GUJARAT TO JAMMU IN 11 DAYS: PART I

PART I: Khusboo Gujarat Ki

The Plan:
http://amitalks.blogspot.in/2012/07/gujarat-to-jammu-in-11-days-plan.html

Part-II:
http://amitalks.blogspot.in/2012/07/gujrat-to-jammu-in-11-days-part-ii.html

:: Fingers crossed for the tour ::

Fri, February 10th, 2012 : Bangalore to Pune

Gautam had already left for Mumbai the earlier day. For some unknown reasons, Vishnu was caught up with work until 5.45 PM. We rushed to catch the BIA-8, Sandeep joined us from Silkboard. After having snacks we got our luggage checked in and boarded SG 228 Spicejet from Bangalore @ 22.10 to reach Pune @ 23.25. We took pre-paid taxi to the Pune Railway station. Pune was as we expected, lots of students roaming on the streets around midnight and after. I had dinner at some random hotel near to station. The train left at 2am for Surat. Gautam also boarded the same train around 5am from nearby Mumbai station.

: Chintan weds Dinki ::

Sat, February 11th, 2012 : Pune to Surat

We reached Surat in the morning, the groom himself came to receive us in his Innova. Chintan then got us cocoa, an amazing beverage. That was the welcome drink of Gujrat. Preparations for the wedding had already started and we happened to be on time for Chintu's Haldi... We were treated with a variety of sweets every time we ate in Surat. People in Gujarat can kill by making you eat sweets.Dieting main bhi GAJAR KA HALWA khate hain... 

It was time to get ready for the marriage. We got to wear the "Turban" as the baraat was leaving for the marriage hall. Started with bursting the crackers, then fultoo dance. Got Chintu off from his white chariot to dance with us. The marriage was at THE GRAND BHAGWATI, a huge function hall where atleast 2000 people were there. We stayed back until the entire ceremony was completed, had dinner with the newly weds, and then reached back to crash @ 3 AM.

Sun, February 12th, 2012 : Surat to Bhuj Via Ahmedabad  

We were tired from the masti we had the previous night and so dropped the visit to Ahmedabad. We were woken up with a nice breakfast that included a dish called "LOCHA". This variety is available only in Surat, and people throng in huge lines to take it. It was really nice of chintan's dad, to get this for us as he had to stand in the line at 6AM in the morning, this after the marriage. After having breakfast, uncle took us on a visit of their factory. It was an educational visit with uncle explaining us all the steps in the fabrication of cotton cloth for sarees. Sandeep was to go on his MAMA visit, so we came back for lunch. Again, lunch was so overloaded with sweets that we were hardly able to walk afterwards.

Around 4 PM, we left for Ahmedabad by a local train, as our train to Bhuj starts from Ahmedabad. It was a heavily crowded train which we managed to board and threw the luggages here and there with least care. We were sweating due to the crowd as well as the temperature. After 2 hours the crowd thinned and we got seats to cool ourselves. On reaching Ahmedabad, had dinner at Comesum ,and we started playing cards to kill some time. We then boarded the train 00:00 hours to Bhuj (T.No 19115 BDTS-Bhuj Xpress).

Mon, February 13th, 2012 : Bhuj

:: View point from Kaladunger ::

At the check point, we had to take permit (Rs 100 per head plus Rs 50 for vehicle) to enter Rann of Kutcht. They scan your ID card as well. From the checkpoint, we went on towards Kaladungar hill which is the top most view point in Greater Runn. The hill has three magnetic regions where Hiren (our Cab driver) demonstrated the effects of magnetic pull. Our Indica was pulled uphill on its own from 0 kmph upto 30 kmph and even 60 kmph where the magnetic region was longer and road was less steep. On reaching this view point, we could see the greater white runn and it is said that Pakistan can be viewed from here but the fog didn't give us a clear View

view.

:: Sham-e-Sharhad ::

Then, we came back to the checkpoint and moved on towards the white runn desert. On the way, there is a resort Shame-e-Sarhad at Hodka where you can buy handicrafts or go for stay in the tent as well.

As we approached the white salt bed, the desert converted into marsh land and the land was dressed in white everywhere. Our cab got stuck in the marsh land. Another tourist group helped us to pull out the Indica from the marsh land. It took almost 1.5 hrs. Had it been Sunny Deol there, woh apne dhayi kilo ke haath se car ko aise hi dakkha de ke nikal deta... LOL!!

Soon after we were out of  trouble, we centered  the salt bed which was still wet with sea water. We were literally walking on a thick bed of salt where we stayed for 2 hours until the sunset. It was quite an experience!!! It is said that on a full moon night, the desert looks like the moon itself, crystal clear and white.We could not experience that as we  had to return back to our hotel.

We reached the hotel around 9 PM.  After having dinner at Royal Park, we went for a stroll to the Fort nearby. We were very tired for the day so retired for the day forgetting it was valentine day

Tue, February 14th, 2012 : Bhuj to Abu Road

We visited various places viz. Swamy Narayan Temple, Vijay Villas Palace, and Mandavi beach. "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" movie was shot in the Vijay Villas palace. The auto-rickshaws in this region had a look as if made from Royal Enfield - very different. On the way back from Mandavi beach, we saw the place where huge boats / wooden cruises are made.

:: Swamy Narayan Temple ::

:: Vijay Villas Palace ::

:: Camel Ride @ Mandavi Beach ::

:: Some action for the camera :: 

We were so engrossed in the beauty of Bhuj, that we almost missed our train to Abu Road. We barely reached the station, just 5 minutes before the departure at 4.15pm. We took the Bareilly Express (T.N. 14322) to Abu Road.

READ FURTHER FOR THE ROYAL RAJASTHAN EXPERIENCE....coming soon!!!