London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 71 – 6 November 2016
A Relaxing Day in Vizag
For the first time in many weeks, Team Kontiki had nowhere to drive and no timetable to follow.
With Kontiki undergoing major suspension repairs, we found ourselves with the rare luxury of being able to slow down and simply enjoy where we were.
So naturally, we took full advantage of it.
After a well-deserved lie-in, we headed down for breakfast at the Waltair Club. Being in South India, the breakfast menu was quite different from what we had been enjoying elsewhere in the country.
The delicious South Indian breakfast, accompanied by hot tea and fresh fruit, was an excellent way to begin the day.
Outside, the weather was perfect.
The sun was shining, temperatures were warm, and a pleasant sea breeze drifted in from the Bay of Bengal.
Rather than rushing anywhere, we decided to do something we had not done for quite a while—go for a long leisurely walk along the seafront.
After spending thousands of miles sitting behind a steering wheel, the opportunity to stretch our legs felt wonderful.
The promenade was lively and full of activity. Families were out enjoying the sunshine, fishermen were going about their daily routines, and numerous food and tea stalls lined the waterfront.
Before long, temptation got the better of us.
We stopped at one of the roadside stalls, sat on simple wooden stools, and ordered a couple of cups of freshly made masala tea.
There was something wonderfully satisfying about sitting by the sea, sipping hot tea, and watching the world go by.
Sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable.
As we continued our walk, we realised that Ganesh’s workshop was not far away.
Naturally, curiosity got the better of us.
We decided to pay a visit and see how our faithful motorhome was getting on.
When we arrived, the workshop was busy with various cars and commercial vehicles. Ganesh and his team were occupied working on other jobs while waiting for the suspension parts for Kontiki to arrive.
Although there was little progress to report, everyone seemed relaxed and confident that the repairs would be completed once the parts arrived.
Since we were there anyway, Ramesh came up with an idea.
He asked one of the mechanics to buy some eggs from a nearby shop.
Soon afterwards, Kontiki’s travelling kitchen was back in action.
Ramesh prepared a delicious egg curry and rice, enough for everyone at the workshop to enjoy.
As a gesture of appreciation, we also offered the mechanics a couple of small shots of whisky to accompany lunch.
The result was a wonderful impromptu gathering.
Mechanics, travellers, and friends sat together sharing food, stories, and laughter.
Language barriers mattered very little.
Good food and goodwill have a way of bringing people together.
After lunch, we returned to the club for a short rest before heading out again later in the afternoon.
This time we visited a local temple before continuing to Kailasagiri, one of Visakhapatnam’s most famous attractions.
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the city and the Bay of Bengal, Kailasagiri offers spectacular panoramic views.
The highlight was seeing the enormous statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which dominate the hillside and can be seen from miles away.
The views across the coastline were breathtaking, especially as the afternoon sun began to soften.
Unfortunately, Dr Ashok was busy with work commitments today and could not join us.
However, he once again demonstrated his generosity by arranging for one of his friends to collect us and take us out for dinner.
This evening’s destination was a well-known vegetarian restaurant.
As committed meat-eaters, we approached the meal with some caution.
We needn’t have worried.
The food was outstanding.
Every dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavour, and served with genuine South Indian hospitality.
And the desserts?
Absolutely amazing.
By the end of the meal, we were completely won over.
It had been a day with no driving, no border crossings, no breakdowns, and no navigation challenges.
Instead, it was a day filled with simple pleasures—walking by the sea, sharing food with new friends, enjoying beautiful views, and appreciating the kindness of people we had met along the way.
After the intensity of the previous ten weeks, it was exactly what Team Kontiki needed.
Location: Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh
Weather: Warm, sunny, and breezy
Highlights: Walking along the seafront, visiting Kailasagiri, and sharing lunch with Ganesh’s workshop team
Most memorable moment: Cooking egg curry and rice for the mechanics working on Kontiki
Vehicle update: Waiting for suspension parts to arrive before repairs can continue
Places visited: Seafront promenade, local temple, and Kailasagiri Hill Park
Dinner: Outstanding South Indian vegetarian meal and desserts
Mood of the day: Relaxed, grateful, and enjoying a well-earned break from life on the road
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues to enjoy Vizag while waiting for news from the workshop and hoping to get Kontiki back on her wheels for the final stretch to Mumbai.
