Today's route: 9:20am from Malshej Ghat after filming and photographing an amazing sunrise ‘til 7am from the top of the water tank on the retreat property (with the permission of the staff, of course). Nice start, then got slowed down and rode out much later than anticipated. Rode ‘til about 12:30pm, then took the jeep and arrived in Takli, somewhat ahead of our goal for the day around 3pm.
Weather: Must have been close to some 40 degrees, wind is coming right from the front and even downhill we have to push hard. On top of things, Wiebke’s exposed body parts starting to look like a tomato. Sun, sun, sun and little shade from trees or anything else on the way.
Cycled: 32km on the NH222 towards Takli, which was supposed to be downhill for the next 40km. Well, that wasn’t quite the case. We panted, started using our Ortlieb caps instead of the helmets with little ventilation and I (Wiebke) ranted but still stopped ever so often as the scenery and the people we saw were just too good to just pass by. But this has got a downside to it as well, as the balance between finishing early hours to avoid the worst heat and documenting our journey in pictures is not an easy one to get right.
Didn't cycle: As it became harder and harder for Wiebke to ride in the sun and the mountains would just not end, we decided to hitch a ride again. Some three lorry (truck) drivers said ‘no’, so we got a private jeep again and drove some 70km through the next couple of ghats (mountain passes), happily leaning back in the car, eating the driver’s packed lunch box empty and sleeping off until we reached the nicest dhaba we’ve seen so far. Beds were used as seats and wooden boards were put across them to make for a table. Beautiful ceramic pots were used for holding the drinking water and the kitchen looked really clean. It so happened that we came to sit next to the table of the owner of the place, Papu. In no time we ate his lunch too until ours arrived, ate more and took off with Papu, who arranged accommodation for us at a hostel for government officials. What a welcome into Takli!
Ate & drank:
8:30am: Aminos with water, chai (typical Indian tea with lots of sugar and even more milk) and upma (sticky rice dish with chillies in it) for W. and Paha for K.
On the bike: plenty of nut and Enersol with water breaks, any excuse to stop in the shade on a hilly incline
1:30pm: lunch box of the driver of the jeep with roti and veg curry
2:15pm: dhal tadka, mix vegies, roti, 2l water
9:00pm: dhal, veg curry, rice, roti, 1l water
Highlight of the day: The beautiful setting at the Dhaba outside Takli. Indians certainly have a different sense for aesthetics and beauty but this one was just inviting and beautiful.
Health Check: Wiebke heavily frustrated, seriously sun burnt and exhausted on all levels. Need Wiebke’s long-sleeve tunika couriered to a location on the way somehow, applying the sunscreen is just not enough...
Stayed at: A small room with one single bed in a hostel for government officials in Takli. Kalyan slept on our therm-a-rest mats on the floor, lucky Wiebke got the bed. Cost 200rs without receipt, paid to the caretaker of the property.
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