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joseph's avatar
01:52 AM
09 August 2009
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Who da’man!

Posted By joseph

Our journey began at Gorbhander, Thane in New Mumbai. Gorbhander is home to the sprawling housing community of Hiranandani Estates and is quite far removed from the madness of Mumbai. The roads leading up to the drive are fast, smooth and very easy to get lost in if you’re a first timer - as we realized. We hadn’t started using the Gogo GPS system or the SatNav yet, so we were directed to our friend’s place by the good ole auto rickshawdrivers. Anyhoo, we reached the place, crashed to bed and woke up early to start our journey to Daman.


Driving to Gorbhander and the Tripmeter (B) reset to 0.0 before we kicked off.


In the morning, I switched on GogoIndia’s GPS Unit and we started off for Vapi (Gujarat) directed by the friendly female voice. We hadn’t yet had our breakfast but our new Cedia got its breakfast quite early in the morning at the HP pump near Pilhar - a village 70kms from Vapi in Gujarat.


Breakfast for Blackhawk at HP petrol pump


First signs of our entire route-plan!


Our breakfast stop was next at Vithal Kamat’s. As any restaurant with the word “kamat” in it, this place too had fantastic south indian fare - or atleast it seemed so to our starved tummies! The place was oddly pagoda shaped and tons of funny signboards around.


Vithal Kamat’s; yes parking at Owner’s risk - especially if you drive a heavily stickered beauty! :D


Vithal Kamat’s - the place, the people and the signs


A while down the road we found this HUGE truck with a strange big cylinder at the back. Obviously we stopped for a shoot!


Namrata captured the driver’s seat while I was busy ogling at Blackhawk. :D


Though she had issues with the clutch response initially, she quickly adapted to it to take charge for a while.


I noticed the greenery for a change as we headed closer to Vapi


After crossing Vapi, we realized that finding Daman was not so easy after all. Of course, the locals and the policement helped in spades!


Once you are in Udvada, it is quite easy to find Nani Daman - you just follow the road and ensure you stop at the red light at the world’s smallest traffic signal circle, seriously you should see it!  While Namrata got busy interviewing the local boatsmen (their lives and their living), I found that rather than shoot the boats, it was much better to hunt for my own stories.


The rusted metal of a cold-storage tanker, fish and assorted sea-food are transported in these tankers!


The Nani of Nani Daman, or rather just a grandmother and her kid. This charming woman has been a resident of Daman for the past 61 years and she told us that Daman is pretty much forgotten land. Tourism never really took off and she was pretty sure that the kid (Mihir) would grow up and leave Daman to head for greener pastures.


In our quest to find parking for Blackhawk we ended up finding the entrance into the Nani Daman fort itself.


The fort’s courtyard is also home to the Stella Maris school of Daman. The school is housed in two buildings, one of which is also a church dating back to the early 20th century.




Along with the school and the fort, the courtyard also has the entrance to a cordoned off graveyard!
A grave situation


Lunch was at the Hotel Miramar - fish, prawns and more. All listed in our previous post.


With our tummies full, the car cleaned by the boys at the hotel, we set off for Surat! The journey to Surat was quite uneventful and our first sighting on entering the city was the Mitsu Showroom! The owner of the dealership, Mr. Tarun Gora, came down to meet us and asked a lot of questions about the “teen hazaar kilometre waali kaantest”! smile


Here we are @theshowroom!


And with that, we settled down to end the day at the Hotel Yuvraj, and tucked in Blackhawk for the night. 320kms through and a wink of sleep was the first thing to get.
At the end of the day


Dinner is served - puri with shrikhand!


Of course, the centre of attraction in ALL the shots was the Cedia Sports - da man of Daman! In the end, we realized how incidental the car was to the key aspect of the day - travelling to new places and the thrill of discovery. Our first day made us realize no matter how great the car, it is the journey, the places, the destination and the company, that make for the most unforgettable.


Or maybe this car is so darn good, that it can relegate itself to the background and let you enjoy the experience all through. Maybe.

joseph's avatar
01:30 PM
08 August 2009
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At the Vintage Villa of classic cars, dr…

Posted By joseph

At the Vintage Villa of classic cars, droolin over the sports tourers. Got here after blastin the 88km NE1 Expressway in 42mins! Cedia, take a bow!

namrata's avatar
09:24 AM
08 August 2009
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Simba, Nala & Blackhawk at the elephant graveyard

Posted By namrata

Daman, a union territory between Maharashtra and Gujarat, was the first stop on our journey. A Portuguese colony for over 450 years, Daman & neighboring Diu only joined the republic of India in 1961. Largely a settlement of fishermen, two big towns – Nani Daman & Moti Daman – constitute this territory. Ironically Nani Daman (nani means small in Gujarati, while moti means large/big) is the larger of the two towns.


