After a hearty breakfast and having our bags down in the lobby before 7:30, the porters from the hotel and our driver and Porter loaded all of our bags into the back of the bus. Each of us was to stand at the back of the bus and watch as our own bags were loaded and then we boarded the bus for at least an eight hour ride to our destination in the Punjab - ANANDPUR SAHIB. We had learned that this location is one of the holy sites for the Sikhs and we would come to learn more at our arrival at the river resort would call home for the next for days.
Most of us settled down to catch a bit more sleep along the way. Some of the group had stayed up into the wee hours, partying a bit too hardy so were under the weather. About three hours into the trip we stopped for a rest stop and toilet break. Sanjiv, who was driving in his car, went on ahead to scout out a roadside restaurant suitable for us to stop for lunch. When we finally reached the restaurant, I think most of us were surprised to see signs for SUBWAY and BASKIN-ROBBINS ICE CREAM. Most felt this had to be an error, but not at all. Following a delicious lunch, a few of us ventured down to the ground level and found the doors open and ready for business. BASKIN-ROBBINS was the big draw and when I saw they offered black currant ice cream, I knew I was home in India and gave into temptation. I was not disappointed.
We then boarded our bus for the last leg to ANANDPUR SAHIB. Little did we know we were in for an adventure.
As we got closer to our destination, we noted more and more colorfully turbaned Sikhs along the roadside, working at their craft of auto repair, home construction and roadside excavation. The roads kept getting narrower and narrower until finally some of us thought our bus would not make it through, at least without greasing the sides of the bus to help us slide through. Even our Porter, Bobby, had to get out a few times to hold electrical wires aside to allow safe passage.
At one spot, a heifer and a calf were running a race down the road toward us with no signs of stopping! Seriously, they were racing headlong at us. About five feet before collision, they stopped abruptly, turned and hurtled back from the way they came. They turned into a yard and we thought we were rid of this thirty seconds of animal circus entertainment. Nay, nay! In a few seconds, back out of the yard they came but turned away from the bus and ran forward. Little did we know there was a natural obstacle ahead... a flowing river. And you guessed it, no bridge!!!
Sanjiv in his white Mercedes eased his way down the embankment, quite tentatively, and some of us thought we might be wading across the river. Our bus driver was also guiding our coach down the embankment. Just then, a small black car screened by the left side of the bus, down the embankment and plunged into the river and maneuvered across. Undaunted now and not to be outdone, Sanjiv pushed forward and across. Now it was our turn and over the river we went! The next trick was for our driver to pull forward and then back and forth to turn the bus so we could travel along the riverside to another tight turn to the left and then a right as we reached out oasis - our own permanent "tent village" where our accommodations were small buildings constructed of smooth and rounded river rock and poplar wood, native to the area. We were greeted by some familiar faces of those who have worked at our previous dam site tent compounds, as well as several ROTARIANS from the Rotary Club of Delhi-Megapolis.
We had a social hour with snacks and scotch and wine, followed by a wonderful dinner and campfire. At about 9:30, most of us turned in for the night.
(Please note that when I can figure out how to transfer photos, I will do so, but wanted to keep our readers informed)
Most of us settled down to catch a bit more sleep along the way. Some of the group had stayed up into the wee hours, partying a bit too hardy so were under the weather. About three hours into the trip we stopped for a rest stop and toilet break. Sanjiv, who was driving in his car, went on ahead to scout out a roadside restaurant suitable for us to stop for lunch. When we finally reached the restaurant, I think most of us were surprised to see signs for SUBWAY and BASKIN-ROBBINS ICE CREAM. Most felt this had to be an error, but not at all. Following a delicious lunch, a few of us ventured down to the ground level and found the doors open and ready for business. BASKIN-ROBBINS was the big draw and when I saw they offered black currant ice cream, I knew I was home in India and gave into temptation. I was not disappointed.
We then boarded our bus for the last leg to ANANDPUR SAHIB. Little did we know we were in for an adventure.
As we got closer to our destination, we noted more and more colorfully turbaned Sikhs along the roadside, working at their craft of auto repair, home construction and roadside excavation. The roads kept getting narrower and narrower until finally some of us thought our bus would not make it through, at least without greasing the sides of the bus to help us slide through. Even our Porter, Bobby, had to get out a few times to hold electrical wires aside to allow safe passage.
At one spot, a heifer and a calf were running a race down the road toward us with no signs of stopping! Seriously, they were racing headlong at us. About five feet before collision, they stopped abruptly, turned and hurtled back from the way they came. They turned into a yard and we thought we were rid of this thirty seconds of animal circus entertainment. Nay, nay! In a few seconds, back out of the yard they came but turned away from the bus and ran forward. Little did we know there was a natural obstacle ahead... a flowing river. And you guessed it, no bridge!!!
Sanjiv in his white Mercedes eased his way down the embankment, quite tentatively, and some of us thought we might be wading across the river. Our bus driver was also guiding our coach down the embankment. Just then, a small black car screened by the left side of the bus, down the embankment and plunged into the river and maneuvered across. Undaunted now and not to be outdone, Sanjiv pushed forward and across. Now it was our turn and over the river we went! The next trick was for our driver to pull forward and then back and forth to turn the bus so we could travel along the riverside to another tight turn to the left and then a right as we reached out oasis - our own permanent "tent village" where our accommodations were small buildings constructed of smooth and rounded river rock and poplar wood, native to the area. We were greeted by some familiar faces of those who have worked at our previous dam site tent compounds, as well as several ROTARIANS from the Rotary Club of Delhi-Megapolis.
We had a social hour with snacks and scotch and wine, followed by a wonderful dinner and campfire. At about 9:30, most of us turned in for the night.
(Please note that when I can figure out how to transfer photos, I will do so, but wanted to keep our readers informed)
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