GP pule...Concluding!!

That sleep was life giving...after the tiring day through the sun.
Yet again missed the sunset...I think will go to Ganpatipule once more just to check it out.Now there were some plans of a campfire on the beach later in the nite.Me and Rathore got up and ready, and headed for the beach for the n th time for the day.The troppers were to follow us there.Or I guess they were ahead of us.
We finally did go to the famed Ganapatipule Temple.And I even managed to make some kind of a donation for 25 bucks..on the name of my dad obviously.Another walk on the beach with one of the fairer breed and sadly rathore too was a different experience.Had our dinner again at MTDC and were off for the beack party.It basically wasn't a weather meant for campfire...so I kept my distance from the fire. We had also arranged for Rathore 's guitar on the beach...but I guess both rathore's and my prowess with the guitar was rather disappointing for the audience..so they continued with there dumb C. took some long lazy walks in the knee deep sea on the beach...and soaked myself with the millions of stars in the sky. This is one experience I 'll remember forever.
At around 12.30 in the nite after some persuasive and heated discussions rathore and myself decieded against going to Ratnagiri the next day,Because we still had to cross the 350 odd kms to mumbai in one piece.
I was hell bent on leaving as early as possible, the initial plan being 5. But Rathore was a little cross with me for this and so he made sure that we left only by 6 .Turned out to be a wise decision.
Let me digress a little here to mention a little more about Mr. Rathore as a pillion specifically. Over the last 4 trips that I have had with this buddy of mine, he has turned out be an amazing and excellent companion sitting behind me. First and foremost I being an avid driving lover, hate to share the driving load with anyone.and Rathore too I guess loves being a pillion and has never shown any interest to actually drive. Secondly he trusts my driving a lot...and doesn't make much noise abt the same apart from some stray incidents where it was actually required.Thirdly he like me loves speeds...testimony to this is the fact that we top sped to 107 KMPH on the return leg. Infact on the clearer stretches of the road, if i happen to take it a little cool...he urges me to touch that 100 Kph once more, Or take over that Santro..and stuff like that. He has his own shortcomings too...he has not all that good as a navigator , because he isn't that keen an observer of the road as myself.In all a real dude to ride with...cheers to us Rathore.

Okay so let me get back on track...Started off at 6 on the meandering roads through the plains..we reached the junction of NH-17 and turned left for Mumbai. There was this early morning nip in the air...and also the Stars fuel tank was craving for fuel. Stopped and refuelled we opting for the non - inflammatory chai. that was close to 7.From here till the next stop at chiplun..we had a little dual with a pulsar, I must say the driver was skilled enough to match the 180cc pulsar of his to my 350cc giant.Hats off to him.Stole a hopeless burger at Chiplun. The roads were a little crowded now. but we still managed to blaze thorugh most of the towns en route. Infact I can easily say ..that this was the fastest leg over all my rides. Another stop in the midst of the ghat where we had to stop in our first leg because of our dozing off. Had some kanda bhaji and chai here.

Rode on...and it was getting hotter by the minute. Took a break for some cola s at arnd 11.We were some 100 odd kms from mumbai. Were forced into another break at Wai. Had a couple of life giving nimbu pani's with some local coolant put in them.
It was scorching by now, but our spirit of adventure was still at large...we turned left inplace of the usual right while entering Panvel in anticipation that we'll reach Palm beach road from there. Gross misjudgement because although the road was very good...it happened to be going in the wrong directions. After a couple of set of directions...we took a kuttcha road to finally reach the palm beach road albeit from the opposite side. This cost us 10 extra kms ...and a lot of energy due to the burning hot sun. But a lesson neverthless...and a new route definitely.Bought a bottle of chilled mineral water and coke enroute to Rathore's place.
This will be the last drive before the summers...and we have decieded to take a break now.Although a quick trip to Pune is still on the cards.

Dozed off finally with my burnt feet in a bucket of water and a glass of chilled cola in my
hand.