Road Trip To Gujarat

Road Trip to Gujarat 

Sharing my experience and the pictures that I captured on my Road Trip to Gujarat  in Dec 2014. 

Here are the Places that I visited on this trip

Anand

Gandhinagar

Sasan Gir

Somnath

Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Jamnagar

Bhuj

Rann Utsav

Start Date - 24th Dec 2015
Starting KM  61601

Ending Date - 04th Jan 2015
Ending KM 65017

Anand

Route Followed  :
Pune Magarpatta -> Mumbai Pune Express Way-> Ghodbander Road -> NH8 -> NE1-> Anand

Route Map :
http://goo.gl/EA5QL8

Dec 25th 2014.

Bio Breaks -> Mc Donalds Vapi,

Anand is the home of the Amul India,  the origin of white revolution. Here we took   a tour of  Milk Powder processing and Butter processing units with guides .

Parking has to be done on the road outside as the private vehicles are not allowed in the premises. I took  a pass at the entrance and produced a valid photo ID.  Pass is available free of cost and we got  the guidance of directions right from the gate. The people managing the show are co-operative and friendly.

Having Amul Ice-Cream at Amul :)

Posing in-front of the milk towers 

 in-front of a nicely maintained garden .

mooooooo..

We all know who she is :

Infront of the Dr. Kurien's Museum :

 The towers filled with  processed and pre-processed milk :

Selfie in-front of the towers :

Nicely maintained garden . 

The entire tour took less than 2 hours and a must watch for the young kids who would understand how the butter that they apply on the bread is processed from the raw milk and reach there table.

Gandhinagar 

Route Followed  :
Anand -> National Expressway 1 -> Sardar Patel Ring Road -> Gandhinagar

Route Map : http://goo.gl/RIlGuc

26th Dec 2014



We stayed at The Grand Pritam - TGP in Gandhinagar for one night. This hotel is located on the main road NH 8C and is marked precisely on the google maps. This is a budget hotel  and they provided us with basic breakfast in the morning . We visited Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park . This place is pretty good for the kids and we saw many school children  visiting the park . Apart from the Dinosaur park  they have a zoo  and a small collections of snakes.

Akshardham Temple is another attraction in Gandhinagar, but that I have seen in Oct 2010 trip to Rajasthan and Agra  .

Allosaurus

Deinonychus

Brontosaurus

Megalosaurus

Rajasaurus Narmadensis

The entire trip took less than 3 hours and it was a good opportunity for my kid to learn few things about Dinosaurs .

We  moved to Sasan Gir from here .

Sasan Gir 

Route Followed  :
Gandhinar-> Limbdi -> Rajkot -> Junagarh -> Sasan Gir

Route Map : http://goo.gl/5MMG11

Bio Break -> HFM  Limbdi .

26th Dec 2014

We started driving from Gandhinagar at around 11:30 AM and reached Sasan Gir by 8:00 PM .  We took bio and lunch break at HFM Limbdi. Its a really nice place to eat and take restroom break . The roads are amazing throughout except the last 15 KM before the resort. This  stretch  is rough and road is too small . One thing to remember is that google map while passing through Junagarh  takes you within the Junagarh city and tries to take you to some wrong roads. I got trapped in that and finally locals helped me to come out of the Junagarh City trap. I lost almost 40 min in finding a way out of Junagarh to Sasan gir.    We stayed at Sukhsagar Gir Resort . This resort is a nice property and is supposed to have the best restaurant and food in Sasan Gir.  The reviews are not incorrect about the food, they really serve  delicacies . Only thing they need to correct is  too much oil in the preparations. I booked 2 nights All Meals package at this resort and it was a good decision. 

On day 1 at night the Resort organised tribal dance  after the dinner. 

27th Dec 2014

I prebooked  on-line my Safari for Gir and Devalia http://girlion.in/ 90 days in advance.   I selected the safari timing of 6:00 AM . It was very cold that day and we reached Gir Sadan which  is just 1 KM from the resort towards  Somnath . We saw deers, nilgais and peacocks crossing over our way at multiple places but the King of the jungle was no where visible that day. Still the experience of early morning Jungle Safari  in a open Jeep was amazing. They gave us route 1 which has a tribal village at the end and some people of African origin were settled there .

