London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 46 – 12 October 2016
New Friends and a Gentle Drive to Leshan
After yesterday’s excitement in Chengdu and the milestone of reaching the halfway point of our journey, we decided to take things a little easier today.
There was no rush to leave.
The road to Mumbai was still long, and every now and then it is important to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Before departing Chengdu, we arranged to meet Mr Bing Liang, our tour operator, for lunch. Over the past few weeks, Bing had been instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of travelling through China, from permits and paperwork to accommodation and logistics. It was a pleasure to spend some time with him away from the formalities of the journey.
Over lunch, we chatted about our experiences in China so far and discussed the route ahead. Looking back, we realised just how much ground we had covered since entering the country.
Just as we were preparing to leave Chengdu, another unexpected encounter added a little extra colour to the day.
We met Paul and Allison, a friendly English couple from Barnet, North London. Like so many people we had met along the way, they were fascinated by Kontiki and our route map. Once they heard that we were driving all the way from London to Mumbai in a 22-year-old motorhome, they were full of questions.
What was supposed to be a brief conversation soon turned into an enjoyable chat about travel, adventure, and life on the road.
It never ceased to amaze us how often complete strangers became friends simply because of a shared love of travelling.
Eventually, it was time to continue our own journey.
Our destination for the day was Leshan, located approximately 150 kilometres from Chengdu.
The distance itself was not great, but the route took us through mountainous terrain, meaning progress was slower than on the fast motorways we had become accustomed to.
The scenery, however, more than compensated for the reduced speed.
The road wound its way through beautiful hills and valleys, offering spectacular views of rural Sichuan. Villages appeared amongst the mountains, rivers flowed through the valleys below, and the countryside felt a world away from the busy city streets of Chengdu.
It was one of those drives where the journey itself became the attraction.
After around three hours on the road, we eventually arrived in Leshan.
By the time we settled in, it was approaching 8:00 pm.
We found a pleasant hotel for the night and, as had become Team Kontiki tradition, booked a single room primarily to use the shower and bathroom facilities.
The hotel staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming.
When they learned about our journey, they kindly allowed us to connect Kontiki to their electricity supply. This was particularly useful because our refrigerator had been working hard throughout the trip, and a reliable electrical hook-up was always appreciated.
It may sound like a small thing, but after weeks on the road, simple gestures such as these made a huge difference.
With everything settled, the evening became a relaxed affair.
A few drinks appeared, followed by a light meal, and soon we were sitting comfortably reflecting on another successful day.
There had been no major sightseeing, no famous landmarks, and no dramatic adventures.
Yet days like these are an important part of any long overland expedition.
They provide an opportunity to recharge, appreciate the kindness of people you meet, and simply enjoy the experience of travelling.
As darkness settled over Leshan, Team Kontiki retired for the night, well rested and ready for whatever adventures tomorrow might bring.
Distance travelled: Approximately 150 km (95 miles)
Route: Chengdu to Leshan, China
Weather: Pleasant and comfortable
Highlights: Lunch with Mr Bing Liang and meeting fellow British travellers Paul and Allison from Barnet
Most memorable moment: Sharing travel stories with new friends before leaving Chengdu
Accommodation: Hotel with electric hook-up for Kontiki
Dinner: Light meal and drinks at the hotel
Mood of the day: Relaxed, content, and enjoying a slower pace of travel
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki explores Leshan, home to one of China’s most remarkable monuments, before continuing our epic road journey from London to Mumbai.
