Ride to Rajasthan - II

Part II – Chittorgarh and the return journey

The next day, I woke up at 8 AM, had breakfast and left the hotel by 930 AM. I got my spare tube from the Royal Enfield showroom, after searching for a while. I started for Chittorgarh by 11.30 AM.

               It was a great day to ride, and I halted regularly for clicking photographs. I reached the hotel at 5 PM – Hotel President. Backpackers’ hotel, basic amenities, nothing fancy, most importantly it was comfortable. I took a walk around the hotel area, had some good food and slept early.
              
               Next morning, I left for my tour of the fort. It was at a great height, with a panoramic view of the city. I hired a guide to fill me up with the history of the place, including the famous jauhar incident, where Rani Padmini jumped into a pyre, with 16,000 women to avoid being captured by Alauddin Khilji.

               I stayed up at the fort till afternoon. Came back to the hotel, had lunch and went back up by 5 PM again to witness the sunset and the sound and light show. It was too cloudy, and I couldn’t get a glimpse of the setting sun. But the sound and light show was amazing. This happens across most of the forts and palaces in Rajasthan, where they narrate the history of the fort, with beautiful lighting and sound effects. I came back to the hotel in the evening, and prepared for the return journey.

               I packed my stuff overnight, got up by 330 AM and started for Mumbai at 4. It was dark, and the highway was isolated, spooky, and it kept me alert till sunrise, which was at around 7 AM. The return journey was 900 kms long, and I took 15 hours to complete it, halting at will, clicking pictures and, enjoying the highway! The worst traffic was encountered in the final 30 kms as I reached Mumbai.

               It was a relief to be back at home. When I had started, I was not confident of completing the journey, and wondered if I’d turn around midway. But as I went further, confidence increased. Focusing on the present was the key, I had to be alert on the highway. And since I was riding solo, I knew I had to watch my back which kept me on my toes.

               By the time I had reached home, I had grown in confidence, knowing that I can think of making longer journeys again, and explore even further. I hope I can do this a lot more in 2018, it’s fun!

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