Kacchch Memories - Solo trip to Coastal Gujarat - 2013

Christmas Day : 25th Dec 2013

 Started the day early at 7:30 am. Took a bus from Junaagad to UperKot.

 Got into a localite's house. Was a random find. Had Phapdes / Theplas. He prepares these in bulk to be distributed  to shops.

 I was getting these snacks fresh out of the Wok (baandli in Kannada :-) ).

 Visited one of the earliest Step wells built (Nagar Vav), Buddhist Caves and Baba Pyra Caves. Rushed back to Hotel and started to Dwaraka

 Boarded the bus to Porabander @12:30 and reached there around 3:30 pm. There was a connecting bus 1 hour later.

 I thought of giving a visit to M.K. Gandhi's house. This visit, led to few of the best things that has happened to me. An awakening experience.

 I got held up at Baapu's house and his life and forgot about my bus to Dwaraka. I forcefully stepped  out after 3 hours, and got the last bus to Dwaraka.

 The earlier bus had a break down, resulting in way too many passengers for this bus. More than what the bus could take. I was hanging on to the rod. I had fallen asleep while standing.

 That's when the wakeup call came from Mansoor Ishq. He had called me for some Adventure day outing options. Suggested him few day trek options.

He asked me what am I upto and if I could join him :-)
I said I'm hanging on to a rod in an overcrowded bus to Dwaraka.

 Mansoor was excited hearing to my trip so far. He himself has done hitch hiking couple of times. Longest being in North East in 2012 for 60 days.

 He asked me where am I spending nights.

 I said hotels.

 He said stop doing that, start finding an unknown place to spend nights. Could be a temple/ dhaba / school / station.

 He also gave a tip, "Think Like a Commando" Keep all your senses sharp.

 He wished me good luck and good bye.

 I reached Dwaraka around 10 pm and then started wandering, looking for a good place to spend the night. Was nervous, apprehensive and very tempted to find a hotel.

 I did try at few hotels. To my luck, they were booked.

 I ended up in Taxi Driver's Cabin in one of the seva sadans. Had 4 bunker beds. There were 3 drivers already occupying and the 4th bed welcoming me.

 The journey started on 20th of December, rather I should say when I booked tickets to Ahmedabad on Friday the 13th, December. Took a 3 weeks' time-off from work.

Day 1 - Dec 20th :

 Started from home to Airport at 3:15 pm.

 Those who know me, will also know that, I prefer to travel by Vayu Vajra Bus (Airport Volvo), whether work or leisure (unless I've more than 2 bags, I avoid taking personal

 taxi. Reason Eco-2 : economical / eco friendly).

 Reached Hebbal stop. Few Taxis heading to Airport, offer ride at Bus fare.

 Got into one, driven by Sridhar. He is from Hoskote, has 2 daughters. He was talking about his kids education expenses being unbearably high.

 He said he has put his kids to a tuition. The lecturer is a college professor, who has 4 Bars, runs tuitions at home after college :-)

 Reached airport at 4:35 pm, which is lot slower than my usual average. However, I still had enough time for boarding.

 My flight was delayed due to previous stopover delays.

 I had an emergency exit seat. Cabin crew asked me to read and understand the emergency evacuation procedure. She probably didn’t like my face :-) she didn’t explain,

 Also possible she assumed, I'm aware of the procedure.

 Read about an Indigo Airhostess featured for that month. Miss M Thappa, from Northeastern state. An Anesthetist, a model and works as an Air hostess in Indigo.

 Amazingly multitalented, should I say.

 Reached Ahmedabad around 9 pm. Plan was to leave to Sasan the same night. Took taxi to the bus depart point, which was outskirts and connecting to the highway.

 Grabbed a quick dinner in a fast food shop. Rushed to the stop at 11 pm, bus was about to leave.

 Was a sleeper coach, the roads were excellent, got good sleep. But was woken up by cold wind seeping in through window. I was awake till Sasan.

Day 2 - Dec 21st:

 Reached Junagad at 5:45 am. Before I could figure out the bus to reach Sasan, one left at 6 am. Thanks to Guajarati announcement.

 Stepped out and reached the cross roads. Got a private bus, which took me to Sasan at 8 am.

 Met an engineer from Narmada fertilizer. He was visiting Sasan in regard to arrangements for upcoming Iran ambassador visits.

 He was kind enough to take me to Sinh Sadan and check out rooms. This being a holiday season, there were no rooms. I also had not booked my safari.

 And a a solo male traveler will be down the waiting list. I had to wait till the last Jeep to get a ride. Since I was alone and without prior permission.

 Thanks to a Kind hearted Bengali family, who obliged to take me along in their Jeep.

 The man was a Navy officer, who served for 17 years. He also spent few years in Bangalore commando hospital.

 He and his wife are married for 10 years.  His 2 daughters and his parents were accompanying.

 He was mentioning, there is very little freedom of speech or ideas in Armed forces.

 In fact, you are so bound by your superiors order, if you are asked to  shoot a rebel, you better do it or be killed yourself.

 He was planning to retire after 3 more years of service (20 years)

 The family reminded me of my bong connection, Father Mother, wife and husband and 2 tiny siblings.

 Name was prachi acharjee.

 Spoke about his life. He was quite satisfied with what has happened to Gujurat, bijli sadak and pani is what he quoted.

 Then moved on to the fort. Started with an huge ancient well. This was supposedly one of the first few step wells ever built. The name is Nagar Vav.

 This was quite deep (4-6 floors atleast) and probably used as a hide-out /escape route during enemy attacks.

 As I moved down, there were way too many pigeons and was scaring me off. Also it was quite dark and smelly.

 I retraced back to the top of the well.