The day finally kicked off!
THAT DAY had
taken 6 months of planning, reading, thinking ever since my motor cycle trip to
the Gurudongmar Lake got cancelled. But I had taken heart from the fact that
this Pujo we were supposed to take a
long vacation of 11 days – 5 days to be spent in my hometown and the next
5(almost) to be spent exploring North Sikkim. This was supposed to be a driving
trip – travelling from Calcutta to Cooch Behar with a night halt in between and
then drive from Cooch Behar onwards to Gangtok and return. Gangtok was supposed
to be a stopover point for the trip to
North Sikkim.
The Preparation:
After
a long wait that extended over 6 months, the day finally arrived. The Durga
Pujo had lighted up the city and driving from Office to Home, had proved to be
a nightmare. But all was fair because we were supposed to start our
driving adventure the next day. It was a
long time in the waiting, and we wanted to ensure that it went correct, right
from the word go. The route research, mental preparation and physical
conditioning were important because out
of several things, we did not want the adventure to turn into a misadventure.
All – almost every one whom I met told me not to venture out in a hatchback – A
Maruti Swift – so preparing mentally was important. Basically the car was going
to be our home for 5 out of 11 days of vacation.
a long wait that extended over 6 months, the day finally arrived. The Durga
Pujo had lighted up the city and driving from Office to Home, had proved to be
a nightmare. But all was fair because we were supposed to start our
driving adventure the next day. It was a
long time in the waiting, and we wanted to ensure that it went correct, right
from the word go. The route research, mental preparation and physical
conditioning were important because out
of several things, we did not want the adventure to turn into a misadventure.
All – almost every one whom I met told me not to venture out in a hatchback – A
Maruti Swift – so preparing mentally was important. Basically the car was going
to be our home for 5 out of 11 days of vacation.
Route:
After
lot of consultations and pouring over the internet, we zeroed in on the
lot of consultations and pouring over the internet, we zeroed in on the
Route A: Calcutta
– Burdwan – Panagarh – Rampurhat – Morgram – Malda – Raiganj – Dalkhola –
Siliguri – Cooch Behar route as opposed to the regular route using NH34 that
cuts across West Bengal through
– Burdwan – Panagarh – Rampurhat – Morgram – Malda – Raiganj – Dalkhola –
Siliguri – Cooch Behar route as opposed to the regular route using NH34 that
cuts across West Bengal through
Route B: Calcutta
– Barasat – Krishnanagar – Behrampore – Malda and from then on the same.
– Barasat – Krishnanagar – Behrampore – Malda and from then on the same.
From
several forums which I had been through I had heard that Calcutta to Morgram is
a breeze. Even though it is around 100 kms more than Route B, but the speed of
the vehicle makes up for the extra 100 kms. I will detail on these later.
several forums which I had been through I had heard that Calcutta to Morgram is
a breeze. Even though it is around 100 kms more than Route B, but the speed of
the vehicle makes up for the extra 100 kms. I will detail on these later.
The Car:
The
Maruti Swift was 3 years old and regular servicing every 5000 kms ensured that
it was in a good condition.But we checked the
Maruti Swift was 3 years old and regular servicing every 5000 kms ensured that
it was in a good condition.But we checked the
·
Wheel Alignment
Wheel Alignment
·
Wheel Balancing
Wheel Balancing
·
Air Conditioner – The Whole Route was
supposed to be done with the AC on.
Air Conditioner – The Whole Route was
supposed to be done with the AC on.
·
Underbody
Underbody
·
Lights/Horn
Lights/Horn
·
Engine Fluids – Brake oil/Engine
Oil/Coolant/Gear oil/Lubricants
Engine Fluids – Brake oil/Engine
Oil/Coolant/Gear oil/Lubricants
·
Tyres and Stepney
Tyres and Stepney
·
A 5 litre fuel jar
A 5 litre fuel jar
·
Photocopies of Car Insurance, Registration,
Driving License, Blue Book
Photocopies of Car Insurance, Registration,
Driving License, Blue Book
In
addition we were aware of the
addition we were aware of the
·
Car Helpline Nos., major Maruti dealers
across the highways
Car Helpline Nos., major Maruti dealers
across the highways
·
Phone no. of Police stations on the route
Phone no. of Police stations on the route
In Car Food & Snacks:
·
Biscuits
Biscuits
·
Cup Noodles
Cup Noodles
·
Cake
Cake
·
Tea Bags
Tea Bags
·
Hot Water and Flask
Hot Water and Flask
·
Sugar Cubes
Sugar Cubes
·
Small Plastic Cups
Small Plastic Cups
·
Cold Drinks
Cold Drinks
·
Water – 10 litres.
Water – 10 litres.
In Car Entertainment:
·
Magazines
Magazines
·
CDs
CDs
So much for the
preparation.
