Originally booked to fly from Varanasi to Bogh Gaya I had managed to switch to going by rail as I was keen to experience the legendary Indian railway network. However awoke to dense – and I mean dense!!! fog. All flights and trains grounded and cancelled. However the ever resilient Pandaw arranged for Raj, my driver to take me by road and then stay with me until I finally board the Katha Pandaw for my cruise down the Ganges.
We set off for what was estimated to be a 6hr drive on a good day, which with the fog, this definitely wasn’t. Indian motorways are either still being constructed or in serious need of repair! Raj managed to navigate the route and fog with a terrifyingly heroic drive of the white knuckle variety which at times I seriously thought was doomed to end in disaster.
Most of the time the fog obscured everything and most of the time I couldn’t look anyway!!
Memo to all Indians of things not to do on or near roads, let alone motorways…..
Do not drive on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic
Do not walk or ride bicycles, motorbike, tuk tuks or rickshaws across or on the wrong side of the road.
Try not to allow sacred cows (loads of them), goats, children or dogs to saunter onto or across the road
Do not drive large herds of sheep along the motorway
Antiquated farm and construction machinery should not crawl along the road in any direction
After several hours I was still unable to work out which were the fast and slow lanes. Needless to say there was no “hard shoulder” and just a series of ditches containing unrecognisably mangled vehicles and machinery.
Anyway after about 3-4 hours the fog started to clear and we made it to the hotel in Bodh Gaya after just under 6 hrs. One of the many Indian gods must have been looking after us.
An afternoon relaxing at the hotel and firing up this blog. Somewhat long winded so far but I’m taking advantage of decent Internet access before the usual problems with rivers and WiFi takes over.
Full immersion into Buddah world tomorrow. “Timing is everything” and the Dalai Lama is in town. So serious OTT security everywhere that I plan to go. Needless to say it is swarming with saffron & redrobed monks and pilgrims.
Where do they get all the petals and incense from???
Haha.😂 I was there in 1983 and I remember chaotic scenes. Ben and I would endure these white knuckle motoring experiences as our driver Prem Pareek would hurtle along swerving to avoid the sacred cows and all manner of obstructions. I must say I do envy you Robbie! Have a laugh and a lovely time. Penny xxx
Just loving your blog. Making me giggle ! Foggy journey sounds terrifying.