Rendezvous with my first long drive!

The day had finally dawned when I took out my new car out on a long drive and nothing better an option than going to Tirupati with family in tow! All set for the drive, I still had some last minute checks before I could rev the small beast. We touched the NH4 leading to Chennai by around 7 in the morning. Dad kept staring at the odometer whenever I pressed the accelerator down and sis had to comfort him saying that it is a safe speed on a highway. Whew guess parents are the same way--always protective and at time inquisitive.

We had a quick breakfast of steaming idlis and coffee at the Kamat Upachara before we continued the journey. Sunlight started to make its presence and for once we had to face a sunny day minus the breeze that we Bengalooreans are so used to :(. Jackets and skull caps gave way to cool clothes and drinking water by liters. Now and then, trying to be smart, I overtook some of the bigger cars, only to be beaten later :(. Hitting a steady 90-100 k I was able to reach the foot of Tirumala by around 12 noon. After the vehicle check up by the stern looking cops who were keen to check what is below my seat and the boot, we started on the uphill. Road signs warned us about the speed and the dangers ahead. I was stiff and religiously followed a big bus only to be overtook by a speeding Ikon. Reason to overtake :) I thought and overtook the bus and reached the top of the hill. The serenity and the charm there welcomed us and we forgot the fatigue in the midst of cool breeze.

After the darshan of the Lord, we started early morning to head back to B'lore. The downhill, unlike the ascent, had many hair pin bends to negotiate; 58 to be precise. The first curve was easy and I felt like patting my back for my driving skills only to meet a steep curve ahead that was a bit tough to turn. Back to being cautious, I reached the bottom carefully and boy was it an experience!! I am sure many of you seasoned folks behind the wheel, would laugh it off, but it was an awesome experience for a first timer.

Later we touched the highway and headed home with a few pit stops for tender coconuts and nature's calls. While reaching the outskirts of B'lore, near the Volvo factory, traffic picked up and we had to slow down a bit. And it took a tough one hour from the Airport road to my place in BSK. Wish we could drive easily on city roads. If wishes were horses...