BvHHS: MOTORCYCLE INDIA / GOA JOURNEY 2014 no.1

MC.India Journey 2014

Goa / Calangute / Belgaum / Badami / Hampi / Chritradurga / Belu / Gonikoppal / Mysore / Sultan Bathery / Chreuthuruthy / Thrissur / Pontanni / Mahe / Bekal / Sringeri / Kullor / Gokarna / Mandrem /

43 days / 3.255 km. / 17 driving days / 191 km. per. day

22 JAN. - 5 MARCH.

MOTORCYCLE REPORT B.v.H.H.S.

I have again chosen to brave the winter cold in Denmark and is taken on my fourth MC.India Journey. The trip will last six weeks, as it gives me plenty of time to adapt myself to the Indian spirit.

This time, my starting capital Panjim in Goa which is the smallest state in India. It had been a Portuguese colony for 451 years. They lost first the power as Nehru did the Indian Army invade in 1961. The Portuguese forced brutally Christianity. Today Christianity live in harmony with the original Hinduism. Goa has retained its Indo-European identity and developed his own unique hybrid culture.

This time I'm going to explore southern India. At this time of year it is not unbearably hot and it rains less. At the same time it suited me just fine since I do not have any direct projects over the next few months that can capture my soul.

Fly / Copenhagen / Paris / Mumbai / Goa

8 am. Indian time I stand on the edge of the Indian Ocean waters and focus on the horizon line that separates the sky and sea. I enjoy the sights and sounds of the waves foaming crashing over the beach. When I look beyond the broad endless beach, I see a large group of people close to the water's edge perform a variety of hatha yoga in front of a black old schooner drawn up on the shore. They stand very long in a side bending. They change suddenly and completely simultaneously to the other side, so it gives a jolt to me. - It is probably because I'm only halfway is present in the moment.

I left my Atelierstudio 5 am. Now, 23 hours later without sleep & two landings in Paris & Bombay, I find myself here in Mandrem, ' Dolphie Beach Resort' where I have rented a small wooden house near the beach and approx. 30 km. from Panjim .

After a few hours of sleep, I took a long swim. It requires power when the waves crashing over one and the swell, the undercurrent energies, make it hard to fight ones way into the shore again . The water has a nice temperature and is very salt.

This evening I sit on a roof restaurant Oasis, which is associated with my simple room with a small terrace with views to the other 7-8 terraces. I look out over the water and the wide beach where some still bathe and other seen as silhouettes against the waves foam highlights the back of the water's edge . The sun still shines a little bit, but otherwise it has remained a bit of hidden most of the day . The sun is probably completely gone 6:30 pm.

By nightfall comes on the green and blue chains of diodeslanger winds and meanders along the terraces and viewed through the window as the lights stinging eyes from another culture. And yet my own, I remember when I was a child in a both sailed through the mysterious cave filled with fairy lights in Tivoli.

Royal Enfield Bullet 500 cc

After my positive experience with Royal Enfield from my last MC.journey along the Ganges , I again decided to run on the Indians' pride Royal Enfield 500 cc .

After swimming and lunch, I contacted a young guy with name Villach, I had been recommended to contact. He rents out MC. at another resort 'Dune Holliday' quite close to my own. He had no immediate Enfield 500cc. is new enough that he dared to send it out on a long journey . He would make an attempt to get me one. He appeared on the following day with a brand new Royal Enfield, but it was only a 350cc . I tried to make clear to him that I would have a 500cc. and that it had not to be brand new. I have learned that you very easily can fall in some loose sand. On a brand new model you will see every little scratch. The next day he showed up anyway with a brand new 500cc. I had to refuse.

The next day he showed up with his cousin, who were willing to hire its smart turquoise Royal Enfield with only a saddle for me. He insisted, however much more money for rent than I should give the brand new Enfield, I had been offered. On my own resort restaurant Oasis, the one there drives the place also had contact with a landlord. The landlord called Romeo and is her brother. He showed up with a cousin MC. It was 2 years old and had only driven small 12.000 km. There is already many sites attacked by rust in part, because of the salts sea mist from the Indian Ocean.