Devalia Safari

While booking Sasan Gir Safari, I booked the Devalia safari as well. Devalia is located  around 10 Km away from  Gir Sadan towards Junagarh  . This is also called as Gir  Interpretation zone and a bus ride takes you through the safari . They have some lions in open and some in cage. We spotted deer, jakal , nil gai and lions in the safari .  An alternative way to keep the kid excited about spotting a lion in the wild.
The online booking had a privilege line  where there was no rush at all. I stepped in with the booking printout and came out with the bus number and the seats in less than 3 min.. Wow what a feeling to step over a line of 100 people who were waiting for almost 30 to 40 min .

After we were done with  both the Safari, it was time to go back to the hotel and teak some rest. The swimming pool in the hotel is really nice and clean, but it was chilling cold. Me and my daughter took enough courage to take a shower with cold water and jumped in the pool , but we could not stay inside for more than 30 min .
Then I took her to some swings mounted  near the pool and spent time talking to each other.

Somnath Temple

Route Followed  :
 Sasan Gir -> Somnath Temple

Route Map : http://goo.gl/920inf    
                    http://goo.gl/Dpbm30


28th Dec 2014

After having our breakfast at Sukh Sagar resort we started for Somnath  and Dwarka circuit. We were aware that its going to be a long day  for us on the road. 

It took about 1.5 hour for us to reach Somnath Temple  from Gir and by 11 we were there. Just to give a heads up that google map will try to take you inside the town   en-route to the temple. But  Gujarat govt has made a 6 lane road as a by pass for the temple and there is a board that indicates too . I followed the board and ditched the maps and that saved me from entering the town . 

Somnath temple management is very surprising. They have all the information marked , there are good parking places available , lockers available ,  and you will not find people irritating you and gushing on you to sell . Remember following items are not allowed in the premises - Mobile Phones, Cameras , Belts, Shoes , Car Keys  with Remote control. Had a nice experience at the Somnath temple and the gallery to watch the sea is very  beautiful. In about 2 hours our visit to Somnath was over and we were all set to move towards Dwarka. I promised my kid to take her to a beach on this day . I acted bit lazy about going to Somnath beach as people told me it  a walking for around 10-15 min to reach the beach from the parking. From the gallery of temple we saw another beach which looks like on road side and I thought I will take my kid there. On enquiring we found   that the beach I saw from the top was near Balkha Tirth and Bhid Bhanjan. But once we reached there , it was not clean at all and we decided to move forward. Some one told us  that there is a Chorwad beach on the way to Dwarka and I  put that on my maps and started driving. Once we reached that beach a big notice board with faded painting stated clearly that beach is rocky and dangerous and people are not advised to go close to the beach area. I wanted to say thanks to who ever has put that  board , that helped me to reverse my car and continued moving towards Dwarka. And 50 Km before Porbandar we hit a surprise. A pristine clean and beautiful beach on the road side. I could not stop myself to park the car and  jump on the beach . The sea  here is rough and  was looking deep . We stayed at the shore and waited for the waves to reach us and enjoy them . A 40 min break at this place really made our day and my promise got fulfilled.

By 8 PM we reached Govardhan Greens resort at Dwarka. This resort is about 8 KM before Dwarka and marked precisely on the google maps. My experience here had made me to believe  this is the best resort to stay if you are going to Dwarka. We settled down and had a buffet dinner in the dining hall which was great . 

Dwarka and Bet Dwarka

Route Followed  :
Govardhan Greens -> Dwarkadheesh Temple -> Bet Dwarka -> Rukmani Temple -> Goverdhan Greens -> Jamnagar

Route Map :  http://goo.gl/zCMtS7


29th Dec 2014

As the hotel suggested us , post breakfast we checkout from the hotel and drove towards Dwarkadheesh temple. The entrance of this temple is grand  and while walking through the Gomti ghaat it looks very nice. I just want to give you a heads up about this place. Dwarka temples have a specific time schedule which you can get from this link  http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/305  (Scroll Down on the general section) .

