We’ve got quite a distance to cover and so set out early by about 6am. It’s as though the rain was holding up just for us and as soon as we get into the cars to be on our way out, it starts to pour cats and dogs. In fact, visibility is so poor, we can barely see 10 feet in front of us. It takes us some time to get out of the city, but once we cross Borivali and hop onto NH8, its six lanes all the way to Ahmedabad. The rain lets up after we get out of Mumbai, barring a few patches.
Since the road is quite good, most of us, except the driver of course, manage to catch up on sleep in the comfort of the A8’s reclining massage chairs in the rear. Another benefit of having such good roads is that you can actually make use of the cruise control feature. This is an opportunity that one comes by rarely on Indian highways.
We make good time and reach Ahmedabad by around 4pm. Since the drive has been quite uneventful so far, we decide to be a little adventurous and take an alternate route through Modasa via SH59. And it turns out to be a very good decision. We manage to spot some wildlife en route – Nilgai and peacocks. Our photographer is overwhelmed by the photo ops he gets.
A word of advice though, be cautious when you see a Nilgai. Maintain your distance as they tend to charge if provoked. Our photographer ventures a little too close to one and is nearly disembowelled by an irritated Nilgai for his troubles.
The road is decent for the most part although some sections are quite rough and slows us down. We end up reaching the hotel in Udaipur by 9pm.
Another long leg done. Tomorrow, we drive all the way to the nation’s capital.
We keep a close watch on the forecast as that part of the country has received very heavy rainfall and there have been reports of landslides and floods. Hopefully, it won’t rain on our parade.
Sergius Barretto
Rishaad Mody
Avik Chattopadhyay
