Tandoor (Furnace) at 44 C wasn’t fun. We drank couple of buttermilk to make sure we can have some food.



Unfortunately we weren’t that lucky, power in the industrial estate went off and they said they weren’t sure when it would come as it was Sunday. Then we go hunting for wheel alignment in Bhopal. Luckily we find a Shop called “Speed”, where a young lad Irfan confidently says he can fix the issue. After test driving at 90 Kmph literally in a crowded street he does the magic for us.

Thanking him we again step on the road heading towards city of Gwalior. After driving though good amount of distance we find that the fuel indicator has fallen rapidly and we have to refill gasoline as soon as possible. With tension building as the indictor heading towards null we finally find a gas station near Guna. Ensuring that the fuel is full we head again.

During late night we stop at one of the road side Dhaba’s for food. We are welcomed by a well educated sarder uncle who serves us one of the best food. Still licking the kaju masala we said thanks to him. He gives his wishes for our safe Journey.

We were welcomed by traffic jam at middle of night in Gwalior city. Some how managing them and taking alternative road we reach pathetic roads of Agra. Agra roads didn’t encourage us to spend the whole night to see the Taj mahal. Continuing our journey early in the morning we reach outskirts of capital city of Delhi. Resting in dhaba for a morning chai we see crowded roads leading to capital city. We were also greeted by very good looking ladies at the Dhaba.

Crossing Delhi was huge task. We were just surprised by the amount of the traffic the city roads handles every morning. People are been spotted as ants and they are available every where. Filling gas we head towards Chandigarh. The highway between Delhi and Chandigarh was amazing. We were engaged in small races in panipet highway where we were clocking close to 120 Kmph. We reached Chandigarh in no time passing the historic city of kurushetra.

With blazing sun and air conditioner running at the maximum we were driving in our boxers. We were welcomed by a police man in Chandigarh. He collected my license and asked us to park in the corner. Rupesh steps out of car in boxers trying to wear his t- shirt. People in the traffic signal were giving a weird look on us especially an aunty in the near by car. We later realized that the day was international gay’s day. Cant help



After having wonderful Tandoori Aloo paratha and Panner Makhani in Chandigarh we head towards city of Jammu. We stopped at a place called Hoshiarpur (means Clever City) . We just wondered why the place was so named. We had to stop where there were confusion road signs to reach Jammu. We asked few people every body gave a direction opposite to what is been stated on the direction board. Confused we decided to ask in detail to a Sweet lime vendor he gives the explanation. We realized and accepted that no wonder the city is called Hoshiarpur.

Driving many hundred kilometers we reach city of jammu in middle of night. Its been 3 continuous day we haven’t stretched our legs. We decided to take a rest and also we have to enjoy the scenic drive to Srinagar. We managed to find a hotel which looked like it would fall even if we sneeze. We managed to control our sneeze and quickly fell asleep.

Starting early in the Morning we traveled though amazing scenic road towards Srinagar. Though lots of things were amazing we were totally taken back by the 2.5 Km Jawahar Tunnel at 7500 Feet. By now we were getting used to excess army forces on road sides and signs of “shooting stones”.



We enjoy the first view of Srinagar valley from titanic view point on a breezy evening. All still in our boxers enjoyed the freezing view of the valley. More to people’s surprise amit was requesting for a cold coffee. After enjoying Hot Noodles and Omelet at the Zikki Lower Munda (Weird Name right) we reach Srinagar.