On Day 6 of my adventure, I set out from Murudeshwara towards Kolhapur. The journey started off smoothly enough as the highway led me northward. But around 50 kilometers into my trip, I received an instruction from my trusty Google Navigation to turn right onto something called NH 66. It seemed like a strange choice, as the road looked pretty narrow to be a national highway. As it turned out, I was actually on Karnataka State Highway 143, which took me deep into a remote forested area where I couldn’t spot any living creature for kilometers. The experience was both eerie and exhilarating, giving me a sense of breaking free from the modern world. Unfortunately, I also discovered that I had no cell phone signal, so I truly felt like I had been transported back in time.
Finally, I reached NH 66, which was a nice highway despite the fact that there was barely any traffic. However, I did come across a fresh accident, which made me drive very carefully. To make matters worse, it started to rain, and the road became slippery.
Just when I thought my adventure couldn’t get any more intense, the navigation took me off NH 66 and onto Karnataka State Highway 93, which led me even deeper into the isolated jungle. I was determined to get out of there before nightfall, but my navigation led me to a remote and nameless road. I was hesitant to follow it, but there was no one around for me to ask for directions. So, with a heavy heart, I took my car onto the narrow road, which led me through some of the most remote places imaginable. For the next 20 kilometers, I was the only living thing on the road. It was pitch dark, raining heavily, and the road was curvy and treacherous. But finally, I spotted a settlement in the distance, and two surprised individuals on the road confirmed that I was on the right track.
From there, the road eventually met the Super Highway NH4, which took me directly to my destination of Kolhapur. Although my adventure on Day 6 was full of unexpected challenges, it also gave me a thrilling sense of freedom and exploration. I realized that the sense of adventure and freedom that I experienced on this journey is probably the very reason I set out on this journey alone.
The remote roads I traveled on were so muddy and treacherous that it felt like I was participating in a rally race as I sped through them. Eventually, I reached a narrow road that led me to a state highway, and after driving eight kilometers on that muddy, narrow road, I finally arrived at the Super Highway – NH 4.
My excitement at reaching the NH 4 was short-lived when I realized that the heavy downpour had intensified, making it nearly impossible to see the road ahead of me even with my upgraded 90/100 Watts headlight bulbs. To make matters worse, the Super Highway was filled with fast-moving vehicles, leaving no room for error. However, I adapted quickly to the conditions, and my reflexes sharpened as I maneuvered my car while other vehicles overtook me, honking at my slow speed. In no time, I was honking at other vehicles as I sped down the highway at over 100 KM/hour.
After driving for about 145 kilometers on the Super Highway, I finally reached my next destination, Kolhapur. I took a bypass from NH 4 to reach the city in the state of Maharashtra. Once I entered the city, I quickly looked up a hotel that I knew of and fortunately, they had a room available. However, my Xolo X900 Smartphone’s Google navigation wouldn’t show me any further routes, and I had to ask for directions. The locals were more than happy to help, but they spoke in Marathi, while I spoke in Hindi, making communication a bit challenging. Luckily, a kind person driving a Scorpio Jeep offered to lead me to the hotel, and I followed him. He led me to the Opal Hotel, leaving me with the impression that people in Kolhapur were incredibly helpful.
After completing my epic road trip, if I want to go back to any place, Kolhapur would surely be it! Not only for the hospitality of the people in the area, but also for the chance to taste the Kolhapuri food at the Opal Hotel restaurant again. I can confidently rate it as the best food I tasted during my entire road trip. The spicy and flavorful dishes were an absolute delight for my taste buds and left a lasting impression.
My next day will be a stay in Kolhapur for one day at the Opal Hotel.
Photographs taken en-route Kolhapur: (check photo Gallery on the Home Page for many more pics)
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