Road Trip 5 : Nalsarovar

Date : April 9, 2006

This Sunday friends (4 Bloggers Cyclops, Caleb and Lonelywaves), made a road-trip to Nalsarovar, a Bird Sanctuary spread over 120kms of wet land which regularly gets feathered species from far off lands on migration! We usually had a company of three people with avid interest in visiting places and enjoying the exotic village atmosphere, and give our city-polluted lungs a booster dose of fresh oxygen. This time around we had a guest accompanying us, a fellow blogger (named ME) who also happens to be a journalist too.
Pic: Entering the boat (not A Titanic!)

The Sarovar With birds soaring.

We started off at around 0415, a time when the rest of the city is still in deep slumber enjoying a Sunday in bed! We went to pick up our guest and then sped off on a very smooth and empty highway doing the speeds of 60-80 kph. It was a late start as its summer and the sun rises earlier and before we could get closer to Nalsarovar the fantasy of watching the day break was shattered.

Pic: of Lonelywaves with The Lotus Garland, meant for ME in pic behind Lonelywaves

Pic: Lotus Flower in full blossom...
We had made just one scheduled break for early morning cuppa tea and our favourite pass-time of smoking. After that we speed off towards the destination, but when it was only some 22kms left to reach the spot we were shocked to see our fellow driver making a large turn around a tight corner and getting off road into a wayside bush, that literally saved him and his bike from further harm. Our guest of the daywas the pillion driver and got away with some bruises and scratches, both were safe and sound but a bit dazzled at the sudden incident. After resting for some time we then slowly started off but then everyone’s thought was looming over that minor accident and it played a real spoil-sport as Caleb was off mood and didn’t really felt like enjoying.
Pic: of the Temple put in the middle by A King called "NAL" about 600-700years old!

Pic: of Lonelywaves trying the local tobacco pipe, tastes a bit salty no high ;)
Well anyways we reached Nalsarovar by 0745, got the entry passes and got ourselves admitted inside. Reaching the parking lot we were rounded up by the boat operators with their sky-rocketing prices, we haggled over the prices brought it into suit our pockets and went for the ride.

Pic: trying to use woman power! Sorry for being a bit MCP... Can't really help that...hehehe, At last Lonelywaves gives a helping hand...

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Pic: the algae coverd Sarovar! Stunning beauty.

The boat-ride was a real fest to the eyes that were accustomed to seeing concrete jungles, and here there was water all around and lots of birds and negligible other humans to disturb the serenity. We could see the Siberian Cranes, the Coots, the Pigtails, the Flamingoes and other various birds. Afterwards we went to an island in the middle of the lake and then returned back. Meanwhile the oarsman managed to present our guest a garland made of Lotus, which was quite interesting! Our guest had prepared delicious sandwiches for the trip, must say a good cook of junk food! ;)

The return journey was quite uneventful, but the hot afternoon sun did take a toll on our body fluids and the heat was quite unbearable though it’s still April beginning! The total journey was approx 160kms from A’bad, and reached here by 1300 hrs. A fantastic journey to remember and write about.