Reservations had hardly affected my life until my Amritsar trip got cancelled due to Jat community riots. Me with my other two members of 'M gang of gals' were extremely upset when we got to know that our train was cancelled. Since 3 months we scheduled those 5 days of the trip totally uninvolving so going back to the routine on those 5 days was not at all an appealing idea. We wanted to make those days as exciting as possible but searching for a good destination to visit for a day or two in Gujarat was quite a task. I had slightest idea of visiting Champaner but at the same time I was clueless about the geographical location and means of transport to that place. All thanks to Google baba, in just no time I figured out that there is one train Dehradun exp, which would take us to Champaner Rd. Junction from Surat. That was it. I shared my plan with Mahi and Mitali and they immediately agreed.
And the most adventurous day began
4:45 am on 27th March was the departure time of our train from Surat station - We reached just 15 mins before the scheduled departure - I hit my head with the stone platform at the cash counter while picking up my 100 Rs note - Mahi's phone was with me and Mits - Mahi got lost as she went to park her vehicle while we were buying tickets - somehow we found her after lot of confusion - luckily we boarded the train on time - fortunately we got seats in Ladies Coach - we spent the train time, chatting with each other ( mostly about guys) - At about 7:30, we reached Champaner Rd Junction - there were very few people on station - we clicked some pics then inquired about how to reach Champaner fort- Took an auto from station to Halol in (10 rs per person auto fare) - At Halol had some spicy gujju breakfast (khama ne idla) and sugarcane juice - Took Chhakda to reach Pavagadh ( Champaner Fort) - We entered the Fort and walked little distance - Sheher ki Masjid - We asked for a guide and he ( Narendra Modi) explained us the history - we bought a book with maps and attractions of the fort- walked through the village to Jami Masjid - The monument was extremely beautiful and its magnanimous site has left a long lasting effect on my mind - we sat there in shade - had a long chat about religions while eating theplas - completed our pics routine - walked through the farms to reach Kevda Masjid - equally beautiful - spent time in the serenity of the place - walked through the jungle - very gorgeous Nagina Masjid - got completely exhausted - we decided to leave the fort and go to the mountain (Saat Kamaan) - begged for water from a family residing in the fort - an auto driver gave us almost free ride to the taxi stop - boarded a sharing car - passengers were packed like too many clothes in a small suitcase - got down at saat kaman ( Seven Archs) - took rest - again we ate theplas - shared our food with the security person there - clicked awesome pics - waited for transport - asked for lift from foreigners to go downhill - discussed about Pune, IT firms, BPOs, Osho and breakups on the way - took an awesome selfie - parted ways - boarded a sharing car to Baroda - Mitali showed us places on the way as she was more familiar with the city - Had dal chawal in Pearl restaurant right opposite of the Baroda station - Missed an early train - waited for Puri exp. - noted the accounts of the on going trip and cancelled trip in the waiting room - partitioned the expenses - train arrived with two ladies coaches - the front coach was almost vacant - we were standing where the last coach stops - three of us took the decision that we'll run to the first coach - we ran - people tried to stop us - called us insane - but we ran - and we reached - and we got seats - made friends in train - Reached Surat.
Well Trippybabiesforever:-)))
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