As we pulled into Udwada and crossed the railway phatak to reach Nani Daman, we couldn’t help but notice the many bars, and wine shops that lined the streets. Chatting with the staff at the Hotel Miramar, our afternoon pit-stop, we learnt that bootlegging was quite rampant and the wine really does flow quite freely in the neighboring dry state of Gujarat.


Railway crossing

Let the good times begin, I say!


Visiting the Fort of St. Jerome, and the Church of the Lady of the Sea that is located within the fort’s premises was our primary objective. Driving through some narrow and leafy lanes of Daman, moving towards the sea-side, we first spotted the light-house on the jetty. A few feet away from the rocky shore, stood the little Fort of St. Jerome.


On the jetty


Light-house = khamoshi


In hibernation


After taking a few shots of the jetty and the lighthouse, we ventured towards the back entrance of the fort to drive inside. But to do that we had to sneak the Blackhawk between some intimidating giants. The stretch along the rocky shore, between the front and back entrances of the fort, was lined by huge boats, pulled back onto land to rest before the next fishing season. These giants were being readied by their masters to become sea-worthy by the fifteenth of this month, when the Coast Guard would give them permission to enter the high seas again. All around us, the brawny fishermen, repaired nets, and patched their vessels as we tried to tread unnoticed between them. The enormous size of these boats made our trusted steed quite pale in comparison for a few moments. With both windows rolled down, and a little afraid of nicking the car and waking these sleeping ogres, for a second I was reminded of that scene in The Lion King when Simba & Nala unwittingly stumble into the forbidden elephant graveyard.


Netted


Beware of ogre!


Nani fort too?


Mein aur mere classmates


We quickly sought sanctuary within the fort where we were surprised to find a fully-functional school running within the church building. Alive and safe, Simba, Nala & the Blackhawk then went crazy taking some wonderful snaps, but those you shall see in another post. 

joseph's avatar
05:20 AM
08 August 2009
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Day 2 begins

Posted By joseph

Page 14 of 23 pages « First    12 13 14 15 16 >  Last »


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From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 17th Aug 09 12:59:02 PM

Beautiful drive from Nashik to Bombay, one of THE best roads we have driven on!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 16th Aug 09 03:20:55 PM

Bright, blue sky.. Cotton candy clouds.. We head to Nasik

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 15th Aug 09 03:54:33 PM

In pot-hole territory. Thank god we are on empty stomachs!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 14th Aug 09 01:17:21 PM

300km from home! :) :) racing to indore!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 14th Aug 09 12:08:08 PM

2361 Shivpuri

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 13th Aug 09 04:10:44 PM

10km from Gwalior, pulled over by the police to be asked Kya yeh sports gaadi hai? ;D

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 13th Aug 09 03:43:28 PM

Had breakfast AND lunch today! Niiiice! :D

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 02:42:18 PM

Tan! Tandan!! .. Aaja aaja dilli chhodein! .. Delhi dropped from plans. We head straight to Agra!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 01:46:03 PM

It s hot at the Hawa Mahal! :|

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 11:41:21 AM

At Akad Cars, the Mitsu showroom. Mr. Abhinav, the MD, is tellim us the best way around Jaipur.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 09:13:27 AM

Good morning world! We are in Jaipur! Today s objective: getting Joe a pink shirt/kurta ;)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 07:55:47 PM

On NH8, long day comin to an end.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 04:51:56 PM

Dust storm outside, but IIM Outdoors is snugly cocooned in the Blackhawk :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 01:51:31 PM

Leaving Jodhpur ... On our way to Ajmer.. Hoping to visit the dargah today .. Jodhpur was beautiful! *sigh*

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 12:20:07 PM

Just had a long conversation with Mr.Brijraj Singh - great-grandson of HRH Ratan Singh .. Visit to Mehrangarh Fort delayed

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 08:52:51 AM

Just got up, not a single post been uploaded so far, gotta hurry.. ttyl :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 07:56:44 PM

In Jodhpur old markets - SHOPPING!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 06:47:10 PM

As the sun sets, we enter Jodhpur, today s travel - 396km, but not feeling blue at all :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 04:50:05 PM

100 km away frm jodhpur, horrible truckyktraffic on the way. Had lunch for the second time in four days! :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 9th Aug 09 02:27:22 PM

Just had tea with Mr.Dhanraj Mallik, Rann veteran & advisor to the BBC. Right now, on our way to discover some salt pans, thts how we spend our Sunday! ;)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 9th Aug 09 12:05:24 PM

On state highway 07. Namrata s driving while I m writing and Enrique s crooning.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 8th Aug 09 07:30:34 PM

At the Vintage Villa of classic cars, droolin over the sports tourers. Got here after blastin the 88km NE1 Expressway in 42mins! Cedia, take a bow!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 10:25:40 PM

Ab hum bhi poore punjabi! ... Current track: Kangana .. For Gaurav from Chandigarh :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 09:56:45 PM

Just discovered d USB connector for the blackhawk s music sys... one of d best moments of d day! :D

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 05:28:25 PM

Reached our first destination Daman, it even has its own airport! :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 04:19:19 PM

Just drove 21 km in our cedia, for the very first time! This vehicle is just so smooth!! :) 50 km from Daman. Joe s taken over coz we have to reach by 12

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 03:09:15 PM

Good morning! :) on our way frm thane to vapi. Jus done upma n rawa dosa at Kamat Vithals. Catch the pic on our flickr n twitter!



