Road trip to Raipur via Ajanta and Ellora

Well, guys, it was all for the pleasure of driving the Landrover Freelander2. Four of us, three Airforce fighter pilots, then Air india pilots now retired  and me,and with nothing better to do than go haring off across the country driving a Landrover!!The trip took us through Ahmednagar to Ellora where we stayed at the delightful hotel called The Meadows. Recommended for a leisurely, peaceful stay with good food at Four seasons their restaurant. Bonus for mewas that I managed to finish reading eight volumes of the animated Life of Buddha series! They were in the spa library! We visited Ellora, skimmed through only the main must sees and sweated our way back to the hotel. It was blisteringly hot.  

The drive turned out to be a pleasure most of the time with superb roads , especially the one called an AH! Asian highway it seems... Stayed in the Air Force station Maintenance Command Seminary hills. Went for a longish walk for old times sake, nostalgically strolling past the officers quarters. The next day it was a relaxed drive into Raipur and we checked into the swank new circuit house. Ofcourse Keru and Bapat would have preferred the old one and so would I!We visited Rajkumar college where Keru had studied and were driven around in a Jaguar!!! Bonus of the trip! the Landrover had sprung a leak in its radiator but they replace it in two days and we were back on schedule!

On the way back to Ajanta , I vow to go again during the rains, and then a nights stay at the cavalry mess in nagar. What luxury! All in all a relaxed, enjoyable trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coorg with friends

The next trip came out of the blue. A friend rang to tell us to come to Bangalore and accompany them on a road trip to Coorg. So off we went!! The drive wasn't too long and soon we were driving through forests and hills, past coffee and pepper plantations and into the little town of Madikeri! We had three days of driving through the lovely countryside visiting places of interest, eating superb Coorgi food and having the pleasure of the camaraderie of old friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travels in 2014

This year started with plans for trips, a trip or two to Goa while the season was on, and then we decided to visit Bhutan. There were plans for Nepal in the summer and Assam in September, and even a trip to Calcutta in November!
We did Goa with friends and then with family, and then a luxurious tour of Bhutan, in our own hired vehicle with accomodations booked in good hotels... ah! Odyssey did the needful and in March we set off. As every one has said time and time again its a happy country ruled with a firm hand, pretty, uniform, neat and tidy. The highlights included a driver who had been a monk and had left to marry his Chinese sweetheart, a wonderful hike up to the Tigers Nest monastery and we just loved the food! the local cheese with veggies, the pork and asparagus, the spicy salads and ofcourse the delicious soup! the countryside... well I will let the pictures

speak for themselves!
Our trip took us along the breadth of the country, from Thimpu through Trongsa and Jakar. We went to the countryside of the beloved cranes but they had left for their northern homes already. it is believed that they circle the Dzong of Gantey thrice when they arrive in Bhutan and when they leave on their migration. We drove to Bumthang and then came back to Paro and were there in time for the festival. What a feast for the eyes! Every town had a market day and the different farm produce was fascinating! Yeast for brewing the rice beer, Chang, and whey to drink, fresh goat cheese and bamboo shoot pickle! We came back with the schezuan pepper which tingles and then deadens the taste buds but has a wonderful aroma, cheese, woven baskets and souvenirs. Our driver Ngagong was a little short on linguistic skills but very long on his knowledge of the Tibetan religion and monasteries. We met his friend who is a monk and lives in the Tigers Nest monastery, a gentle soul, kind , patient and cheerful! His dream was to meet the Dalai Lama! It was a privilege to know him. He met us on the way down from the monastery with tea and biscuits and snacks!

When I stayed in the hotel in Punakha there was a treat waiting for me there, a book. "what makes you not a Buddhist". Its said that there are no coincidences so I feel that one of the reasons I visited Bhutan was this book. It answered a lot of my questions. It opened a door along this road of life.

I hope to go to Sikkim one day which will be along the lines of this wonderful country. I remember the friends I made with great affection. I love Bhutan.