Days 35-38 of 100 in India plus other fun stuff

As we ride throughout the day we experience a lot of variety in nature, foods and what we see on the road.  They load their trucks so heavy that it is not uncommon to see a truck over turned.

Or maybe the truck was swerving from this road kill.  They never drag the dead animal off the road.  They leave them for the vultures to eat.  It turns into a real nice smell to ride by (if you know what I mean).

Dead cow.

Or you may encounter some very aggressive monkeys.  Pretty smart may I add.  They will jump on you and grab your food and/or water.  Below they stole a water bottle, unscrewed the top, and then poured it on the ground so they could lap it up.

We have had some challenges with the hot weather with riding temperatures reaching 120 degrees.  We frequently have to stop to get something cold to drink, get in the shade or have some good ole roadside watermelon.

Other challenges have been finding internet which seems very surprising to us since they are supposedly the country that we are worried about in surpassing us with technology.  Another challenge is regular electricity.  It is intermittent.  Many places have back up generators but they cannot always carry the load either.  Yesterday there was a 1.5 hr blackout from 12:00 - 1:30pm in Gandi.  Their were surgeries taking place at this time at their state run hospital.  The back up generator kicked in but ran out of fuel.  The surgeons were left in the dark not knowing if their patients were dead or alive.  ICU patients on ventilators had to have their families handle the manual resuscitator to help the patients breathe and other ICU patients had to fend for themselves. They state these blackouts are not uncommon.

Back up generator

We have experienced a lot of beauty also.  There is nothing like a beautiful sunset at the end of the day.

Passing by the mango groves is a welcoming site.  We have eaten mangos and have had a lot of Maaza, the mango drink.

We also are enjoying some great food from the roadside vendors.  One of our favorite breakfasts is the masala dosa.  It is a fried bread that has a potato mixture in it with masala seasoning.  You eat it with your hands, tearing it off and dipping it into the sauces.  Mmm goold!

Below is the grill that they cook it on.  As you can see it is well seasoned.

Now we are off to New Dehli where we will watch the Asian Iinternational Wrestling Tournament.  The e-newsletter will be coming out within the next few days so sign up if you haven't already.

Until then, Namaste (Good-bye in Hindi)

Days 30 to 34 of 100 days in India

This was taken as we were climbing the mountain.  We started at sea level.

We left the sunny beach in Goa and headed inland.  We knew we would start seeing hills but didn't realize we would be climbing over the Western Ghats.  We hit them in the heat of the day, 113 degrees and direct sun.  It was very tough as I (Jacky) was getting nauseous and dizzy.   My sherpas came to my rescue and helped lighten my load by each taking a panier so that we could make it to the top.  We were all beat!

Biking to Hampi.

It got easier from there.  We stayed on the plateau.  We reached Hampi which is known for its ruins that were built in the 14th century.  It was very impressive especially when considering the time period that it was built in. Below are pictures of the temples and their intricate stone carvings.

Elephant stables.

Temple entering Hampi.

Intricate stone carvings.

Some additional photos to go with previous blogs.

Enjoying some R & R on the beach.  Check out our biker tans.

This is the ammunition for "Holy".  Water and paint filled paintball guns and balloons.  Holy is the celebration of colors...of spring.

The locals celebrating "Holy".

Jeff and Ward were full participants in the "Holy" activities.

During "Holy" they have fires and people bring their offerings for the Gods.

Billboards can really tell a lot!  There is a big push for women's justice.

Cows are in the roads and...

even elephants.

They love their spices...

...and their chilis!

City of Bundi.  Palace is on the hillside.

The hotel in Bundi gave us a "safe journey" send off.

Now that's how you fill a jeep!

Its not uncommon to fit 4 on a motorcycle.

Day 15 to Day 29 of 100 days in India

We have surpassed the 2000 km mark for cycling.   21 days of riding and only one flat.  Udaipur to Panjim.

I would to thank Dave Galligan for sponsoring Day 19.   Just a quick note about this.   We had entered the state of Gujarat and and it is a dry state.   Prohibition does exist here.   As a tourist you can get a special permit to purchase beer and or hard liquor but on a very limited quantity.  The state has only 28 locations to purchase alcohol.  We were satisfied to not have our evening celebratory beer.   But in Surat we where next to the beer store and Jeff got the permit and we were able to have a couple to celebrate a long hard day in the saddle. 

