Having left Jamnagar: Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Having left Jamnagar and inching towards Dwarka, apprehension was over the duration of stay in the temple town as the issue of accommodation coupled with seamless transition from one point to another confronted me. Not discounting the fact that the commute from Ahmedabad to Jamnagar via Rajkot was a picture of comfort given the unhindered passages the different vehicles got and the apprehensive thoughts that had yet to float.

Had to vacate the seat in the initial part of the journey as the bus left the Jamnagar depot and headed towards Khambaliya. The woman was carrying and seeing no surge of interest from any side it was appropriate to vacate the seat i occupied. Having secured the seat later the apprehension had scaled down by a notch or two as the seat i occupied was instrumental in keeping at bay the probable frightening sights. And by the time i was in Dwarka, the tendency to strut with the luggage was a natural act followed by queries on lodges which could be durable to ensure the long-lasting durability. After frenetic search i could reach to a lodge next to ISKCON Temple and the stay proved uninterrupted for the next six days.

The next day after Dwarkadish Darshan, the next halt happened to be Nageshwar for which a covered Chakda commute i had no quantum of aversion. Amidst 10 people who occupied the Chakda hoping to reach their respective destinations, i was on the side where most occupants happened to be one comfortable with mobile and giving updates as and when they had been through their session of rile. Post Advent passage (i could not sight the movie they were running) it was the railway crossing that saw the gates closed and here there was a sample of vehicles that seem to be inching towards the destination and nearby. Most on this end and the opposite side comprised of Chakdas and other mini buses, content with the number of passengers they were ferrying and hoping similar numbers would time and again keep on appearing.

Having kept my tryst with Nageshwar intact, the hard part began from here when no Chakdas going towards Mithapur could be sighted. Sighting of Chakdas was possible plausibly made possible by the surging crowd but none appeared to be heading towards Mithapur bout. After much persuasion i latched on to a one that dropped me at Gopi Talab, perhaps illustrating the two- km stretch all i had to content with as agonishing wait was all i had to trend with. THere was a collection of young girls barely in their teens and all gung ho about going to Mithapur. The query pointed at me was the place i hail from and my poser on classes they were enrolled in saw them read out different numbers; some not even three and yet moved by outspoken nature of their compatriots and revealing they were in classes beyond breach. The crowd was not intimidated by chakdas which refused to take them on board and their no-hurry agenda showed they had enough time to float. Wished them best for their simplicity and i hopped on to a one that actually intended to go to Mithapur.

The stretch from Gopi Talab to Mithapur has been in a state of disrepair for long and perhaps by the time i try this again in future hope the road would be tall and sturdy enough to withstand the rupture the different modes of vehicles unleash. It was half past one and i was in Mithapur to take another shared auto towards Jetty. In Jetty by two in the afternoon, the amount of dirt that had settled on the face and head had to be emptied before i could make the next outing and declare free of fatigue. The stretch between Mithapur and Jetty has trucks and diesel emitting vehicles taking a repeated shot and if one is not appropriately covered the head to toe rupture one can find it difficult to subvert .
THE GMB canteen came handy and equally handy was the tap located in a corner which had ample water in reserve. The wait was another one and a half hours before the vessel made its intention to move. Intent to carry on board as many passengers it could load the ride was not patchy and by half past six i was back from Bet Dwarka rendezvous. That was the second day of my six-day halt at Dwarka and the passage to Okha and beyond the other days was not that patchy and still something that travellers like us would keep in their memory blast.

Having left Jamnagar: Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Having left Jamnagar and inching towards Dwarka, apprehension was over the duration of stay in the temple town as the issue of accommodation coupled with seamless transition from one point to another confronted me. Not discounting the fact that the commute from Ahmedabad to Jamnagar via Rajkot was a picture of comfort given the unhindered passages the different vehicles got and the apprehensive thoughts that had yet to float.

