u/MadrasThorn

Wonderful sunset today indeed!!

Printed photos of my All India trip on my ambassador car. Already sent two out to post crossing. :)

Geologist here. I collect crystals and fossils from around the world. Anyone here collect or interested in crystals?

I’m holding a Vanadinite from Morocco.

Recently posted about my Kanyakumari to Kashmir trip in my Amby.

You can read it here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SoloTravel\_India/s/16Uin3raAI

Two people suggested postcards so got it printed out yesterday. Would love to send a postcard to fellow travellers who are interested. Already sent like four of them. :)

Brownie points: Share one travel story of yours. I would love to hear it. It can be anything small or big but memories of the travel that you hold close and cherish it.

I have been writing letters since college. Family and friends. Recently started finding Penpals around India and has been fun.

Recalling my solo trip from Kanyakumari to Kashmir

Looking back now this trip has been so much needed for me to think a lot about myself. This trip was never to visit touristy places but to enjoy and just travel. I started with my hometown Salem and went down to Kanyakumari to start the trip on my birthday. There was no route plan mostly I decided on the next destination the previous night.

A rough route I took:

Salem - Kanyakumari - Salem - Bangalore - Hubbali - Pune - Mumbai - Dhule - Indore - Bundi - Jaipur - Ambala - Jammu - Srinagar - Sonmarg - kargil - Leh - Hanle - Upshi - Mandi - Ambala - Jaipur - Indore - Solapur - Salem

Total Expenses - Under 2L

Accommodation: Zostel, Any Dorms and Rooms with good rating on google maps.

I purchased the Ambassador and got it ready. I closely worked with mechanics, electrician, painter, etc... for 3 months which also helped me to learn a lot about a car. Only a month ago before the trip I started learning to drive a car properly and got my drivers license.

Everyone should do one All India Ride in their 20's or before getting married. It can fire up new neurons to think differently, break some patterns and assumptions which we already have. India is vast and beautiful. Travel can test your patience and will power against all odds.

My Amby had a engine problem once I started climbing the mountains from Jammu. I didn't know much so I called the mechanic in my hometown and he said come back. This point in my life was where I didn't know what I wanted to do. I travelled all the way from the southern tip and the mechanic with whom I trusted told me to back down. Kind of like anxiety was peak. Literally I was like sweating a bit. I cooled down and calmed myself and proceeded further. Worked with mechanics in Sonmarg and Leh. I had to fly in parts from Delhi as the parts of ambassador was not there in Leh and still we couldn't find the problem but I found one temporary solution to suck out the diesel through my mouth for every 50-70 km. Which is what I did whenever the car stopped. The problem vanished once I came back down after Manali and finally solved the underlying issue of rust once I got back home.

This trip made me realise that I don't give up easily and push through the find the solution and make things work. Doing it solo was much more so much hard. Even though I say it was hard the journey was totally worth it and it was my highlight of my life. I loved every bit of it.

>A quote from the movie God Almighty where Morgan freeman says

If someone prays for courage, does God give them courage… or does He give them opportunities to be courageous?

I got to meet a lot of new people who were warm and helpful. Got chances to taste cuisine from different states. 10/10 was my solo travel experience. What more can I ask for?

Happy Travelling!

Bought an Ambassador car and travelled from Kanyakumari to Kashmir for 45 days. One of the highlights of my life. Different cultures, foods, etc... Every bit of the travel was satisfying.