These timings of closing create chaos   in the crowd and there is no proper queue management. I could not find a managed shoe stand  here luckily there was one locker where I deposited the phones , cameras  and my car keys.

After darshan we moved towards Bet Dwarka. Its a drive of around 40 Km to the boat jetty .   To reach Bet Dwarka we have to take a boat ride  I found a big queue for the boat. Police was trying their best to control the crowd and the queue but  then patience is not abundance in our countrymen . There  were people trying to trip the queue and reach early to make sure those who are standing in line will get delayed. 

Even for Bet Dwarka there are similar timing restrictions and the darshan closes at 12.00 Noon . And then reopens at 4:00 PM . There was a big mess as we  reached just around 11:50 AM . Cameras, Phone, Car Keys are not allowed here too and there was 1 locker facility which does not accept any bags, only cameras and phone. My bag has  nothing  except cameras and phones , but he was not accepting it and it was just 1 counter an 1 man managing the show. Some how I took my kid and went inside and my wife decided to sit out with the bag, by the time we both came out of the temple , they closed the door and my wife could not enter for the darshan .

Waiting till 4 PM was not an option as we had to reach Jamnagar by end of today . We moved back  from Bet Dwarka by boat and started for Jamnagar . On the way we  visited Rukmani temple and took the lunch  and bio break back at the Goverdhan Greens.  Around 3:00 pm we started for Jamagar

Jamnagar

Route Followed  : Jamnagar -> Narara Marine Park -> Jamnagar

Route Map : http://goo.gl/zuYsrD

Bio Break ->Security Post at Narara Marine Park

30th Dec 2014

This is one of the exciting day I was waiting for. I prebooked a trip to Narara  Marine national park with hotel President  and that's the reason why  I have chosen to stay at this hotel at Jamnagar. 

Mr Mustak  is a real wild life and marine life enthusiast who will help you to understand about the trip when you meet him at the hotel .

We bought some economical shoes of some Alstar brand  for Rs 300 each pair from a shop opposite to the hotel to prepare for this trip and started around 12:00 from the hotel. We packed up some sandwich  and picked up some chips and juices for the kids.

We reached by 1:00 o' clock and water  was reseeding quickly by that time.

Our guide  spotted some exiting marine and coral life at Narana Marine national park .

Once we came back from the Marine park , we took some rest at the hotel and in the evening we tried out some paun bhaji at Milan Paun Bhaji centre . The ladies also went to Mahalakhmi chowk to buy  Ghagra Choli  dresses . It was a wonderful day with the kids and family.

Bhuj

Route Followed  : Jamnagar -> Dhrol -> Morbi By Pass -> Anjar -> Mandvi Beach

Route Map :http://goo.gl/TuDB3B

Bio Break -> At Mandvi beach (Poor Facilities at beach)

31th Dec 2014

This day our target was to reach Mandvi Beach in Bhuj. It was a long drive today and we started at around 10:00 AM from Jamnagar . The google maps navigation should be avoided again when driving from Jamnagar to Mandvi. It was guiding me to reach  via a small road but I decided to use the direction  boards erected by the government. 

Road from Jamnagar till  Mundra Port turn before Gandhidham is amazing .  From that turn till Mundra  its  under construction  and road is dominated by heavy and huge trucks and trailers . Its obvious due to the port that we will find these heavy vehicles . 

Mandvi beach is not marked properly on the maps. We lost time in searching the beach , first it took us to a residential colony and then it took us to (Beach camp at Mandvi Palace  ) a private beach which did not allowed us to go to the beach  . If Mr. Modi some how read this blog , I want to bring up2  things about Mandvi  

1).  Can beach be private in our country ? As far as I know it cannot be , so how can this beach  (Beach camp at Mandvi Palace  ) have become private and not allowing people to experience the beauty of our country ?

