The commenter asked, “Do you wash the car at least once a year?” He saw the dusty car in the picture and maybe didn’t like it. Though we chose not to approve the comment, it made us wonder if there is a technology available to wash the car while we drive! 

After long drives, especially through unpaved roads and muddy roads in monsoon, car gets dirty – Oh! We know that’s a no-brainer. We in fact are happy to see this – it’s a sign of the paths we covered. That it’s a pain to clean it after the trip is one thing. But it gives a kinda kick to us. Dirtier the car, more exciting the drive!

If you drive to Malshejgat (Kalyan – Aurangabad road) in rainy season, there’s an option to wash the car on the road. An overhang of the hill makes water to splash on the road from a height – waterfall on the road. You can stop the vehicle under it, with windshields up, and get an instant wash.

Koyna forests have always held our fascination ever since we trekked there for 3 days in 2006. One of our fascinating road trips also was to this place bestowed with wild beauty. Koyna Nagar lies at about 400 km from Mumbai, via Chiplun.

As we set out from Mumbai, we plan to spend the night at Chiplun. On the way, plans go with the wind and we veer off Mumbai-Goa highway to Khed and Dapoli. Drive through the coastal roads ends up in Harnai, a fishing village.

Fishing vessels lined up in the sea offer quite a view.

More winding roads take us to Dhabol. Yes, the place of infamous Enron-owned Dhabol power plant (presently Ratnagiri Gas and Power). The Dapoli-Dhabol road breaks at a jetty; a boat ferries vehicles to the other bank, from where the road continues to Guhagar.

By late evening we end up in Guhagar, a beach village. Hunting for a place to stay turns out to be an adventure. At the end of it, a local family agrees to take us in for a small charge. A memorable experience!

Sound sleep and an early morning dip in the sea refresh us and we hit the road. More unplanned stopovers and deviations spice up the journey.

Guhagar quenches our thirst for beaches. We climb up the Koyna Hills to hug the clouds.

Koyna Nagar is a lovely combination of forests and a sprawling lake.

Early morning, brave the December chill, drive up to the highest point possible and watch the mesmerizing sunrise.

Admire the Koyna Dam, which seems to be spewing snow into the lake from its shutters. It melts in front of you as the sun rises. The dam was under threat during the 2005 floods.

Lazily drive along; pull over and listen to the sound of nature; walk up the many pathways into the forests – options galore.

Leave Koyna saturated with the tranquility and wilderness.

Does the destination matter?
Does the distance matter?
Do the roads matter?
Nothing matters as we travel
For we find joy in this moment
Not the next one, which is uncertain

If we say we are crazy about cars, it will be a lie. We do like them, but not to the extent that we go gaga about them. What about driving? We do love driving. Especially long-distance drives, where the travel is as exciting as the destination.

Are we after the money? Maybe. Maybe not. What do we do with Rs 10 lakhs? We can use it to give life to our shelved dreams! But, money definitely is not the strong motivator.

Fame? Perhaps. We could always do with a little bit of fame. 

Finally, it boils down to the sheer thrill of taking part. Had TGDC been designed for individual participants, we might not have been very keen. What caught our fancy is the ‘couple’ factor. Because, thecouple always likes to do things together, one of them being travelling.

Frankly, it’s for the kick of getting into the top 3; getting a chance to travel/drive for 10 days to the places of our choice, with all expenses paid. 

So far, we slouched on the chair. Other than sending out email requests and occasionally updating the social networks, we sat back with folded arms. The drama that unfolded in the past two weeks was worth watching.

We were reasonably sure to be in the top 100 and hopeful to be in the top 9 (now 12). At 12.00 pm yesterday, the uncertainty was over. It was a moment of great excitement. Then came the realisation that the slouching is also over. From now, we acknowledge that it is going to be great challenge. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, bring out all our energy, and focus it on just one thing – TGDC.

Friends, we share our moments of delight and enthusiasm here. Do join us in this journey with your cheers and smiles. And don’t forget to leave your comments.