Day 15 we were traveling through area with lots of green marble.  Along the roadside there was all of this marble polish strewn about.   We came to learn that the trucks are overloaded and if they need to make the legal weight limit they just throw the bags over the side.

Day 16 we had two mechanical problems.   Jacky had the first flat tire and Jeff's pedal broke.   The flat got fixed but the pedal had to be replaced.   It was not easy to find a bicycle store that could accommodate our pedal needs.   After 2 hours in a city of 500,000 we were able to find a pedal for Jeff.   We had just entered the state of Gurarat and things change quickly.    Now ketchup is everywhere. and prohibition exists.

Gujarat is a wealthier state and it very noticeable upon entering the state.   As our route took us to Surat we noticed more factories and that the crops have switched from wheat to now bananas, tobacco, sugar cane and vegetables.

Day 20 was very ruff for me.   I was suffering from heat exhaustion.    Vomiting, chills, and diareha and I flet like a truck hit me.   Rest day.  Day 21 was not much better, but we covered 42 km and it hit 113 degrees that day.

On day 22 we saw our glimpse of the Arabian Sea in Daman.   We touched the water but to dirty for swimming at least for our liking. 

March 27 was the day  called the festival of colors.   Happy Holi is what the locals call it.  It is celebrated by dousing each other with dry and wet water colors.   As we road along the route we were bombarded with water balloons and dry water color paint.   Jeff and I played along and just got destroyed by the colors.

colors for dousing

On day 24 we were coming into Bhiwandi and Jacky noticed all of the water tankers on the streets.   As we headed out for dinner the police made us return to our hotel because of the danger.   Earlier in the day there riots and now all of the stores were closed and the city was in lock down.   The tankers were for the police water cannons.   No food for us that night and only our 105 degree water.   Editorial comment.   We are hearing and seeing that the police do have a corrupt side to them and it is important to make your contact purposeful  and brief.

Day 25 we arrived in the outskirts of Mumbai.   Huge city and navigation is critical for safety.   At this time we are going to take a train to the State of Goa.   We going to beat the heat and see more of the country and the train will help us do that.   Also it was a goal of Jeff's to ride  on the Indian train system.

train station in Chembur

waiting for daylight to leave station

Easter Sunday is day 27 and we had planned to not ride but we took it very easy and stopped at the Basilica in North Goa and just meandered along the coast of Goa.  77 km later we found a beach hut and rested for the day.  The Arabian Sea is cleaner here and we are all swimming and enjoying the beach time.

Tomorrow we are off towards Hampi.

Day 10 to 14 of 100 Days in India

First of all Jeff, Jacky and I would like to thank  Brian Franzen and Betty and Darrel Branhagen for sponsoring a couple of the last few days.   We use the sponsorship usually to buy a nicer Indian dinner and a few beers.

Total kilometers to date is 983 in 10 days of riding.   We left Tonk and headed for Bundi.  Bundi is a tourist town and we could see that right away. There were many more hostel and guesthouse options and things were cheaper because of the competition to get tourists.   We found toilet paper and so we bought 10 rolls.
Just so everyone knows Jacky has something for animals.   She had a monkey jump on her chest.  She now has dogs barking her.  Camels talking to her and cows running into her.  I am not sure what it is, but it adds a new dimension to protecting her.

My comment about trash control has to be revised.  Jeff and I did find a dumpster.

Also in Bundi we took time to tour the palace and the lake area.    I did make contact with the Rotary Club of Bundi.  I exchanged club flags and we were showered in flowers.  I always like meeting with Rotarians  because they usually can tell me what all of the pictures mean.   I take a lot of photos and I can only conjecture to what I am really seeing. 

Bundi to Bhilwara was a very long day of 140 km.   We also got rained on.   We went through huge areas of mining.   It was primarily sandstone.  They use this for roofs, fences and walls all throughout the region.  We also met with the Rotary Club of Bhilwara.   Then we went from Bhilwara to Rajsamand.

Rajsamand to Udaipur was very hilly and beautiful.  We had many switch backs and some tremendous views.  At times it was hard climbing the steep grades with cows and goats crossing in front of you. 