About us

Namrata and Joseph, Bombay-ite and Hyderabadi, implore all you interesting, smart, cute and sexy people reading this to please, pleeez follow us !

Fresh out of college, we were thrown into the dust bowls of U.P and the jungles of M.P. Sneaky trainees that we were, we took full advantage of the available resources to explore. Whether the pine trees of Almora or the ruins of Khajuraho, a Bhojpuri film shoot or some gun-laden, mustachioed dudes in the Chambal areas of Bhind - our travels always had added flavor!

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The journey begins!

Monday, August 17, 2009


Parking Spots - Part II

Monday, August 17, 2009


A last look - Jaipur

Monday, August 17, 2009


Clippity-clop! Tickkity-tock! - Ajmer!

Monday, August 17, 2009


Bumper stickers - the Indian way!

Sunday, August 16, 2009


Joe broke the car!

Sunday, August 16, 2009


Two teetotallers at a vineyard!

Sunday, August 16, 2009


60 km from Nasik

Sunday, August 16, 2009


Rearview - Indore to Dhule

Sunday, August 16, 2009


Rearview - Rajasthani Roads

Sunday, August 16, 2009


Love. In. With. Jodhpur.

Sunday, August 16, 2009


What’s for lunch?

Saturday, August 15, 2009


Taj - does the love remain?

Saturday, August 15, 2009


Jai Hind!

Saturday, August 15, 2009


11 o’clock maggi on campus!

Friday, August 14, 2009


1136PM aloo onion parathas!

Friday, August 14, 2009


We’re here! Where we belong!

Friday, August 14, 2009


Rain, rain go away!

Friday, August 14, 2009


Roasting in the sun at the Sun-fort!

Friday, August 14, 2009


Royal Rajputana Rajasthani at Ratanada

Friday, August 14, 2009


Gwalior!

Thursday, August 13, 2009


Drinks are served!

Thursday, August 13, 2009


Lunch in d Cedia, I’m lovin it

Thursday, August 13, 2009


Mugal Sheraton

Thursday, August 13, 2009


We’re famous!

Thursday, August 13, 2009


Where it is?

Thursday, August 13, 2009


I love you

Thursday, August 13, 2009


65km from Agra, driving through

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


Enroute to Agra

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


Driving past the Jal Mahal

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


Hawa Mahal

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


At the Mitsu showroom, Jaipur!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


Parking Spots

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


I am the Rann

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


Ajmer in a tonga!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


Rajasthan rocks

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


On our way to Ajmer

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


Thodi si toh Lift kara de!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


Meherangarh Fort, Jodhpur!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


Roots in an arid land

Monday, August 10, 2009


Day 4 - on to jodhpur

Monday, August 10, 2009


How was your Sunday?

Sunday, August 09, 2009


Hello Ahmedabad, goodbye Ahmedabad

Sunday, August 09, 2009


On Sanand highway

Sunday, August 09, 2009


We are back in operation

Sunday, August 09, 2009


Who da’man!

Sunday, August 09, 2009


Day 2 begins

Saturday, August 08, 2009


Pehla nasha - udwada rly. cross

Friday, August 07, 2009


The journey begins…

Friday, August 07, 2009


Breakfast at Kamat Vithals!

Friday, August 07, 2009


Kabhi alvida…

Thursday, August 06, 2009


Linking Road chalenge kya?

Tuesday, August 04, 2009


Maroon-ed!

Tuesday, August 04, 2009


IIM Outdoor@GDC Auditions - Day 1

Monday, August 03, 2009


We’re here!

Sunday, August 02, 2009


Before I run away - Part II!

Sunday, August 02, 2009


No expectations…

Sunday, August 02, 2009


How you bin’sar?

Saturday, August 01, 2009


Ho ye rickshaw!

Friday, July 31, 2009


Watch it!

Friday, July 31, 2009


Before I run away…

Friday, July 31, 2009


‘Cuz we all need a purpose in life!

Thursday, July 30, 2009


Paradise lost

Wednesday, July 29, 2009


Lunchtime! At the end of the universe.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009


Pirates of the Indian Ocean!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009


Varanasi - a city of two tales

Tuesday, July 28, 2009


Traffic - the great equalizer

Monday, July 27, 2009


Of new beginnings and new heights

Monday, July 27, 2009


Blackhawk, will you be mine?

Monday, July 27, 2009


The pitch that got us here

Thursday, July 23, 2009