
As the vagabond sets sail….
The essence of backpacking is unfurled….
The free flowing spirit sets in….
And the speed limit transcended.
The essence of backpacking is unfurled….
The free flowing spirit sets in….
And the speed limit transcended.

From the corpy squeeze…
Or a muddled expectation marred kinship….
Or an entangled spree…
To run the rallying engine in search of no-where…

Resurgence speaks….
Reincarnation beckons….
Those tire marks showing the route to salvation…
The playlist synchronizing with the friction….
Hotel California resounding all along!
With the zeal to break away from the prick…
To “moments” on the boulevard…
To drink and to feel her presence beside…
Those rugged terrains transcended in a Vroom…
The hankering for inner peace to drive us home!
A tank-ful of zeal is all we need….
To “moments” on the boulevard…
To drink and to feel her presence beside…
Those rugged terrains transcended in a Vroom…
The hankering for inner peace to drive us home!
A tank-ful of zeal is all we need….
The yearning for a change to feed….
With the steer in hand and the rainbow to chase….
The inspiration to drive out of the maze…Road-trip, you beauty,
With the steer in hand and the rainbow to chase….
The inspiration to drive out of the maze…Road-trip, you beauty,
You’re such a liberating phase..!"
“Nobody’s
perfect, I’m a nobody” – And here we are, talking of the idea of a perfect road
trip…a road trip that comes as a blissful respite, the road trip that offers
definite exceptions, the road trip that generates unscripted thrill, the road
trip the promises to deliver and does create an everlasting impression.
Well road trips, on the outset, can be classified broadly into two major types:
A.
Planned road trips- You run behind your boss for a stretch of weeks to get your
leave approved; get hold of a vehicle (personal or hired), estimate the miles to be
transcended, grab hold of an expedient company, decide your destination and
“set sail” on a fine Friday morning.
B.
Un-planned road trips- You do not even bother to inform anybody when this
sudden nomadic surge takes control; you are driven by the exuberance and
exhilaration of transcending those boundaries….your vehicle is your transporter
to paradise. No plan, no strategy, no contrivance, no estimate; it’s a spirited
free-run that doesn't know where to end, but it's impact does generate sweet
& enduring memories.
And
since we are definitely talking about a prospective bodacious encounter, certain
pre-conditions are definitely on the cards; these are definitely not
exhaustive, but would certainly ward off the slightest possibility of a wrack-up:
1. Rough estimate: Irrespective of a
planned or un-planned scenario, an adventurer must possess an initial
quantitative assessment of the distance to be traversed; the fuel reserve
must suffice for a major half of the forward purlieu in case of a rugged
jaunt. The “core” should be well lubricated before the expedition kicks
off in style.
2. Flexibility: Well when you’re on the
road, you got to have an amenable plan, both in terms of route and
destination. The road might turn out to be a maze that might create a
mirage in the “long run”….too rigid a projection could struggle to cater
to the inherent unpredictability associated with every mile on the drive.
3. Undaunted concentration: On the
highway, the free-spirited frolic could lead to disastrous repercussions
if the grip on the steer becomes queerly loose; “mazaa” might transform
into “saaza” within moments of imprudence. The External atrocities should not
have an effect on the driver’s fortitude; he should take this as a challenge that doesn't come in with the option of a re-trace.
4. Optimized volume of music: Playing
soft music on the drive has a two way benefit; it ensures the driver’s
composure and amicably enhances the underlying vehemence of the on-road expedition.
Drivers from across the globe have ascertained their favorite set of music decked up in a random shuffle mode to assist them in a relatively long rendezvous with speed.
5. Alternating control over the steer:
A road-trip that covers a distance of greater than 300 kilometers (approx) on the
stretch, should be embarked with a “steer-control-shuffle”; it’s identical to
sharing those small bits of happiness and thrill that the “mere control”
generates. Why should the chauffeurs have all the fun?
6. Keeping those liquor bottles away:
Intoxication could sound thrilling; believe me, it mostly does. But
the road, through her majestic elucidation, demands a perfect chronicle of
adherence and fidelity; it’s a silent protest that she launches if the “the mark respect towards the road”
drops even for fraction of a second. Her deathly mirages personify those testing hair-pin bends on a hilly expedition.
