London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 69 – 4 November 2016
Stormy Seas and a Warm Welcome in Vizag
Our peaceful evening by the sea at Gopalpur turned out to be rather less peaceful during the night.
Shortly after we went to bed, the weather changed dramatically.
Heavy rain lashed the coastline, and a powerful storm swept in from the Bay of Bengal. Being right on the seafront, we felt the full force of the strong gusty winds as they battered the hotel and everything around it.
By morning, the storm had passed, leaving behind clear skies and fresh air.
However, it had also claimed one casualty.
The Indian flag mounted on Kontiki had been badly damaged by the overnight winds and would need replacing. After travelling across so many countries, it seemed a fitting reminder of just how powerful nature can be.
Fortunately, the weather had completely transformed.
The day dawned bright, sunny, and beautiful.
There was no rush to leave, so we enjoyed a relaxed morning before setting off for Visakhapatnam, more commonly known as Vizag, one of the largest and most important cities on India’s eastern coast.
The drive turned out to be one of the easiest we had enjoyed for quite some time.
The roads were excellent, traffic was manageable, and the scenery was pleasant. After weeks of battling potholes, mountain roads, and rough tracks, driving on smooth highways felt almost luxurious.
Before leaving, we had spoken to our friend Dr Ashok, who had kindly arranged accommodation for us at the prestigious Waltair Club, one of Vizag’s best-known social and sporting clubs.
Knowing that comfortable accommodation awaited us made the journey even more enjoyable.
There was, however, one important reason we were looking forward to reaching Vizag.
Kontiki urgently needed attention.
Although she had carried us faithfully from London across Europe and Asia, the rough roads of Myanmar and North-East India had taken a serious toll on her suspension. The rear of the motorhome was now sitting worryingly low, and before continuing further south and west, we needed to investigate the problem properly.
By around 3:30 pm, we rolled into Vizag.
Our first impressions were extremely positive.
The city felt noticeably cleaner, more organised, and more modern than many of the places we had passed through recently. Wide roads, attractive buildings, and a beautiful coastline gave Vizag a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.
In many ways, the seafront reminded us of coastal towns back in England.
Perhaps it was the broad promenade, the sea breeze, or simply the orderly appearance of the city.
Whatever the reason, it immediately felt familiar.
When we arrived at the Waltair Club, Dr Ashok was already there waiting to welcome us.
It was wonderful to meet a friend after so many weeks on the road.
After checking in and freshening up, we settled down for a few well-earned drinks while catching up on news and sharing stories from our journey.
Naturally, there was no shortage of stories to tell.
From German gearbox troubles and Chinese highways to Myanmar mountain roads and Indian border crossings, there was plenty to talk about.
As evening approached, Dr Ashok took us to a restaurant overlooking the beach.
The setting was beautiful.
The sea breeze was refreshing.
The company was excellent.
And the food was absolutely delicious.
After weeks of eating in roadside restaurants, fuel stations, hostels, and motorhome kitchens, it felt wonderful to enjoy a leisurely meal in such pleasant surroundings.
As we sat overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it was hard not to reflect on how far we had travelled.
From Leicester to Vizag, across continents, deserts, mountains, rivers, and borders, Kontiki had brought us this far.
Tomorrow, however, would be all about her.
A mechanic friend of Dr Ashok’s would be coming to inspect the motorhome and hopefully diagnose the suspension problems once and for all.
For tonight, though, we were simply grateful to be in a beautiful city, amongst good friends, enjoying excellent food and a little comfort after many weeks on the road.
Distance travelled: Approximately 170 km (105 miles)
Route: Gopalpur, Odisha to Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh
Weather: Beautiful sunshine following an overnight storm
Highlights: Arriving in Vizag and reuniting with friend Dr Ashok
Most memorable moment: Enjoying dinner by the beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal
Vehicle update: Indian flag damaged in storm; suspension requires urgent inspection
Accommodation: Waltair Club, Visakhapatnam
Dinner: Delicious seaside meal with Dr Ashok
Mood of the day: Relaxed, optimistic, and pleased to finally reach Vizag
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki takes a break from travelling and focuses on repairing our faithful old motorhome before continuing the final stages of our epic London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