2) . Why there are no proper washrooms and  sanity facility at Windfarm Beach Mandvi ?

 We finally found the beach with the help of local residents  , Its called wind farm beach . I have marked the beach on my route map above.  Once we stepped in the beach ,  first thing that caught my eyes was the shallow waters and smooth sea waves, and I was so excited to jump in the see . The second thing that caught my eyes was filth and littering all around .

I walked for around a KM towards the wind farm and the beach was cleaner and pretty this side.  Had fun with the kids and family till the sunset . I really liked the beach and the sea here. I wish  government can add few facilities here , and put some monitoring in place to control the hawkers littering . 

This is one beach I would like to propose to everyone going on a Gujarat trip , I really really enjoyed my 2 hour stay on this beach with family.

After sunset we started towards Bhuj city which is about 65 KM from beach  ,where I booked our overnight stay at hotel Illark. I have to mention in my blog about this hotel. Mr. Manmeet Jani, the manager at hotel Illark is a  gentleman . Soft spoken , helpful , hospitality expert. I had just a night stay here but the hotel  is very clean and beautiful, rooms are spacious and food served is wonderful . I would recommend anyone who would like to stay at Bhuj , should try to find a room at this hotel  and try the  food here. 

Rann Utsav

Route Followed  :Bhuj -> Rann Utsav

Route Map : http://goo.gl/UM3DAg



1st Jan 2015

Kutch Nahi Dekha to Kutch Nahi Dekha - A well said tag line set by Gujarat Tourism  and marketed by Mr Amitabh Bachhan . Well  I am glad that my experience on this Kutch trip was inline with the tagline. 

I booked 2 night package at Rann Utsav via Tulsi Travels in Pune who are authorized agents for Gujarat Tourism . 

It took around 1.5 hour from Bhuj to reach Dhordo , Rann Utsav tent city . The road is single but the quality and visibility on road is great.

As I stepped in the reception , I could realize how big is this going to be. I came to know about the  facts that there are 350 tents in the tent city , 2 big dining halls, 8 clusters of tents in round shape , activity areas, yoga area, entertainment area, Para-motoring, bon fire area  etc etc .

On day 1 we were welcomed by sand storm  and post lunch we kept us inside our tent till high tea.  Post high tea we went for the complimentary trip to white  desert.  It looks like you have stepped on a different  world when you enter this unique place . The salt bed of squares  of kilometres  looked like a white land till infinity . Its a  true picturesque destination for any  nature photographer   .

After sunset we reached back the Rann Utsav tent city . Had dinner and then moved towards the entertainment zone. We enjoyed the evening with some great performance and shows .

2nd Jan 2015

Next day after having our heart filling breakfast we went to activity area . The kids got addicted to some of the games and they  got fully engaged. Me and my wife took and opportunity to take  bicycle ride around the tent city which they give free for 20 min .

 

Post lunch we were all set to go  for the complimentary trip to Kalo Dungar. Its the highest point in Kutch and you see a pristine view of the white Desert and sun set.

By the night we were back , had our dinner  again rushed towards the white sand desert to see a view of this  miracle  at night. It was not a full moon night but the moonlight was about 80-90% which was still good to roam around in the lap of nature in dark . 

3rd Jan 2015

In the morning I went for para-motoring. Its a 5 min fun and a great opportunity for taking an areal view of the white desert, salt beds and the mystique tent city. Just a heads up that taking photographs are not allowed form the para motoring . 

After having our breakfast the tent city management helped us to get the luggage till our cars and we finally checked out . We went to  Bhuj for shopping and I went back at hotel Illark for recommendation. He suggested us to go to Kutch Bandej  for shopping on Anam Ring Road.  We parked the car at the hotel  Illark and went by walk . The ladies bought some traditional Kutch  dresses and we  took the bio break at hotel Illark  before starting our journey back to Pune. 

It took 2 days for us from Bhuj to reach Pune. We took halt at hotel Savshanti , Vadodra. And from there we came to Pune .