7. Diet control: “To read without
reflecting is like eating without digesting; to drive without the spirit
of unfulfilled contentment on the road is like a treat starting with Biryani yet ending with a half cooked bacon.” Hunger and rustiness on the
road could be mutually dependent; your decision, your strategy, your approach and those
outcomes have a direct co-relation with your physical prowess, and when I
say physical, I do cover the entire segment.
8. Staying AWAKE, sitting beside the driver: That’s
what I call a negative induction; it’s one of those very disparaging facts
that affect the mental composure of the chauffeur, in charge of the ride.
Happens with bikers too; they’re dismayed by the fact that the person resting at the back doesn't find appreciable interest in the cruise. The result could be adverse in many respects.
9. Switch off your mobile phone: Why allow
the spirit of “grumpiness” to dent heavily on your subconscious mind on the drive?
Perhaps your boss is unaware of the fact that you’re crossing a fogged marred
hair-pin bend? Perhaps your girl-friend is missing you on a cosy Sunday
afternoon? Save your battery on the run fella, give it a rest...Save your soul.
10. A camera to encapsulate those
moments: A picture never alters although the people in them might; that’s what
I call lucidity in the thinking process. A camera should definitely occupy
a portion of the back-seat, it would carry glorious cognizance from a trip
that would stay, stay for long enough.
Well,
people seem to make a perpetual mistake of associating road-trips with the crux
of Generation X; they call it a “channelized output of unscripted exhilaration
and fervor”. However, that indeed debatable since my first hand experience says
that the “control” increases proportionately with the growing years of perspicacity.
I have seen my dad conquering all the natural barriers on the enduring trips
from Itanagar to the highest ridges of Tawang, on the tricky stretch that
unravels the “on-road diversity” from Bombay to Goa or a traffic-marred affair
leading our way to the beaches of Mandarmani in West Bengal…the rides that
demand skill, proficiency as well as patience and endurance. “I love it when the
roads draw me close, I’m in a complicated relationship with the wide-open
stretches that head over to the horizon”, he says, “Driving across the exquisite
English countryside with glimpses of the ‘solitary reaper’ stirred me up and
filled me with boundless joy”….he continued, I could see his sparkling eyes as
he went deeper and deeper into those momentous chronicles. Yes, it’s a “magnetic
rapport”, he explains…..
“A
perfect road-trip, my friend, should have its intrinsic twists…it should test
your mettle and drive you to the edge”; asserted my globe-trotter pal. I smiled.
I could relate. I could feel the thrill yet again.
"Excerpts from my traveler’s
diary- Unedited and Uncut"
9/11/2010- Roadway from Guwahati to Itanagar via Tejpur (The Back-Seat)

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' - Memoirs of Conquering the North-East -'
|
The swirling pathway didn't help in the course either....
Enough of details I guess;
we could deal with him later! ...Let’s focus on the “speedy outside”..!!!
Perhaps this could keep me preoccupied at least for some time now. Well as I said, the
roads are wonderful and what lies beyond them is even more appealing. Those clusters
of huts embedded in the greenery with the villagers heading off to their
daily grind- Was it the country-side I had envisaged? Those sky-scrapping
mountains that lay beyond... they are looking spectacular in the background. Its’
a bit foggy today, even at close to noon, the peaks ain't clearly visible!!...Do
they bear a spur of “uncovered” mystery? Only time will speak. We are here for close to
a year or so, we'll excavate in due course of time I guess! ;). Hajong,
our Nepali driver, did start chanting a gullible local tune; he is really a
vibrant figure. “There’s a rumor”, he said, “A mass murder incident was
inflicted near Tejpur yesterday leading to road blocks”. Yes, that
was truly a rumor; the roads are “exquisitely deserted”..This silence draws me
close, very close!
Oh wait! Did I speak too
early? Man!! A group of ignorant buffaloes blocked our path! Driven by an
oblivious farmer, the “gang” is taking FOREVER to clear the pathway!...Arnab-da,
in the mean time has finished chatting with his wife and Akash’s sound nap has
been interrupted with the incessant honks. Time to get back to our discussion;
will keep writing. Cya.
12/02/2011- On the way to Tawang (Travelling in a military truck)
We could have missed the experience of a life-time had we denied the client’s offer; the initial nerves were literally blown away.
