Vanlife stories of Mahesh Karadia, resident of Navsari, Gujarat

Mahesh Karadia,  who has settled in Navsari, Gujarat started camping and caravaning while still abroad in 1979. His first camper was a Commer 4 berth with an elevating roof in early 80's. Then he acquired a 4 berth VW camper in late 80's. Along with his wife he travelled extensively in Europe and have amazing memories. Now in 2021, he has a Swift Kontiki 6 berth. In 2016 his brother drove this from London to Mumbai. He joined them in Vizag and drove South to Kerala, Goa, Kanyakumari and then to Mumbai and to Navsari, Gujarat. Couple of years back they travelled to Lourdes in France and Spain. 

He is almost 68 years old now. There is nothing that can beat this experience of his. 
He says, 'if you love, go for it'.  
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Galgibaga Beach, Goa - Must Visit

Galgibaga Beach/ Galgibagh Beach, possibly the cleanest beach in Goa is located in the quiet taluka of Quepem in Canacona region of South Goa and 7 kms from Palolem Beach. 

Swimming is allowed and there are life savers who patrol the beach. 

There are only a couple nice eating shacks which offer lip smacking food. 

It's a Must Visit beach in Goa. 

Galgibaga Beach is fairly simple to find on Google maps. There's no parking next to the beach. One has to walk a bit to reach the beach. 

The beach is one of the three places in Goa that form the nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtles, a protected species. The northern portion of this beach is protected it being the turtles nesting ground and that gives the beach its nickname, Turtle Beach. 

Roadies must visit Raj Baga beach on the way back from Galgibaga Beach.
Raj Baga beach is just besides Hotel Lalit and has literally no tourists there. It’s almost like you have the whole beach to yourself.
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* Goa Trails 
* Only While Travelling By Road In India 

Happy 33rd Marriage Anniversary to my wife, my co-roadie

Happy 33rd Marriage Anniversary to my dear wifey who's a fabulous co-passenger roadie. 

I rarely stop too often for breakfast, lunch and tea. It's you who keeps pushing me to drive on and skip the lunch, so that I don't feel drowsy after food. 

You keep yourself wide awake and frequently scan the rear view mirror from the back seat to check for any signs of fatigue in my eyes or face. You have done innumerable long drives with me where on most days the drive lasts for 12 - 17 hrs! 

It's unbelievable that for 33 years since 1988-06-27 and right upto this day, viz. 2021-06-27, I tolerated you and you too tolerated me. And all that because of the unspoken doses of mutual love and respect for each other. 

Take care. 
Stay safe.

Kolkata - Ladakh - Kolkata drive itinerary of Dipanshu Roy in Hyundai i20 in June 2016

Kolkata - Ladakh - Kolkata  drive itinerary of Dipanshu Roy and family in Hyundai i20 in June 2016. 

Day 1 Kolkata - Fatehpur, UP  948 kms 

Day 2 Fatehpur, UP - Karnal, HR 700 kms 

Day 3 Karnal, HR - Kud, JK 527 kms 

Day 4 Kud, J&K - Srinagar, JK 200 kms 

Day 5 Srinagar, JK 

Day 6 Srinagar, JK - Kargil 210 kms 

Day7 Kargil - Leh 220 kms 

Day 8 Leh 

Day 9 Leh - Khardungla - Nubra 160 kms 

Day 10 Nubra - Pangong - Leh 400 kms 

Day 11 Leh - Manali 450 kms 

Day 12 Manali 

Day 13 Manali - Agra 800 kms 

Day 14 Agra - Aurangabad, BR 

Day 15 Aurangabad, BR - Kolkata 

Some Indian states don't require RT-PCR tests for travel if partially or fully vaccinated as in end June 2021

