Leh Adventure : 2/15

JOURNEY BEGINS...

I booked my tickets bit late hence there was timing difference of flights. I was alone to travel Bangalore to Chandigarh also the vice versa, whereas others were in groups during the journey.

This was my first Flight experience. Even though this was a domestic flight roughly about 3 hours, it made me curious and also nervous. Once after the take-off, I got adjusted and was in comfort zone. The view from 37,000 feet high was amazing, I could see the land from Eagle's eye view.

The anxious first time moments started to fill in.

I reached Chandigarh bit early, after a wait for 10mins other friends joined me.

My flight from Bangalore was at 9:50am, and reached Chandigarh around 12.40pm.

In the morning, we had ordered Ola Cab for the commute from Marathalli to Airport. Rajesh R, Rakesh and I planned to book Cab. There was an offer such that the first ride from the app was free and we tried to utilize this opportunity. The obstacle : Ola Cab Driver refused to take us to Airport as he told that he won't come to airport as this was free ride. We got terrified by his response and thought of taking this matter with the authorities after the trip.

Since, for most of us it was the first flight. We woke up at 5am (almost 4 hours early than the flight). Because of this we thought of taking Bus as we had time and ignored other cab services as the request for Cab would cost us time. We took the Bus around 6am and we were able to reach airport around 8am. 

We met other friends in airport, had a chit chat with them, introduced to each other as we will be the family for the next 15 days sharing fun, happiness, tuff times and also frustrations.

After reaching Chandigarh airport at 12.40pm, we spend some time talking also collecting the luggage from cargo. By 1pm we were ready to explore North India. We had hired a tempo which was 14 seater, the journey was from Chandigarh to Manali. We also had to do shopping a bit as we did not buy all the necessary items like bike armour, rain-coat, gum boots, etc.

We had lunch in Punjab Pal Dhaba, the food was delicious especially Butter chicken, Tandoori Chicken and Roti. We purchased the Guard for the bikers, gloves, eatery items, rain coats and other basic requirements from Chandigarh. We left Chandigarh to Manali around 5pm.

Punjab roads were too good. The best thing I liked in Punjab is the shops, house's are at-least 15m far from road giving space to parking. The road was in good shape with no pot holes, and less density of the people made it a calm place. The weather was harsh, it was hot around 30C. It was good to experience new state and also to interact with people there.We had tea, dinner on the way in dhaba.  The route was bad after we left Chandigarh, the professional tempo driver was handling the road better by going at 60km/hr speed.

We reached Manali at 2:30am. It was cold around 5C. We wondered how fast did the temperature vary from Chandigarh to Manali.

Stay in Tent was expected and we got the experience. It was cold out there, blanket was as thick as bed itself which helped us to protect from cold. This made the thrilling start.

This was just the beginning.

Chandigarh Airport! : Team 3

Next : Leh 3