Already finished my half journey. The previous night, I was just planning the further route of the journey. Actually my schedule was running a bit late. It was because I spend a bit more time on Karnali because of the love of villagers who insisted to have lunch with them. Anyways, it was a nice experience though.
According to the pre-planned schedule, I was suppose to be at Bharuch for the night hault, but I was still at Narmada. Still even did not see Rajpipla. Hence according to the plan, next day I can't directly start for Ahwa-Saputara. The reason is, that I have to go to see Rajpipla first, then have to either catch Bharuch highway or have to go by interior highways.
So, I searched Google Map (thank god, Reliance broadband network was still accessible in such dense jungle), and suddenly an Idea came to my mind. Instead of visiting Ahwa, why can't I just explore this jungle by the route of Dediapada-Sagbara-Ukai?
According to the pre-planned schedule, I was suppose to be at Bharuch for the night hault, but I was still at Narmada. Still even did not see Rajpipla. Hence according to the plan, next day I can't directly start for Ahwa-Saputara. The reason is, that I have to go to see Rajpipla first, then have to either catch Bharuch highway or have to go by interior highways.
So, I searched Google Map (thank god, Reliance broadband network was still accessible in such dense jungle), and suddenly an Idea came to my mind. Instead of visiting Ahwa, why can't I just explore this jungle by the route of Dediapada-Sagbara-Ukai?
The route was passing through Shoolpaneshwar Wild Life Sanctuary, and this would be indeed a good experience to see such an tourist-abandoned area. However it was Adivasi zone, so have to be careful too, because their rules and regulations are quite different, and we must not disturb it anyway.
So early morning I woke up 7 AM around. There was no question of having tea or breakfast because no cafeteria and it was a jungle. So I decided to take bath and leave immediately. It was around 8:20 morning and I accelerated my bike towards Rajpipla, leaving behind the memories of such a beautiful jungle area of Kevadiya. Had breakfast (kind of) and tea on the way and reached Rajpipla around 9 AM.
I just heard that there is a palace in Rajpipla, so I started searching it. At first by mistake I entered into a society, but could not find anything which even looks like a palace. The I inquired somebody, and he told that there is a palace called "Vadia Palace" which is inside some government resident colony. I found it.
Vadia Palace was a completely abandoned palace (currently I don't know but before 2 years it was). There is a circle shaped pond in front of the palace, the palace entrance has a porch like all other palace do have. The window glasses are broken, may be because of stone pelting. Main door is closed and the floor is full of dust and dry tree-leaves. I inquired to a local person and he said that nobody is much interested to take care of this palace. However there is an another palace where the princely state's last king and queen is still residing. This palace is called Rajvansh Palace. It also has the museum. I just asked for the direction and soon I reached there. It is not much far, it is just inside the city only and may be 1-2 km far from Vadia Palace.
There is a nice exterior and entrance of this palace. It has lovely museum on the ground floor and on upper floor, king and queen are living. The palace is considered as heritage site and there was a ticket of 5 Rs. to see the museum and some part of palace. I was so much happy to know the history. According to it, the daughter of the one of the emperor of the state had got married to Kashmiri Prince and went to Kashmir State. Since then, the state had nice relations with Kashmir and Sindh states. The kingdom was really good and was believing in progress rather then fights and expansion of kingdom. Even I met the local old people, they were also saying that all kings were so much kind to the public and were taking full care of each and every person of the state.
Anyways, enjoyed the lovely palace, the beautiful river side at the back of the palace. Oh it is almost 11 and I have to reach beyond Ukai by evening and was not aware how the road of Dediapada-Sagbara could be. So I escaped quickly and soon grabbed Rajpipla-Dediapada highway.
Well it is a lovely highway with hilly ups and down roads. But, the worry started as my bike came in reserve mode just after 11 km I left Rajpipla. Just to remind you that last I re-fueled before reaching Vadodara. Then I finished Pavagadh, returned back to Vadodara, roam around the city, then covered Chandod, Sardar Sarovar, Rajpipla and now the fuel was over (reserve mode). Can you believe that Rs. 300 fuel has covered 320 KM...!!! This is why I love this bike (Bajaj Platina 110 CC).