Had to vacate the seat in the initial part of the journey as the bus left the Jamnagar depot and headed towards Khambaliya. The woman was carrying and seeing no surge of interest from any side it was appropriate to vacate the seat i occupied. Having secured the seat later the apprehension had scaled down by a notch or two as the seat i occupied was instrumental in keeping at bay the probable frightening sights. And by the time i was in Dwarka, the tendency to strut with the luggage was a natural act followed by queries on lodges which could be durable to ensure the long-lasting durability. After frenetic search i could reach to a lodge next to ISKCON Temple and the stay proved uninterrupted for the next six days.

The next day after Dwarkadish Darshan, the next halt happened to be Nageshwar for which a covered Chakda commute i had no quantum of aversion. Amidst 10 people who occupied the Chakda hoping to reach their respective destinations, i was on the side where most occupants happened to be one comfortable with mobile and giving updates as and when they had been through their session of rile. Post Advent passage (i could not sight the movie they were running) it was the railway crossing that saw the gates closed and here there was a sample of vehicles that seem to be inching towards the destination and nearby. Most on this end and the opposite side comprised of Chakdas and other mini buses, content with the number of passengers they were ferrying and hoping similar numbers would time and again keep on appearing.

Having kept my tryst with Nageshwar intact, the hard part began from here when no Chakdas going towards Mithapur could be sighted. Sighting of Chakdas was possible plausibly made possible by the surging crowd but none appeared to be heading towards Mithapur bout. After much persuasion i latched on to a one that dropped me at Gopi Talab, perhaps illustrating the two- km stretch all i had to content with as agonishing wait was all i had to trend with. THere was a collection of young girls barely in their teens and all gung ho about going to Mithapur. The query pointed at me was the place i hail from and my poser on classes they were enrolled in saw them read out different numbers; some not even three and yet moved by outspoken nature of their compatriots and revealing they were in classes beyond breach. The crowd was not intimidated by chakdas which refused to take them on board and their no-hurry agenda showed they had enough time to float. Wished them best for their simplicity and i hopped on to a one that actually intended to go to Mithapur.

The stretch from Gopi Talab to Mithapur has been in a state of disrepair for long and perhaps by the time i try this again in future hope the road would be tall and sturdy enough to withstand the rupture the different modes of vehicles unleash. It was half past one and i was in Mithapur to take another shared auto towards Jetty. In Jetty by two in the afternoon, the amount of dirt that had settled on the face and head had to be emptied before i could make the next outing and declare free of fatigue. The stretch between Mithapur and Jetty has trucks and diesel emitting vehicles taking a repeated shot and if one is not appropriately covered the head to toe rupture one can find it difficult to subvert .

THE GMB canteen came handy and equally handy was the tap located in a corner which had ample water in reserve. The wait was another one and a half hours before the vessel made its intention to move. Intent to carry on board as many passengers it could load the ride was not patchy and by half past six i was back from Bet Dwarka rendezvous. That was the second day of my six-day halt at Dwarka and the passage to Okha and beyond the other days was not that patchy and still something that travellers like us would keep in their memory blast.

Having reached Ahmedabad city

Having reached Ahmedabad city

Having reached Ahmedabad city, the one known for its simplicity, illustrating the desires of many to root themselves in a state that is known for its pragmatic take. The stay in Ahmedabad was for four days, starting from Sunday and coming to an end on the morning of Wednesday.
Perhaps the lodge near relief road where travellers like us hold their court, was meant to give the elaborate stay the meaningful stay, coming on board three movies from Hollywood tray. Peacemaker, The Hulk and Mission Impossible 3 were made plausibly possible to watch as the room had tv and others who were keeping a close watch. The strides were to Food Joints in the vicinity and the food being elaborate and showing us the way to being all-weather witty.

