Television Trip - Day1

A hectic day....ended well!

Due to unprecendented USUAL reasons the early morning departure has been delayed by over 5 hrs. The cycle rider is requested to keep his frustration level low and make as much as possible from what he has got. Thank You!

Got back from Sangli that morning at say 11:30 and hurried for an early lunch to avoid carrying it. Had gone to Sangli to get a carry mat. The night before it dawned upon me that I had donated my mat when leaving Mumbai. Paid this cost of a hectic drive to Sangli and back in that shivering morning and so this delay!

Had lunch. Bid goodbye to Mom and there I was ready to go.......Pankya gave a peddle-start to my trip and I was off at 12:30PM. Starting from Hatkanagale I had to reach Gaganbawada (80KMs) before dark in order to keep some daylight time to hook up my tent. With serious doubts I kicked the peddle......reached Kolhapur(24KMs)....met Sunny on the way, bought some sundry things at Papachi Tikati, and passed this KM stone at Rankala(2PM).

Then deciding to stop only at Bawada after this point looked down and started peddeling on the tunes of Lonely Planet Title Music. The road was familiar so not much excitement. Some patches as I rode further were uneasy on my butts on the hard seat but was going at a good pace without wasting time taking pictures on the way.


Reached Bawada(5:30PM). Had enough daylight to give some time to relax before I hunt for a camping site so had misal paav and Frooty at "Chavan Guesthouse". Kept the bag there and headed to Gagangiri to catch the sunset. It was pleasant but just a simple one. For me some cumulus clouds always add more beauty to the sunset/sunrise. But here just some stupid Cirrus, thats it. However, it was pleasant!

Anyways, luckily got some pix with a dying battery. Liked one spot for camping on the way to Gagangiri but it being a little into the jungle and dusk time, I held my urge to try that and looked for some local ppl to talk about any prospective safer places. I am scared of Wild Buffaloes and Bisons..and there are a lot in that area. Some guys advised to stay near the houses to avoid any possible interaction with the wild in the night. Some said it's absolutely horrendous even in the village area, anything can come in the night. After some more asking got bugged with these mixed responses. Then I finally developed an uncanny way of concluding whether to camp out or get into some guesthouse. So, it goes like this - after that point I asked whoever I came across, and the first instant the positive responses got a majority over negative ones I stopped. 3 positive , 2 negative...positive wins....screw it...stop asking.....put a tent here! :D And this idea of collecting responses was tried and "TESTED OK" almost every night there after. Ask ppl, let the positive response win, conclude, camp and have fun! Heee Haaaw!

So the first night..a little tired..butts complaining a little, hooked myself at a school playground. Had Mom's packet for dinner. Meantime had befriended some local guys there - road workers ,who were also camping nearby. Joined them and had Dashmi, Vangi, Dahi-Bhaat and some sweet while they relished on Chicken Rassa. Sitting infront of fire in between their huts was a nice experience. Spent some time with them and then with some more guys who were intrigued looking at my tent.

Later left alone under the clear sky.....a small campfire, Guns n Roses music, cool breeze and silence was a nice time..finally the tiredness made me feel sleepy by 11PM. Sneaked into my tent and into my sleeping bag...cozily thinking something. .....and that was a good start of the trip, YEAH!