Now actual worry started, because I was not able to find any fuel pump on the way. However in reserve mode the bike has 2 liter of petrol so can easily reach Dediapada, but I don't want to take chance. Then I asked somebody and he said that there are only 3 fuel stations in this area (1) Dediapada City (2) Netrang City, which is not in my route (3) Sagbara city (see above map again). And if I need fuel, I have to buy it from the local people who were selling it illegally and cost was 100 rs. per liter. However I could have easily reached Dediapada but still I bought 50 Rs. fuel and continued towards Dediapada.
Enjoying the scenic beauty of Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary I reached Dediapada after half an hour. Then I found a fuel pump having a bit long queue of two-wheelers. When I asked for the fuel of Rs. 300 they refused and said that there is a rationing system here because of remote area and I can get only fuel of Rs. 100 maximum. I told that I am on journey and have to travel on highways, then they suggested to re-fuel on Sagbara again.
Anyways after re-fueling I continued towards Sagbara, and now the bad road started. The road condition was worst that even I was not able to take the speed of 30 km/h. After another 25 minutes I reached very near to Sagbara and took the halt for Lunch. Well, it was just a dhaba and only snacks were served. I had some Samosa, Kachori and tea and then continued.
There is a tip for the travelers who do such kind of journey "Do not eat much during day time. Take light snacks, glucose and water throughout journey and have good meal only at night during halt."
Well, Sagbara was just 7-8 km away, and I gave lift to a college student of Sagbara. I dropped him there and inquired the road to Ukai, and in next 5 minutes I was on the way to Ukai Dam.
I must tell, the way from Sagbara to Ukai was the best highway of my entire trip as well as best highway I ever enjoyed. It passes from a complete tribal-forest fusion area. It passes from dense jungle to lovely green Ghats. It climbs the hills, it roams inside the valley. It passes by small Kasbaa and also passes by green farms. Tapi river runs parallel to this highway. If you stop in the midst of jungle, stop your bike engine, you will feel the roar of water flowing in Tapi river which is just next few meters after jungle from the highway.
I drove at constant 40-50 kmph speed with lots of ups and down and zig-zag roads and reached Ukai Dam around 4 PM. Had a lovely tea on the way and headed towards the Dam site office. Unfortunately there was no staff because of Diwali holidays, hence no one was there to give permission, and the security staff was not allowing to enter without permission slip from the Dam site office. Along with me there were 2-3 more families but all got disappointed. Then I inquired and found that there is a crematorium ahead from where the Dam catchment area is visible.
I just moved back towards the crematorium. It was a lonely place among the green fields. Thank god, I found the steps going down to the catchment area. Ohhh...!!! it was a HUGE HUGE dam... The catchment area was dry but I could hear the roar of water gathered on the another side of the dam. I spent a quality time there to observe the dam.
It was almost 5:45 PM and I have to go back to find the halt. Because near Ukai there is not much good quality hotels to stay. I started the bike again and moved towards NH 6. It is the highway connecting Surat to Maharashtra. I continued to NH 6 and headed towards Vyara. I thought if I can find some good hotel inside, hence I entered into the city. It is a small and a bit congested town. I tried couple of guest houses but they were dirty and very uncomfortable. I also tried the circuit house, but it was occupied by some MLA or MP because of some family get together.
Finally I decided to continue on highway towards Surat and if I can find any hotel on highway. It was dark because winter was started and early sunset. Just as I reached Bardoli, I saw "Hotel Sahyog" on the highway. I approached and luckily I found the room there with cost of Rs. 430 per night. Well, this is what actually I wanted, as I wanted to stay on peaceful atmosphere of highway and this hotel was providing exactly the same.
A nice room with TV, hot water and shower in bathroom. I had bath, then surf few channels in TV. Then went for Dinner at downstairs. Well, I must say "Sahyog Hotel" serves lovely food, no matter whichever hotel you find on highway in entire Gujarat. So had lovely dinner, then went back to my room. Oh wow.. "Andaz Apna Apna" was running in a TV channel. I enjoyed it with the next day plan preparation.
A benefit of highway hotel is, that restaurant remains open 24 X 7. So had a lovely hot tea at midnight (around 1 AM), and went to sleep.
Please stay connected for 4th and Last day.