Public transport was tried for going beyond DElhi Darwaza and the Camp visited on a Tuesday was enough to relay thoughts on the same one that happened to be a six-year-old fray. By wednesday, the time was appropriate to head towards Rajkot and beyond and here the ST bus was most immaculate in its design to make us reach Rajkot in a record time. Beyond Rajkot the commute was shared between a maxi cab carrying 10 or more persons and a ST bus that seemed to be a fresh roll out from the factory perhaps never been out of the state and to a new territory. By late evening i had reached my destination and Bangad Bhawan showed the least inclination. Perhaps other lodges were not tied by the concept of single and they entertained whoever stayed within limits to mingle. The visit to Okha and beyond were considerably exhaustive and bringing on board the residents desire to be not repetitive. Most on the morning of Okha visit could be seen handling household chores and there the Chorus for Lord Govinda Grew when i spottted the Lord's poster on the highway glue. Perhaps the return trip to ST bus depot saw me deboard the bus near the poster and i collected all plausible information on the area where Lord had a new territory to give voluble direction. Perhaps the visit to the place would be tried some time later.

Why are there no locker facility at Siddhivinayaka? Or is it a case of not knowing it.

Triambek and beyond

When i reached Gwalior there was something to fear. Though i was in battle gear, the dogged refusal to extend my train journey to Manmad saw me enter a territory that i was least expected to share. Going beyond platform, the first foray was towards the current reservation where those expected to hand out ticket were cracking jokes and expecting those in the queue to be no less than blokes. Having made queries on the seat availability front, it was met with a response that saw me and others grunt. No clear picture could be provided as the staff on the other side declared that all train charts had been prepared till 11 the next morning even though it was 9 the previous night. Tried to console that head TC office (platform 1) where i was directed to make further queries could break the logjam but here it was a picture of more discomfort and most in their cash registering form.

Wait was all that i could do and this period saw me go to Sooraj Medical store for headache relief and Jain Misthana Bhandar (opposite Sai Bhoj) for tea belief. At both places the personnel were good and handed me combiflam and tea that could inspire the agenda of brood.
Finally after much persuasion to myself i boarded the Karnataka Express and reached Manmad the next day with a journey spent across people who were good at heart. Except for two army jawans, the other jawans were equally wonderful for the compassion architect they were glued. Had it not been for this sleeper class ride, i would have failed to come across these men, women and babies who rose to the occasion and were wonderfully bright. They were supposed to get down at Kurduvadi, supposed to come at 10.08 at night and i got down at my station at some minutes past four when the SUN was equally bright.

At Manmad station i reached for Mohat kirana store for jaggery and post jaggery infusion i was back to my train commute to Nashik Junction. The commute onwards was to Triambek where when i reached most residents were awake. A little over 17 hours i had my luggage in the hotel room, for which i had to go beyond 400 plus cash zoom. The stay was wonderful in the town and this time Brahmagiri was not in the itinerary round.

When i left Triambek, there was one lady who was shouting in the bus and she was made known the displeasure the commuters were having. When Nashik was touched, Sharanpur Road was the target the scooterwallah fetched. Not a routine road by any standards (buses don't ply on this stretch), i am of the belief that in two years' time it would see buses plying and more commuters not escaping and trying. Post ticket purchase which read the status of waiting list 13, the next day i somehow managed to get in the train with a waiting list three and saw the Gujarat Mail reach the destination with no extra fee.
Gujarat saw me share wonderful stories about resilience and a new gear.

THe best three days in Ahmedabad

The vehicle that has disdain for traffic rules

THe search for meal to be followed by cyber cafe deal took me to a place, known in local parlance as Bhavani Mandir, intersped with a scooterwallah who was as notorious as he could afford to be and i being told to get down at Bhawani Mandir. Trying to board another scooter for the unreliability quotient the previous one had flaunted, there was this white coloured vehicle with a Haryana number plate, the digits read 8880 or 8888, and the menacing way in which it came surging towards us showed the utter disregard for traffic rules these big movers of machines have who have their mental adapatability touching their feet.
If that was not enough the bus ride back to Roopalee saw the conductor flaunt his temperamental skills and a query to him on his conduct was met with a response: "Yeh public sar pe charti hai aur aisa karna jaroori hai."