For a change, I had company in the form of family members Nihar and Varsha. Kesari Tours is known to be a family oriented tourist company catering to the varied age of individuals, party to the tour. I was impressed by the Delhi domestic airport which I had visited on my last domestic flight in India. A 45 minute taxi ride brought us to Nizamuddin railway station but it also provided a glimpse of the conditions in summer for Delhi via a taxi without an A/C.
It was then more than an hour of wait in a parked bus as passengers from various parts of Maharashtra gathered, after having arrived by different means (flight or rail). Lunch at the GG's Fast Food place was not impressive. An hour's drive brought us into Uttar Pradesh (UP). Needless to say a speed of 40 kmph was the best one could go. There were quite a few interesting families in the bus on this trip. A particular section would get annoyed every time the driver blew the horn to warn approaching vehicles or the horde of pedestrians on the highway. The driver too fancied blowing the horn with elan bringing even more frustration to certain annoyed passengers. Usual situations where certain individuals felt the volume of music was too low or a bit high just had to occur. The highway in UP had a long stretch with a divider in the middle of the road. There were other stretches that were under construction resulting in two way traffic on just one side of the road. At other times vehicles went along the wrong side with complete disregard of the fact that the traffic was on a two way road. UP being the most populous state of India, there was hardly about 2 to 3 kms of stretch of road without some traces of civilization beside the roadside. I was among the very few passengers who could not sleep in the moving bus after lunch.
After about 120 kms the bus halted at a beautiful roadside restaurant for a snack break.
Very soon we entered Uttranchal with about 80 kms to get to Haridwar. The total journery was to take about 5 hours and there were easily about 2.5 hours to go. The next stretch of road was one where there was some forest area beside the road. One could see a few monkeys getting to the highway to pick up scraps of food dumped from moving vehicles.
It was close to getting dark when suddenly out of nowhere a dust storm came across and soon changed to heavy rain. The bus was one without a good front windshield wiper. The ferocity of the wind and dust caused many a vehicle to halt by the roadside. The bus driver seemed
skilled and dared the dust storm and rain by continuing to drive. This impressed many a young kid on the vehicle. Nihar got himself introduced to a few kids sitting at the back of the vehicle. The kids entertained themselves by means of their childish talk and games.
With vehicles slowed down on the road, coupled with a few fallen trees and no lights by the roadside the progress of our vehicle was slowed down. As we got closer to Haridwar there was no rain around and we also had a few lights. Nihar was getting impatient after having spent about 6+ hours in the bus at a stretch only with a brief halt.
With vehicles slowed down on the road, coupled with a few fallen trees and no lights by the roadside the progress of our vehicle was slowed down. As we got closer to Haridwar there was no rain around and we also had a few lights. Nihar was getting impatient after having spent about 6+ hours in the bus at a stretch only with a brief halt.
We made it to Haridwar and checked into Hotel Khanna palace where we had dinner. Ever since I had arrived in India, there was pretty good food to be had. Being in North India one knew the kind of food to expect. However, the food at this particular place was not too good but there was plenty of variety to be had. Vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes were available as per the taste of all. Our stay at the hotel was for a single night.
The next day, we were supposed to check out of the hotel, visit Haridwar and travel to Mussoorie.
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