July 22, 2009

Celebrate the Open Road


Onward:
Mumbai – Andheri – Varsova – Thane – Shahpur – Kasara Ghats – Nasik – Sinnar – Shirdi

Return:
Shirdi – Sinnar – Ghoti – Igatpuri – Kasara Ghats – Shahpur – Thane – Varsova – Andheri – Mumbai
~~~

This is a concluding post to end this series with links to the seven previous posts on my road trip.

Roadtripping Sahyadris

As written in my first post, I had started this unexpected and unplanned trip not knowing where the road would take me. I liken it to what scientists do. Research is what it is called when they don't know what they are doing.

So I started in Mumbai and ended up in Shirdi and returned – a journey on a motorbike covering a distance of almost 590 kms in two and half days.

This journey in May through the peak of summer in the Sahyadris taught me how to meet challenges and build strength along the way. I did learn to appreciate all the more what I have, and what I do not have and above all, to appreciate good moments in a given day. It was about feeling something new at different places, watching and learning about nature, history, different cultures, and in general, to celebrate the open road that unfolded before me.

I ate local food, got sun-burnt, appreciated the good roads to cruise on, complained about the scorching heat a few times, listened to the sounds of nature, laughed a lot, and shot many pictures. There were chatty times and long periods of silence other times. Every bit of the journey was well worth it.

The feeling of freedom and anticipation of the unexpected when travelling the open roads is awesome. So, if you are a travel enthusiast like me, you need not make elaborate plans. To make such trips, you need neither wait for opportunities to come knocking at your door nor much money.

Just have the exuberance to travel, and you can create an opportunity yourself to get going. On the road even the most meticulous can let go. So let your unkempt hair fly while you gleefully scream on a lonely open road. This can be not only a good exercise for your lungs, but also de-stressing. With the right company, such journeys can be safe, interesting and entertaining too.

So, go ahead and try it. It’s real fun. Just pack a small backpack with bare essentials and fill up yours or your friend’s bike or car. No comb, no brush, no mirror, no shampoo? No problem! Forget about how presentable you are or how your hair looks, and keep moving. You'd be amazed at what you'd find on the road. Every sixty seconds spent well is a minute of joy to be cherished.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual journey with me. Happy travels.

- celine
~~~
Not all who wander are lost
~ Tolkien



25 comments:

indicaspecies said...

I am setting off on another trip tonight.

As usual, my travel time means no laptop, no internet, and no mobile! Will catch up on comments and blog reading upon return in a few days with more stories on snorkeling, and who knows..may be some scuba-diving and parasailing too! Ciao now!

Jay said...

Wow - you travelled all that way by motorbike? You are indeed intrepid! And you have my admiration!

I am not in the least intrepid and usually need a small suitcase for an overnight stay! LOL!

I do have my motorcycle licence though.

Mridula said...

Have a woderful new trip Celine. Waiting to hear about it.

Cuckoo said...

Celine, I have been reading all your posts and you know I have also traveled the same route, stayed at same Manas resort, ate at same Bhagat Tarachand. :-)

You must have read about that on my blog. Reading your posts again was like a 'deja vu' for me.

Thanks and all the best for next adventure. Looks like we'll again have some common activities like parasailing. :-)

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

What a beautiful photograph indeed!

Slow and Beautiful — Snail

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful photograph !! This is great too..Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan

Indrani said...

Great experiences shared. :)

My Unfinished Life said...

i love the pic of the road...it reminds of my favourite road trip!!!
yeah unplanned trips are the best!!!

GMG said...

Hi Celine!
Sorry for the long absence! But don’t you think it was a great vacation; some very busy weeks and just a few days off... ;)

I wish I could do it the way you made it; just travel...

Meanwhile Blogtrotter is still turning around Iceland, now in Waterland... Look forward to seeing you back! Enjoy and have a fabulous week!

Vinita said...

:) thats the only piece of tolkien i could relate to....looking forward to hearing abt ur next trip!

Anonymous said...

It was about feeling something new at different places, watching and learning about nature, history, different cultures, and in general, to celebrate the open road that unfolded before me.

I travel for the same reason. The freedom, the novelties, the feeling that I control where I want to go, that life can change in the blink of an eye, that the world needs to be traveled.

Freedom is great. Almost intoxicating.

Unknown said...

Rajesh - I have made it Top 12 in the great driving challenge competition. We are now working on getting into the Top3.

The Top3 get to drive 3000 kms over 10 days starting from mumbai. I need help with driving directions from mumbai to kalasubai peak, nanji sanctuary etc. Primarily wildlife destinations. If you can help send me a mail at suresh_anand@hotmail.com with your contact details and I could call you for the help...Thanks Thomas

AJEYA RAO said...

Nice new look to the blog

david mcmahon said...

The only thing better than a road trip is ....

TWO road trips.

Final_transit said...

A rolling stone gathers no moss. :) Keep going!

GMG said...

Hi Celine! So you're still on the road? Lucky girl... ;))

Blogtrotter is back to the «urban jungle», which Reykjavik is far from being... ;)). Enjoy and have a fabulous week!

indicaspecies said...

Jay,
Yes, I did. Thank you for dropping by and your kind words. Hope you set out on a journey soon.

Mridula,
Thank you. I had a good trip. Have just put up a post.

Cuckoo,
Thank you. Glad these posts revived your memories and yes, I do remember reading about your trip to these places.

Bhavesh,
Thank you for dropping by, and am glad you like the picture. It is one of my fav photograph too.

UR,
Thank you.

Indrani,
Delighted you feel so.

Sushmita,
Yes, they are the best. Which road trip did it remind you of?

Vinita,
You are welcome.

Zhu,
Thank you for an interesting comment and sharing your views dear traveler.

T&S,
Me or Rajesh? Anyway, for your competition, I wish you the best.

Ajeya,
Thanks. Just the background color is changed, nothing else.

David,
Haha..that’s a good one. Thanks for dropping by.

Priyank,
Thank you.

Gil,
Thank you. I’m back from another trip to Egypt and just put up a post.

alok said...

beautiful ...

& happy travels :)

Vamsee Modugula said...

What a great attitude you have!!

Vamsee Modugula said...

Forgot to mention that it was a very beautiful and well written post- felt like abandoning my 'planning-freak' nature and setting off on a trip.

indicaspecies said...

Alok,
Thanks.


Vamsee,
Thank you.
I'm glad my post helped somebody at least in some way. :D

交際 said...

スタービーチの突然の閉鎖、優良な友達探しサイトが無くなってしまいましたが、新生・スタービーチがここに復活しました!、進化を遂げた新生スタービーチをやってみませんか?理想の交際探しの手助け、合コンパーティー等も随時開催しています。楽しかった頃のスタビを体験しよう

神待ちサイト said...

「家出してるんで、泊まるところないですか?」家出救済神待ちサイトには毎日このような女の子からの書き込みがされています。彼女たちはホテルや家に泊まらせてあげたり、遊んであげるだけであなたに精一杯のお礼をしてくれるはずです

露出 said...

普通のプレイじゃ絶対味わえない快感、それは野外露出プレイ。最初は嫌がっていた女も次第にハマっていって、その内それが快感に変わってきます。野外露出プレイで興奮度アップ間違い無し

友達 said...

早い時期に結婚してしまって、少し後悔しているんです。私は、今の夫しか経験が無くって、このままでいいのかなって…。思うようになってきてしまって…冒険はしたいんですけど、やっぱりばれたりしたら怖いので…割り切りで会える方って居ませんでしょうか?連絡お待ちしてますね♪最初に年齢を教えてくれるとうれしいです。pop-music-lo-ve@docomo.ne.jp