However, it did seem to be
the biggest mistake of our lives when our Gypsy stopped midway, cramped by the
thick and impermeable layer of snow. It was a 12-hour journey from Itanagar to
Tawang and we had started late in the evening so that we could reach there
early in the morning. We were just about to put the blame on our decision of
travelling at night when there was an amazing turn-around. A military truck was
passing by, grazing through the snow in search of ‘daylight’ – that was the
most ‘delight’-ful scene I have ever witnessed in my life. They stopped on the
way ahead and offered help. We couldn't dare say no; it was as if the "rescue squad" had arrived on time.
There were a few
breathtaking moments when an odd reckless punk drove across the slope, but the
serenity of the atmosphere and the Military driver’s competence were comforting
and reassuring. The cup of hot coffee and those bowls of “instant-noodles”
seemed like heaven in the shivering cold. We had just started chanting a few popular
tunes when the driver suddenly pulled the brakes. We were literally dumbstruck
to witness that death was just a few meters ahead of us; our truck stood on the
extreme edge of the slope, on the edge of death- The mysteries of Nature had
almost deceived us, but we were saved by an eternal bliss.
We were still recovering
from the shock, when Mother Nature unfolded her exotic charm in-front of our
eyes. Goodness gracious! It seemed like some un-known power had cast its spell
upon us. Hypnotized we were as the Nature waved its magic wand in-front of our
eyes. The ‘clouds of disaster’ SLOWLY moved away and the holy elegance of the Everest
announced itself in full vigor. The feeble early morning sun-rays were just her treasured
ornaments, her crown; her radiance...the shades on the snow-capped peak in the
reddish glow was un-thinkable. WE STOOD THERE in utter disbelief....there was
no sign of panic, no sign of anxiety, no sign of distress; The fear of Death
had almost overpowered us couple of minutes back.....yet we were engrossed in savoring
the best moment of our LIVES, undoubtedly the BEST.
The truck had restarted in the mean-while and the driver signaled us to get into the vehicle as soon as possible. We rushed to occupy our seats when my colleague exclaimed-“Nature is the best magician ever. Our official trip has been glorified!”
No wonder, given a chance, I would like to undertake yet another challenging ride, that would not only test my mettle, but address to the unquenchable thirst of testing my threshold.
- Perfect Road-Trip Route: Guwahati to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Cherrapunji via Shillong...
- Approximate Distance: 200 Kilometers
- Approximate Time Duration for the road-trip: 3 Hours (at Standard Driving Speed)
- On Road temperature: Pleasant, hovers around 15 Deg C close to the foothills but decreases as you ascend.
- Weather Condition: Cloudy,rainy and foggy mostly....
- Road Condition: Juxtaposition of decent and "below-par" on road experience primarily due to hilly blasts and civil cum archaeological bustle, plenty of greenery around as you drive closer to your destination.
- Envisaged Satisfaction Quotient: HIGH. The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is the ONE and ONLY one in the world, you gotta trek along the hilly slopes after you reach the destination. The thrill of a road trip would thus be magnified at the prospect of an experience of a life-time.
No wonder, given a chance, I would like to undertake yet another challenging ride, that would not only test my mettle, but address to the unquenchable thirst of testing my threshold.
Blue-Print:
- Approximate Distance: 200 Kilometers
- Approximate Time Duration for the road-trip: 3 Hours (at Standard Driving Speed)
- On Road temperature: Pleasant, hovers around 15 Deg C close to the foothills but decreases as you ascend.
- Weather Condition: Cloudy,rainy and foggy mostly....
- Road Condition: Juxtaposition of decent and "below-par" on road experience primarily due to hilly blasts and civil cum archaeological bustle, plenty of greenery around as you drive closer to your destination.
- Envisaged Satisfaction Quotient: HIGH. The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is the ONE and ONLY one in the world, you gotta trek along the hilly slopes after you reach the destination. The thrill of a road trip would thus be magnified at the prospect of an experience of a life-time.
Lens- Speak: An assorted collection from the road-trips to Arunachal, Bomdilla, Bhalukpong,Tawang and the North Eastern Frontier...
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That's how the "road to Tawang" unfurled itself...such a magnificent sight it was... |
We were in touching distance of our ultimate destination- TAWANG...! |
Even he needed a breather on the way from Bomdilla to Tawang & we didn't complain! |
That's when our transporter was resting, we took a dip into Nature's supreme glory.... |

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