London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 56 – 22 October 2016
Repairs, Goodbyes and Getting Kontiki Roadworthy Again
Today dawned bright, sunny, and extremely hot in Imphal, the capital of Manipur in north-eastern India.
After the challenges of Myanmar and the difficult mountain roads from Moreh, today would be less about sightseeing and more about ensuring that our faithful old motorhome was ready for the long road ahead.
The day also marked the end of a partnership that had been an important part of our journey through Asia.
After breakfast, it was time to say goodbye to Team USA.
Since entering China, we had travelled together through two countries, shared guides, hotels, meals, border crossings, and countless memorable experiences. We had supported one another through difficult roads, language barriers, bureaucratic challenges, and long days behind the wheel.
Now our routes would separate.
Team USA was heading towards their final destination of Varanasi, while Team Kontiki would continue westward towards Mumbai.
There were handshakes, photographs, and heartfelt good wishes before we parted ways.
Travelling companions often become friends very quickly on long journeys, and we would always remember the time spent together.
Once the farewells were over, our attention turned to Kontiki.
The poor roads of Myanmar had taken their toll. Both rear shock absorbers had suffered damage, one had completely failed, and the suspension was badly in need of attention. We also wanted to carry out a full mechanical inspection before tackling the thousands of kilometres still ahead.
Fortunately, help arrived through one of our contacts.
Gurpreet Sehmi, who lived nearby in Nagaon, recommended a well-equipped Tata Service Centre in Imphal. After contacting the owner, Mr Amardeep Cheema, we explained our situation.
Although Amardeep was out of town at the time, he immediately offered assistance.
He instructed us to wait at the hotel while he arranged for members of his team to come and collect us.
True to his word, they arrived within fifteen minutes.
That level of service immediately impressed us.
Soon afterwards, we followed them to the workshop.
The Tata Service Centre turned out to be modern, well organised, and equipped with everything required to tackle the repairs. Even more importantly, the mechanics were friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in our journey.
Once they heard we had driven all the way from London, the motorhome attracted almost as much attention as it had throughout China.
Work began immediately.
The damaged shock absorbers were removed and replaced, restoring the suspension to proper working order. Meanwhile, Ramesh rolled up his sleeves and joined the action himself, replacing the brake pads that had been causing concern earlier in the trip.
The workshop also carried out an oil change and performed a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle to identify any other potential issues.
After thousands of miles across Europe and Asia, Kontiki certainly deserved some professional attention.
Later in the day, Mr Amardeep Cheema himself arrived at the workshop.
After inspecting the vehicle and hearing about our adventure, he instructed his staff to give Kontiki a thorough wash.
Before long, our faithful motorhome was gleaming once again.
Freshly serviced, mechanically sound, and sparkling clean, she looked ready to tackle the next stage of the journey.
We settled the bill, thanked Amardeep and his team sincerely for their outstanding help and hospitality, and returned to our hotel in the evening.
By now, all three of us were extremely hungry.
A few well-earned drinks appeared first, followed by a search for somewhere local to eat.
Eventually, we found a restaurant serving traditional regional cuisine.
Tonight’s speciality was fish curry and rice served on a banana leaf.
For us, it was a new dining experience and another opportunity to sample local food.
The presentation was certainly memorable.
The taste?
Let’s just say it was interesting.
Not bad, but perhaps not a meal that would feature in Chef Ramesh’s top ten favourites of the trip!
Still, trying local dishes is part of the adventure, and we enjoyed the experience nonetheless.
As we returned to the hotel, there was a sense of relief within Team Kontiki.
The motorhome had survived some of the roughest roads imaginable and was now fully repaired and serviced.
The journey could continue.
And with every passing day, Mumbai was getting closer.
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
Weather: Hot, sunny, and humid
Highlights: Reuniting Kontiki with a proper workshop and successfully completing major repairs
Most memorable moment: Seeing Kontiki fully repaired, serviced, and washed after her ordeal in Myanmar
Special thanks: Gurpreet Sehmi and Mr Amardeep Cheema for their invaluable assistance
Vehicle work completed: New shock absorbers, brake pads, oil change, full inspection, and vehicle wash
Dinner: Fish curry and rice served traditionally on a banana leaf
Mood of the day: Relieved, grateful, and confident that Kontiki was ready for the road ahead
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki leaves Imphal and begins the long drive across India, with Mumbai now firmly in our sights on the final stages of our epic London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
