London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 43 – 9 October 2016
Through Rivers, Mountains and Tunnels Towards Chengdu
After our fascinating visit to the Terracotta Army yesterday, it was time once again to leave history behind and continue our long journey across China.
This morning we said goodbye to Xi’an, one of China’s most historic cities and the ancient starting point of the Silk Road. Although we only spent a short time there, the city had left a lasting impression on all of us.
Our destination now was Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, located approximately 800 kilometres away.
The day began under grey skies. Rain fell steadily, and the temperature had dropped noticeably. It was one of those days when the warmth and comfort of Kontiki felt especially welcome.
Despite the weather, driving conditions were excellent.
The roads continued to be among the best we had encountered anywhere on our journey. Traffic was surprisingly light, and for long stretches it felt as though we had the motorway almost entirely to ourselves.
One thing that continued to amaze us was the sheer scale of China’s engineering projects.
Throughout the day, we crossed countless bridges spanning fast-flowing rivers and valleys. The route also took us through an endless succession of tunnels cut through mountains. Some were short, while others seemed to continue for miles beneath the hills.
Every time we emerged from a tunnel, another impressive landscape unfolded before us.
The scenery was constantly changing. Rivers rushed through deep valleys, mountains rose on either side of the road, and forests covered the hillsides. Even with the rain and low clouds, the journey was spectacular.
As the hours passed, Team Kontiki settled into its familiar routine.
Driving, chatting, drinking tea, admiring the scenery, and occasionally discussing what Ramesh might cook that evening.
Eventually, after another full day on the road, we reached the town of Guangyuan, where we had decided to spend the night.
We found a small hotel and booked a single room primarily so that we could use the facilities, showers, and enjoy a comfortable base for the evening.
As had become our usual arrangement, Dayal claimed the room, while Ramesh and I remained faithful to our motorhome and slept in Kontiki.
Team USA and our guide Abby also checked into the same hotel, making it another pleasant overnight stop with familiar company.
As soon as we were settled, Chef Ramesh sprang into action.
The aroma of cooking soon drifted through the motorhome and attracted the attention of anyone nearby.
First came a batch of delicious chicken wings, which paired perfectly with a few cold beers after a long day’s drive. Then followed a hearty egg curry with rice, prepared for everyone to enjoy.
By now, these evening meals had become one of the highlights of our journey.
No matter where we travelled, whether in Europe, Central Asia, or China, the sight of friends gathered around a simple meal inside Kontiki created a feeling of home.
Outside, the weather remained cold and damp.
Inside, however, there was warmth, laughter, good food, and good company.
As we enjoyed dinner and reflected on the day, it was hard to believe how far we had already travelled. From Leicester to the heart of China, our faithful 22-year-old motorhome continued to perform brilliantly.
Another day, another city, and another step closer to Mumbai.
Distance travelled: Approximately 500 miles (800 km)
Route: Xi’an to Guangyuan, China
Weather: Rainy, cloudy, and cool
Highlights: Driving through spectacular mountain scenery, crossing numerous bridges, and passing through countless tunnels
Accommodation: Small hotel with motorhome parking
Dinner: Chicken wings, egg curry, rice, and cold beer
Most memorable moment: Watching the ever-changing mountain landscapes unfold through the rain-soaked windows of Kontiki
Mood of the day: Relaxed, comfortable, and grateful for another safe day on the road
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues towards Chengdu, venturing deeper into Sichuan Province and discovering yet another fascinating corner of China on our epic road journey from London to Mumbai.
