On Sunday, Bruce & I had our driver arrive at our hotel and take us for a scenic drive around the outskirts of Vadodara. We drove for about half an hour before escaping the busy city life before breaking free into the country. As the city grew sparser, so did the thick smog that graces the skies of Vadodara each day. Everything became clear and remarkably different scenery appeared before my eyes. I caught myself looking out of the window with a smile on my face. I glanced over to Bruce, who travels that particular road each day to his work place in a little industrial village called Savli.... He appreciated my look of glee and I felt a deep sense of why we were here. It's not something I can put into words... It's like I've been called here for some unknown purpose.
As we drove we encountered so many unusual sites. Just to give you an insight so that you'll understand my curiosity for the many extremely odd sights I'm still coming to terms with, I will try and explain the drive.
As we were leaving the outskirts of Vadodara, factories which manufacture marble furniture are present almost everywhere. Tables, bedside tables, chairs you name it and it's there. The road splits into a divided highway. Cars, trucks, Rickshaws, assorted animals all share this vein of thoroughfare. After going through a toll gateway away from the city and leaving the ancient gates of Vadodara we powered toward the only mountain nearby. It's not unlike the landscape of the Fraser Coast district in Queensland Australia...flat except for the remnants of a sudden and absurd volcanic eruption which occurred hundreds of years ago leaving one lonely mountain for kilometres around. The mountain looks somewhat of a man made structure, so uniform and naturally terraced into levy banks all the way up. It looks similar to the pyramids in Egypt only on a gigantic scale and having being formed by Mother Nature herself. The landscape is dry and arid with acacia trees heavily occupying the earth.
As the drive took us deeper into uncivilization, we overtook single Rickshaws carrying at least 12-15 people squashed with limbs and body parts seeping out of every vacant nook and cranny on the small machines. They peer at us with a 'what the hell was that' expression on their faces as we drive past in our black sedan with cream leather seats. I don't think many westerners frequent that part of India so understandably they probably were as in awe of the sight as we were of them.
We soon followed and later passed a rickshaw carrying possibly 5 men and pink fairy floss, all packaged into individual cellphone bags and a long bunch of coconuts hanging off the rear of the vehicle. A fairy floss machine was also slung on top...obviously heading to some sort of celebration.
Hotels popped up from time to time along the way in the middle of nowhere. The names were interesting and direct....'Decent Hotel', 'Glory Hotel','Supreme Hotel'.....the list went on. The irony was that not one actually looked like a decent hotel at all for our standards.
Monkeys as large as an eight year old child and tails which must have been over a metre in length wandered the road edge, looking for scraps thrown from passers by.
A four wheel drive of which the occupants were changing its flat tyre had obviously come to grief, so instead of pulling to the side, they had just stopped there and then in the middle of the road on a sharp bend to change the tyre. You just have to smile at the sights you see here and just pray that your driver is assertive to the unforeseen upcoming conditions.
We drove part way up the mountain to a car parking area. There is a chairlift to the top however it was closed for three months maintenance......for an Indian timeframe, that could be maybe ten years...who knows! So.....we began the 5km climb by foot. I wasn't entirely dressed for hiking sporting leather flip flop shoes and a heavier shirt than what I would have liked for the searing temperatures that lay ahead of us from the Indian midday sun. We climbed the old hand laid stair paths for close on two hours. The scenery was arid but broken by lakes and small villages as we perused the landscape from perhaps 4km along the winding track coated with pilgrims also making the journey to the top for the prize of being welcomed into the ancient Hindu Temple. Unfortunately, due to the heat and my poor hiking attire, I made the call to turn around after I felt like throwing up. We still had possibly another hour or more of step climbing to go before we reached the temple, as we could see the lines of pilgrims high above us still making the trek to the top. The pilgrims were of all classes and castes of society. Some rode donkeys, some lead goats on string up the rough marbled stairs to the temple.....young children touched our white skin and giggled. I'd squat with some and make body language conversation with them. Young men would race up to us to enquire where we were from, excitedly telling us Ricky Ponting was their cricket idol and who's going to win the impending World Cup in the weeks to come. A photo here and there with babies, children and young adults all seemed to make their day as it did me to make them smile their beautiful unpretentious smiles.
One of the 'Decent Hotels' on offer......
The trek begins....
Bruce heading to the market area
Bangles for sale....everywhere!
Climbing....
Chairlift under maintenance
The gradient view of the 5km climb
More stairs...
About 2km into the trek.
Stinky toilets.
Pilgrims
Getting closer to the top...feeling hot!
Stalls selling water and limes
Photo opportunity
Head scarves for sale to cover ladies heads in the temple.
It was Sunday....wonder if they change the name every day....
Fascinating reading Merryn. You have a very descriptive turn of phrase which makes me feel that i am on this journey with you. Stay safe, keep on a blogging Maria!!!!
Miss you L Gxxxxx
Reply
Merryn
11/2/2015 05:33:29 pm
Thank Ginny! Glad you're enjoying the read. Xx
Reply
Rob Hardy
25/2/2015 10:52:56 am
Hi Folks.
Merryn, you could write a Movie score. you do it so well, maybe the next Grand Budapest or The Best Exotic Marigold.
Take care folks and have fun.
Rob n Di.
Reply
MERRYN
25/2/2015 11:00:23 am
Awwww .....thanks guys! You're too kind. Glad you're enjoying our experiences. X
Reply
Allison
2/3/2015 09:42:57 pm
It's nearly midnight here and I started reading and couldn't stop. Have to stop now and head to bed, will read about Bruce and his boys trip tomorrow. Please keep blogging, I love your writing style and find your adventures quite fascinating. A blond friend of mine went to Japan many years ago and found her hair SO distinctive she dyed it dark. Thanks for sharing Vadodora with us xoxo
Reply
MERRYN
2/3/2015 10:49:44 pm
Thanks for those kind words Allison! Glad you're enjoying my blogs. Xx