Udaipur is a much wealthier area.  It is cleaner, has less traffic and  has nicer homes and businesses.  We even found a shopping mall just like the USA.   They had a Walmart!  Marlbe and more valuable stone is mined in the area.  We rode for over 6 miles and had constant marble wholesale establishments.   Even the hotels were nicer to accommodate the influx of foreign buyers.


Just a few photos that catch my interest.   Electrical systems and the combination of cows and cycles.

Thanks for following and encourage others as well.
Namaste

Day 5 - 9 of 100; Delhi to Rahajastan India

Day 5-9 of 100 (Agra to Tonk). KM to date: 571; Average mid day riding temp: 100 - 104 F.

(I apologize that the photo is not next to the paragraph describing it but right now I am just very happy to get this posted as we have been trying for 4 days.)


Before I forget, Marc Folkedahl sponsored our first beers at the O'Hare airport. $8.25/beer has been the most expensive so far but the easiest to get.

From Agra we headed southwest to Tonk, Rahajastan (current location). From here we will head to the coast, Porbandar on the Arabian Sea. After that we will see where the adventure takes us. The terrain is starting to change. It is getting more arid and mountainous. We are now seeing camels instead of oxen. Jacky and Jeff are now dodging not only scooters but also camels. The road quality has also deteriorated. Pot holes, washboards, dirt and sand are constants. Our average speed of 14-15mph drops to 6-10mph at times.

Malcolm Enterprises and Shimeks & Waste Management are badly needed here. In India the waste collection system is very poor, actually nonexistent. Even when asked for a trash can we were instructed to throw it on the ground.

Someone please tell Mike Haluska to put Freidhof back on full pay because he never stops teaching. Here he is teaching Indians about American multi-speed bicycles.

The trucks in India are overwhelming. The number of them on the road, their load size and how they are decorated is quite a sight. Its like a traveling circus. I don't think the Bruening Trucks will look like this anytime soon.

We have also found that the best food is at the truck stops. So, we pick a busy one to eat at. That way we know that the food is good and that there is turnover in food (less chance of us getting sick). You get a lot of great food at a reasonable price. This meal was 205 rupees. Notice Jeff and Jacky have lost their manners; sitting cross legged on the table and eating with their fingers.

Please, please someone email Freidhof and tell him that we don't have to work out all the time! Even when heading to the market we have to help push the vegetable cart loaded with potatoes, onions and garlic.

Jacky has taken the role as our linquistic expert (please, thankyou, food, sorry, good...and other key words that are used in our daily routine). I want to know what she said to the camel, because the camel is surely saying something back to her.

We were invited into a boys hostel and very amazed at the learning that was occurring. Their excitement was hard to control. We hope to visit more schools in the future.

Yesterday was our day off. Today we saddle up again. We will blog as often as we can. Internet access is not so easy to find.

Until next time...Namaste!

Ward and Jacky

Home Sweet Home

Here is our new home. The address is 109 N. Mill Street in Decorah, IA. We bought it over the internet so it was unseen until June 30th. It needs some TLC but will work for us. I mean, it has running water, a shower, refrigerator, stove and washer/dryer. What more can we ask for, especially since we have mainly been living in a tent for 3 years?

We didn't keep much in storage but our friends came through and our house is almost fully furnished. We're still lacking a bed and dressers so we are still sleeping on the floor and living out of bins but it will come around.

What are we doing now? We certainly haven't been bored. After going to see our families we have been very busy working on a forclosure house in Cedar Rapids (for pay). I have also been working on my resume and continuing education credits so I can re-instate my Iowa license and work again as a dietitian in Iowa. This week (7/25 - 7/31) is Ragbrai and Ward is providing sag service for a group. I will be joining them on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike again.

The end of the trip was a bitter sweet. We are both ready to get back to a more routine life and to know what is around the corner. However, it has been a dream for so long that it is sad to see it come to an end. Are there plans in the works? Of course. We will be writing a book after we review our 18,000 photos and numerous tablets of journals. We will also be traveling to India and Thailand in 2012.

We'll keep you informed of any new happenings. Until then, thanks to everyone that has been following us and supporting us through the trip. We couldn't have done it without you.