Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here
1ST TRIP
It was still dark when I started driving early morning and left Muzzafarpur. North India is too foggy during this time, even in dark you see clouds of mist or white foggy lumps rushing at you in front of your car head lights. Its quite tricky to drive and there is hardly any visibility. It continued all the way. It didn't help much when I drove straight and took a wrong road towards Sitamarhi, instead of taking an instructed left turn that went to Gopalganj. And that morning, there was no one in the streets to ask for directions either. I sensed something wrong and went back to the fork where there was a split and left turn. Alas, I did reach Gopalganj. The area was too dirty ( pigs and filth everywhere ) and most part of the flyover was broken for repair works. I also unfortunately saw some tilted trucks and after some time I decided to halt and freshen up. Till noon, the fog was persistent and I had to follow other trucks so as to be on track. Also, I learnt to always drive over the painted white marks in middle of the road during such foggy stretches, and keep either the indicators or the parking/hazards lights on. By evening 5pm, I reached Ayodhya toll and parked near it for the night. This night was quiet and I had a good night's rest.
a golden coloured buddha statue welcomes you as you enter UP...
crossing toll plaza...
and miles to go before I sleep...
so peaceful...
After one crosses Gopalganj, theres a narrow bridge that one has to cross to reach UP. It was too crowded and had to wait almost 2 hours to cross that tiny bridge, one vehicle at a time.
2ND TRIP
On day 4 of my 2nd trip I had already crossed lucknow and halted the night in Kanpur outskirts near a petrol pump. That night was eventful as police kept knocking. I had parked just near the highway, so, I guess it was bit risky ( and also I learnt its illegal to park near the highway, my fault ). Early morning, I crossed Kanpur and reached Guna toll plaza where I parked for the night.
dhaba break somewhere near gorakhpur bypass...
plenty of random stops...
Just as I was clicking this green road sign ( pic below ), a man stood underneath it and was halting other cars with a gun in his hand ( at first I thought he was some cop doing checks ). I saw the gun much later, and wondered why all the cars were stopping. I was busy clicking picture of this sign. Later, when I saw what happened I could only thank my luck at what I narrowly escaped. Some places in UP are notorious for gun culture esp Kanpur/Jhansi. Didn't expect it it near Ayodhya o
On day 4th of my 3rd trip I had already crossed Shivpuri. I crossed Ayodhya in the evening of the 3rd day itself ( the above pic ). I did take a wrong road near Ayodhya and had to come back. Phew, its difficult navigating unknown roads at night, but I survived. ( At night I was awakened by 'jai shri Ram' chants and processions as it was during the inauguration of the new temple in Ayodhya ). Anyways, on this trip, I was almost two days ahead. I passed by the area near Indore by late noon where I went over the road-divider ( on my 2nd trip ). Again between Indore and Mhow, the road was dugged and there was slow traffic. On the ghat section, I had a freak incident where when I was driving at about 80-90 speed ( decent in my opinion for ghat region ), someone kept honking. I made way for him, but, he came and intentionally slowed the car in front of me. It was scary as he kept applying brakes right in front of my car ( there was no traffic at this point ). I didn't know what he wanted, but, after some time the car sped away giving me quite a scare. It was the Chambal area, I was reminded of dacoits. Were they modern day dacoits? Phew! Anyways, I was determined to reach early so drove on till I stopped for the night near Sendhwa toll plaza.
Linking to Skywatch & MyWorldThruMyCameraLens
Address : Gorakhpur, Ayodhya...
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
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I always love a good road trip.
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