As COVID cases are declining, several Indian states are also easing travel restrictions as in end June 2021. While some states are not asking for RT-PCR tests anymore, several others are letting travellers enter, provided they are able to show proof of vaccination. However, these rules are also not permanent, and might change with time. So, before embarking on your journey, make sure that you check with all the official channels to ensure that you travel at ease.
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Indian states that are allowing people to enter from other states without the RT-PCR test:
Delhi
Himachal Pradesh
Telangana
Haryana
Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Do note that no RT-PCR test report or vaccine certificate is required to enter Tamil Nadu; however, if you are flying to Coimbatore from outside the state, certain airlines might advise you to carry a negative RT-PCR test that is not older than 72 hours before their departure.
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States that will allow one without RT-PCR test, if they have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine:
Punjab
Chandigarh
Travelling to both the regions will need you to carry a COVID vaccination certificate, even if you have received just one dose. Else, you will be required to carry a negative RT-PCR test that was taken no less than 72 hours prior to their departure.
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No RT-PCR test is required to enter these states, if you have taken both the jabs of COVID vaccine:
Odisha: You will need to show your final vaccination certificate to enter. If you don’t have the certificate, you will need a negative RT-PCR or antigen test report that has been taken not earlier than 48 hours prior to their departure.
Rajasthan: Those with a final COVID vaccination certificate, and have completed 28 days after taking their second jab, will not require a negative RT-PCR test to enter.
Chhattisgarh: You will either have to show a final vaccination certificate or a negative RT-PCR test taken no earlier than 96 hours before departure to enter this region.
Nagaland: All you need to visit Nagaland is to either have a final vaccination certificate or a negative RT-PCR test that has been taken no earlier than 72 hours before departure.
Meghalaya: All those arriving from any state except Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal shall be exempt from showing COVID test reports if they are able to show their final COVID vaccination certificate.
Source: Toi epaper dated 2021-06-25
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* Travel Restrictions Covid 2nd Wave

During the worst days of 2nd wave of Corona in April - May 2021 in New Delhi/ Gurgaon, our fellow roadie Rahul Krishna had been silently busy with corona relief work. 

He had converted his Isuzu truck into a mobile oxygen station. 

He deserves all our good wishes and congratulations 👍 

Please join me in wishing him with words of encouragement for the commendable task he had been doing. 

He is truly an IndianRoadieGoodSamaritan.

BMW with 4 youths from Delhi toppled down cliff in Lahaul Spiti on 2021-06-22

A BMW car (HR-13Q-0006) fell nearly 70 ft into the Gyundi nullah (gorge) of Spiti sub-division in pitch darkness at around 8.00 pm on Tuesday, 2021-06-22. There were 4 youths in the age group of 22 - 25 yrs and residents of Delhi and a neighbouring village in Haryana in the car. 

The youths were driving to Kaza via the Gramphoo - Kaza highway. 
Local villagers informed Kaza police who along with locals got into the rescue job. 
Mohit Yadav (25) died on the spot. Three of his friends in the car were seriously injured. The injured were referred to government hospital in Rampur in Shimla district. 
The cause of the accident is not yet known.  
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* Build Quality Of Drivers Brain Matters 
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Started my VW Vento and kept engine idling for 15 minutes on 2021-06-23

The 2nd wave of Covid-19 has not yet gone. Some people have already started going out on long drives. 

However, I am of the belief that it's better to remain safe than repent later. 
Therefore, remained content starting my VW Vento and keeping the engine idling for exactly 15 minutes within the covered garage on Wednesday, 2021-06-23 from 2.30 pm to 2.45 pm. 
Anyone in India in Indian Roadie in the same page as me? 
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* Indian Roadie Healthcare Tips 
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MH and Mumbai sees surge in Covid cases on 2021-06-23

Mumbaikars, Maharashtra residents and Indians in general, why can't you exercise restraint and be more responsible. The sky is not going to fall on your head if you don't start going out of your house for drives/ rides! 

At this rate Corona will never get off our shoulders even in the next 7 - 10 years.
The WHO specialist (and his tribe) who gave me gyan following my post on Indian Roadie on 2021-06-23 asking me to go out for drives in own car, are the ones who are individually responsibile for Covid-19 to keep lingering in India 😡
Keep following all the trash on The Wire and keep wishing all the worse for India and Modiji, but for God's sake keep your obnoxious derriere glued to your home!
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* Indian Roadie Healthcare Tips

Lady oil tanker driver in Kerala

This young lady has been driving an Ashok Leyland fuel tanker for 3 years ferrying petrol and diesel from Kochi to Malappuram in Kerala and back. 

She deserves all our respect. 
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* Indian Roadie Woman 
* Indian Roadie Women 
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Must visit - Candolim Beach, Goa

The scenic beauty and food of Goa are inseparable. 

The morning and evening views from shacks in Candolim Beach and the solid chunks of pork prepared in tangy gravy plus the sea food platter which most of the famous shacks offer are every fun loving foodies delight. 

I am craving to smell the fresh sea breeze of Goa. 

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* Must Visit 

* Goa trails 

* FoodieRoadieIndia 

* Foodie Roadie 

* Road trip to Goa 

Must Visit - Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

Valley of Flowers National Park is located in North Chamoli and Pithoragarh, in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. It's also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep. Birds found in the park include Himalayan monalpheasant and other high altitude birds. At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km² and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. The park lies completely in the temperate alpine zone. Both parks are encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km²). Nanda Devi National Park Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. 

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* Must Visit 

* Uttarakhand Trails