We leave in an hour. Last 2 days were extremely hectic. My mind was all over the place. I did many blunders also. Like yesterday, I went to work wearing my shirt inside out! I only realized it when a colleague pointed it out and was needless to say quite embarrassed! But all that is in the past. It is difficult to explain how I am feeling right now. nervous, excited, curious, apprehensive…whatever it is…I havent felt like this before.
The Jeep is all packed up. We also decorated her (yes…her) with some reflector tapes to make her easily visible on the road. We have decided to “flag off” from an animal home in London called Mayhew Animal Shelter. It is a small animal home and we thought it would be nice to start from an animal shelter similar to Friendicoes – the animal home that we are supporting. Some of our friends will be meeting us down there to say goodbye. From there, we drive straight to Dover-The port in UK to board our ferry for France. Once we reach France, our first stop will be in Antwerp, Belgium where some very nice people have organised a lunch event for us. From there we will drive straight to Frankfurt. I will post pictures of the flag-off from Frankfurt. It is going to be a long day.
The weather forecast says it will be a nice sunny day. I cannot wait to hit the road now. I am sure leaving home today will be emotional for both me and Pooja. We both have been waiting for this day for a very long time now. I have dreamt about it for many long hours. Now it is here. We are in that moment now.
I am happy to say that I am feeling confident too. I think we have covered most areas and safely geared up. I also went for a mechanical training a few days back. I can now change the air filter, oil filter, spark plugs, tyres ( nothing to be proud of I know), bulbs, wipers, fuses, fluids, engine oil, brake oil, power steering fluid, washer, coolent etc). We also got our tyres filled with a puncture prevention sealant called ultraseal. This is supposed to be a fantastic product. Once it is put inside the tyres, they claim that you will never get a puncture! Even if a nail goes inside the tyre, the sealant inside the tyre will straightaway cover the hole made by the nail and stop the tyre for deflating. To demonstrate, the ultraseal guys put 5 nails on the road, and actually drove their van over it! I heard that horrible sound of nails poking into the tyres but once the van had gone over it, it was as if nothing had happened. The tyres were absolutely normal. I have got this sealant put in all 6 (2 spares) tyres now. Will it work for us? I dont know, but I guess we will soon find out:) I did make a video of this demo and will share it whenever I can. We do plan to make a documentary at the end of the journey but I will try to post some videos on youtube if I get a good internet connection somewhere.
I think I will stop writing now. Am I making much sense today? I dont know. 45 minutes left before we leave. And what am I doing? Sitting here and writing this blog. I am feeling very relaxed too. Now that all the packing is done, all that is left for us to get ready and go. I am enjoying this moment right now. Finally, I have had a few minutes to just sit down and do what I want to do rather that what I have to do.
Pooja has worked very very long hours to do the packing. I must admit that I have not helped her much with it. We have about 12 bags I think. How many did I pack? just one! I dont even know where my own stuff is. I am a bit ashamed of myself actually. She is physically exhausted. But I think, like me, the excitement has taken over the physical pain for her too.
I should stop writing now. Need to go do some final checks before we leave. Wish us well and keep writing to us. Both Pooja and I love reading your comments.
Goodbye from London. Delhi… we are on our way!
Tushar & Pooja
Good luck guys!
Best of Luck and have a safe journey.
hye, nice stories and i can feel the thrill, enthusiasm and the anxiety!
wishing the best! and stay well…
All the best guys! I know you will make it just fine.. enjoy the drive
All the best, take care
BON VOYAGE….. May you enjoy your lady love.i.e. your jeep the moment you hit the road & pray she stands with you in thick & thin during the journey. Await your lovely snaps enroute as those will make us feel to be with you during the journey. Love to Pooja. Rajv Archana Divya Adyut
Thanks:)
Good luck Tushar and Pooja.
Best of luck! Our wishes are with you. Please do keep updating…
And we have liftoff!!! (or drive off…)
Awesome post, Tushar. All your preparations are done, so now just enjoy the drive, and the experience!!
Looking forward to hearing about all the wonderful places you’re going to! We’re all cheering for the two of you back here in London!
-Kumi
Thanks mate
Tushar and Pooja: Good Luck and enjoy your trip! – KS
I’ve seen it 8 hours you posted it, must be approaching your lunch in Antwerp. Ahoy! Good going!!
Good Luck Guys!
Hi Pooja & Tushar,
Good Luck
Sorry the wishes are coming quite late, we were busy with a shoot today and just got back.
Yes you are making sense and yes we hope the puncture prevention sealant works for your tires. We are looking forward to reading more about your journey and will keep ourselves updated about it. We also hope that we are able to meet you guys once you are here in Delhi. Would love to host you guys if you need or else we can meet up sometime.
It’s going to be a long and tough journey but travel is the best way to learn and unlearn and grow. We also hope to travel this extensively someday. It is so exciting. At present we are keeping ourselves with small vacations and travels perhaps readying ourselves for a bigger one.
Well can keep on going on and on but will stop now and get back later. A bit tired after a hectic shoot and really need to sleep so that we are fresh tomorrow, Sunday for another rigorous shoot.
And yes, Subhashani is planning to learn more about fixing the car after reading the above. You guys keep rocking and drive safe. Bless you. Best wishes.
Subhashani & Vinimay
Wishing you Good Luck again!!
Hi,
So, All packed up … You must have started your journey .. Dont worry .. V hope you wont get much problems… our regards r there for you people..
v r waiting for your trip pics and videos…
and Best of luck for your HUGE trip…It will be great to see you in Delhi…
All the best bhaiya and bhabhi……BON VOYAGE……i am very excited to recieve you back here in delhi……..drive safe…….aur achi roads pe speed me bhi chala lena…..dont keep driving at snails pace……..and be very careful in india thats the worst part of your journey……
Hey guys !! All the best for this amazing journey ! cya in dilli !!
-Nishant
Hi monty and Pooja,I am very proud of you and all my blessings and good wishes are with you for this remarkable journey!And i must comment on your writing which is quite forthright and entertaining at the same time. Luv you and waiting for you anxiously!Proud to be an Indian.India will not be the worst part it will be homecoming and exhilarating !
Monty and Pooja,
you are doing a wonderful thing..which nobody in our family can ever do. I am so proud of both of u.I have read ur blog and am really very happy for both of you. Have a safe and happy journey. Waiting for u in delhi.Pooja has supported you so much..love her for that.
Good Luck guys… Take care…
hey guys,,, ur doing the best… enjoy every moment of it.
Best Wishes