London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 84 – 19 November 2016
A Day in Bengaluru and Thoughts of Goa
After a comfortable night’s rest in Dharmapuri, Team Kontiki was back on the road by 8:00 am.
The day began in the best possible way—with a hearty South Indian breakfast.
About an hour into our journey, we stopped at a roadside café where we enjoyed steaming cups of masala tea along with a delicious selection of local breakfast dishes. By now, we had developed quite a taste for South Indian cuisine, and this was another meal that certainly did not disappoint.
With everyone refreshed and energised, we continued north towards Bengaluru, one of India’s most modern and dynamic cities.
Fortunately, the distance was not great, and by around 10:30 am we were already entering the city.
Our first destination was the home of Anand Baid, a fellow road-trip enthusiast whom we had been looking forward to meeting.
A few years earlier, Anand, his wife, and their two children had completed an impressive family road trip from Bengaluru all the way to Paris in their Fiat car. Naturally, we had plenty to talk about.
As travellers often discover, conversations between people who have driven across continents never seem to run out.
Over cups of tea, we exchanged stories of border crossings, vehicle breakdowns, navigation disasters, unexpected friendships, and unforgettable moments on the road.
Although our journeys had taken different routes, the spirit of adventure that motivated them was exactly the same.
Meeting Anand reinforced something we had noticed repeatedly throughout this trip: there is a special bond between overland travellers, even when meeting for the very first time.
After spending an enjoyable hour or so together, we thanked Anand for his hospitality and headed into the city.
Rather than fighting Bengaluru’s traffic with Kontiki, we decided to experience the city using its modern Metro system.
For all of us, this proved to be an enjoyable part of the day.
The metro was clean, efficient, and easy to use, allowing us to explore parts of the city without the stress of driving.
Bengaluru immediately impressed us.
Known as India’s “Silicon Valley,” the city combines modern infrastructure, green spaces, shopping districts, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Compared with many of the cities we had visited recently, it felt modern, organised, and energetic.
We spent several hours wandering through different parts of the city, observing daily life and soaking up the atmosphere.
The more we saw, the more we liked it.
If time had permitted, we would happily have stayed here for a few days.
But time was now becoming our greatest enemy.
After nearly three months on the road, our journey was entering its final stages. Mumbai was drawing ever closer, and our schedule left little room for extended stops.
As we reflected on the adventure so far, we realised just how much we had experienced.
We had crossed continents.
We had travelled through eleven countries.
We had navigated deserts, mountains, forests, mega-cities, and remote villages.
We had overcome breakdowns, border crossings, language barriers, and countless unexpected challenges.
Most importantly, we had lived a dream that many people only talk about.
Now, however, we felt we had earned a small reward before the journey ended.
A few days of relaxation.
A little sunshine.
Perhaps a beach or two.
There was only one place that came to mind.
Goa.
The very mention of Goa instantly lifted our spirits.
Golden beaches, warm sunshine, fresh seafood, and a slower pace of life sounded like the perfect way to unwind before reaching Mumbai and completing our epic London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
As the day drew to a close, our thoughts were already turning westwards.
The countdown to the finish line continued, but first there would be one final detour.
Goa, here we come!
Distance travelled: Approximately 150 km
Route: Dharmapuri to Bengaluru
Weather: Warm, sunny, and pleasant
Highlights: Meeting fellow overland traveller Anand Baid and exploring Bengaluru by Metro
Most memorable moment: Sharing travel stories with a family who had driven from Bengaluru to Paris
Places visited: Anand Baid’s home and various parts of Bengaluru via Metro
Breakfast: Traditional South Indian breakfast with masala tea at a roadside café
Reflection: Appreciating how much had been achieved since leaving London nearly three months earlier
Next destination: Goa
Mood of the day: Relaxed, reflective, and excited about a few days of well-earned relaxation
“Every road trip eventually reaches its destination, but before ours ended, there was still time for one last taste of freedom on the beaches of Goa.”
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki leaves Bengaluru behind and heads west towards Goa, where some well-deserved relaxation awaits before the final run to Mumbai.
