Finally, we decided on the return trip to Bangalore. With kid's online class starting and the issue with handling book logistics, it was getting difficult to operate from Kolkata. Also, we didn't want to set up another home office in Kolkata. After a lot of deliberations, we decided to start on 8 July and reach Bangalore by 10 July.
Day 1: Kolkata to Gopalpur
611 km across 2 states
We planned to start at 3 am on 8 July. Finally, after getting all the things in place, we managed to start around 4:45 am in the morning. Delayed by 1.5 hrs. This is partially due to rain. It was raining quite a bit and the roads near my house were flooded. Something I was witnessing after ages.
Nevertheless, managed to start and finally was able to find a petrol bunk open at Rashbehari. Filled the beast to the brim and was off on road. We were stopped at Orissa Border, for checking. The officer at the check-post was looking for any documents which were likely to be missing from my end and were not able to find any. Finally, they allowed me to pass. The so-called checking started with how many passengers were in the car and which car (make and model) I was travelling in. When I said 4 people, he responded back 4 not allowed only 2. So, asked him, how will my kid's travel, then he was like ooh in that case you can travel. During the time when CoVID is at its peak, instead of some serious stuff all they are interested in making money.
After crossing the check post, we made our first stop for breakfast. Roadside Dhaba. The guy was from West Bengal and his business was going down and all the restrictions. He was mentioning that within a weeks time he would close down the shop and move it to the West Bengal side.
After 45 min and some mandatory clicks, we started off. The destination was Gopalpur on Sea. The rest of the journey was uneventful. Around 7 pm, we reached Gopalpur Palm Resort. The property was overcrowded and looked like an overhyped hotel. The check-in was regular, we were allotted a room on the ground floor. The room was a decent size, nothing exciting. We were greeted with a platter of fruits.
Dinner was plain and simple with not many options available. We were also quite tired, mainly due to the mental stress of driving in a pandemic where there was uncertainty every moment, so hit the bed and wanted to hit the road as early as possible. We had asked the hotel staff to pack breakfast for us (simple sandwiches) which we can eat on the way, reducing the breakfast stop. The hotel with a bit of coaxing agreed for it.
Day 2: Gopalpur to Vijaywada
661 km, again 2 states
Day 2, started around 7 am in the morning. We knew the drive was going to be boring, as once we cross the border and reach Andhra Pradesh, we are going to be on the newly laid National Highway, a pretty simple and straight road, till Visakhapatanam. There was no checking for private cars at Orissa - AP border. We were allowed to pass without any hassle. Our destination was Novatel at Vijaywada.
We were greeted by rain as we were entered Visakhapatanam and then comes the mega traffic jam. It took us nearly 2.5 hrs to come out of the wonderful port city. Once, out of Visakhapatanam, we were back on the wonderful NH. The good thing about driving on Andhra highways, is you are never too far from a Reliance Prtrol bunk. The quality of disel is good and you have nice restrooms in most of them.
Rain kept following us through out the trip. Driving in rains on a newly relaid highway is always a blessing.
Checking in to Novatel, Vijaywada was fast and simple. Though we asked for rooms on higher floors we were politely refused. The food was standard, nothing exciting. The resturant was quite crowded though.
Day 3: Vijaywada to Bengaluru
656 km, 2 states once more
10th July, was our day 3, the last and final leg of the trip. We started at around 8 am in the morning.
Today's journey was on the same NH5 and then take a right turn near Malayakota towards Tirupathi to get into Tirupati - Bangalore highway. We didnt have brealfast at Novatel, the plan was to catch up something on the way.
Corssing rivre Krishna early morning was a real beauty. Do take a look at the video captured on car dashcam, you can also check through https://youtu.be/hwCxlEd04ME
After driving for about 84 km, from Novatel we found Sr Sai Arvind Food Court at Boppudi. We stopped there for breakfast and tea. Breakfast was simple egg dosa and chutney.
The most interesting view I captured at the dhaba was the picture below. Not sure what the designer was thinking as he designed this urinal.
Post breakfast it was a non-stop drive on the beautiful NH and we planned to have a early lunch before turining towards Tirupathi. So, as we crossed Nellore, at its outskirts we too a little detour and stopped at Sri Vengamamba Punjabi Family Daba for lunch.
Food was interesting. We ordered Nelllore chicken and what we got something that cannot be describled. It was kind of triranga chicken, with mix of shreded and chunky chicken piece. The dish was quite sweet.
Post lunch, we continued our journey to Bangalore. The roads becamse 2 lane after taking the turn towards Tirupathi. With increased truck traffic and bad roads slowed us down quite a bit till we hit the Bangalore - Tirupati Highway. We had a good cloud cover on the Bangalore - Tirupati Highway (check out some nice dashboard pictures, do ignore the date and time) and were greeted by rains as soon we entered Bangalore
Bangalore had its own set of traffic jams and we reached home around 8 pm.
Overall the journey was wonderful. The longest road trip I ever did. Bangalore - Kolkata - Bangalore was about 4000 km. While the trip from Bangalore - Kolkata was mostly with diversions, bad roads, the return journey was much better. Roads were newly laid, wide and hardly any traffic unless we touched a city / town.
