I had the black plastic bag of bananas in my hand as I was loading the car and the next moment a monkey had them. I wasn't prepared to argue with him so just watched as he took them out one by one, peeled them and enjoyed them, keeping one eye on me all of the time.
So no bananas for us! There are lots of little fruit stalls long the road so we stopped and bought what for me was an enormous papaya, but by Indian standards was actually quite small. We also got a couple of mangoes but obviously I didn't learn enough from my mango eating lesson because I think I've ruined a t-shirt.
The road to Surat took us back over the Western Ghats... That was the road that terrified me with the double line of big trucks going uphill on the way to Ellora. I must admit that going down wasn't quite so bad because there was so much less traffic on the road today... Still quite a few trucks though.
Once again it was an interesting drive. I've realised that there's another good reason for an early start and that's because we travel through the villages at a time when there's lots of activity. Today was naked kid day I think!
The view varied from beautiful bougainvillea to tent villages and lots in between.
Tarun is very kind to me and often gives me little treats... Today's treat was another shortcut or off road adventure.
These treats take me to places where probably no white woman has ever been before... or probably doesn't want to go!!!
But I did tell him I wanted to see the 'real India ' and he's doing his very best to oblige as usual. Actually I think that as well as white women never venturing into these roads, I don't think cars have either. We do pass the odd ox cart and motorbike but never another car! The village people and farmers look at us with bewildered looks as we drive through and I'm not sure if it's because of me or the car or both. I can't imagine what they are thinking... At least it'll give them something to talk about at their next dinner party!
Unfortunately you never know what you are going to strike on these roads, could be mud, a very narrow part, pothole or most often, rocks. Today it was rocks!
When we got back on a better road Tarun noticed a noise coming from the car so got out to investigate. Seems there was an oil leak from the gearbox.
So off we went again looking for the next garage on our tour of 'Garages of India.'
It wasn't too far to the Hyundai Dealership in some unknown city where they confirmed there was a hole in the gearbox. Tarun and I sat in the waiting room eating our papaya while they sorted it out. The man in the garage came in and tried to find an English speaking TV channel for me but soon gave up and left me with the kids channel!
On our way again, keeping to the main roads this time. We were pretty hungry by this time but were both feeling we'd been eating too much heavy food so lunch was cashew nuts and bananas, followed by chai at a roadside stall.
There was some interesting country on the way. We are at the northern point of the Western Ghats and there were some very weird looking mountains in the distance. The photos don't do them justice and it's hard to see the details of their strange shapes but I can assure you that they were worth a photo stop for their oddness.
Today we saw many groups making religious walks to the temple. They usually carry flags but today's were also accompanied by drummers.
I can't believe how far they walk, especially as it's so hot. The footwear is pretty basic too. I admire their devotion.
We are staying the night in Surat which is the commercial hub of Gujarat. It may be the biggest city we have been in so far. It's very modern compared to most of the places we've been in so far.
It's just an overnight stay before we head north again tomorrow.
Becoming very aware that time is running out and I'm not feeling quite ready to go home yet. Hopefully after another week I might feel differently and then I can happily go home and plan 'Trip to India No 4.'
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