I got it for approx. 15 $ per day. Half the price I would have to pay the rent with the major authorized MC. in Panjim. However, I have assured myself as best I could and got all the papers I think I do, if anything happens. Insurance documents, registration paper, pollution certificate and a piece of paper that I as a good friend borrowed his motorbike. It is forbidden to rent a motorbike in Goa and then drive it out of the states borders. In Delhi I got from the authorized dealer also a private letter and as well as a rental letter. Private letter should I show the police if they stopped me .

When you enter into this form of private trade, is a small deposit not enough, I understand. They demand your passport as a deposit so they are sure that you come back with MC. Or you may put the entire price of the MC. in deposit and the payment of rent during the period. Romeo has 10 years ago visited Denmark, so he trusts us Dane. I fought for to keep my passport, should something happen . He agreed that I put $ 600 I had to deposit in trust to me. He took care to procure a used old luggage rack for Enfield, it got fitted with a help from a blacksmith to this new model.

Culturally body shock

It took me a few days to get over the long journey. It seems that I'm not as agile as I thought. The heat in the night as one's body and mind just need to adjust to. Alternately sweating and freezing. The tiny mosquitoes that gently tickle and sticks keeps you half awake when their wings fluctuations emits propeller sounds out of one's hearing snail. Vibrations are transmitted completely into one's skull and puts your instinct on high alert and get one's hands with reflex to smack against your ear.

The heat and the mosquitoes sparked my sensitive skin that 's when I woke up almost every hour. My skin was screaming to be scratched, always new places. I struggle in my sleep to fight against scratching, as irritation of the skin just is amplified. Instead of playing the location profile signaled attention I gave the point once concrete massage. My mind has been on the high-pressure part of the night, to check my body. As a child I suffered a lot of eczema. Only when I consciously in halfsleep could said to myself 'you do't scratch' 'you do't scratch'. Only then I got rid of eczema. During the day you can better control the itching, but in sleep it is almost impossible .

So now I have to get back into balance in my body and soul. This time I'm fortunate enough in a more relaxed not so stressful part of India. I have chosen these holiday area, which in no way can be compared to a big city like Delhi where all your senses will be totally bombarded constantly.

The taxi driver who picked me up at the airport was running at a steady pace for 'Dolphie Beach Resort'. When there was unevenness lowered his the move. In the same way it was everywhere in this quiet holiday destination, so in that way it was easier for me to prepare myself.

Slow habituation

The first few days I did not feel fo want to capture visual impression with my camera, I was not here to take photos of the Indian wellness tourism culture. I know from experience that it takes 4-5 days to get everything clear with the hire of MC. I might as well enjoy the environment here by the sea and the wide open spaces .

Like the other times in Delhi, I find it hard to completely relax and go out and see some sights before I have full control over my motorbike situation. Only then I can start my MC.journey. When I come back to the starting point in this case Panjim, I might have the energy to see what should be seen in Panjim .
The 5 days I found myself in Mandrem I enjoyed every day a few swims, but actually I was only once laying in the sun for 5 min. on the shore. I felt no urge to lie directly in the baking sun. I enjoyed one AyurvedaMasage. It was OK, but not as in depth .

Maybe I will take a little revenge when I return. I have intend to follow the shoreline back to Goa.

I 've got my Indian tel 8390119035 and a USB port so I can go direct Internet which failed for me last time.

D.28.1. Mandrem - Belgaum 158 km.

I have to get used to getting up 7:00 am. to start my journey while the sun is still a little human. It's hard to change sleep patterns when you usually go to bed late. I did however take place at 9:00 am. I was curious how I would handle it with all my leathers and protective clothing in 32 degree heat cecius. But when the heat is dry, it was certainly no problem for me. But to come right out of a city can be a problem. This time I did not take some alternative minor roads into the landscape. First of all, I will again be familiar with sitting for a long time on this almost new, only 2 years old Royal Enfield . It drive well and I feel I am again back in the driving rhythm. Half of the line to Belgaum was incredible hole giving some proper boom up and down. Therefore, I am forced to hold some rest for not to be completely dead in the ass. It is also hard against your legs and especially the knees are slow to get use for this excited state, as well the back muscles. Perhaps I should have taken my width elastic kidney belt along for the ride, it will help to relieve the spine and lower back muscles. My helmet is completely tight into my head, to protect as much as possible. My head does not have enough room in the helmet due to heat and stress, but crying out for a break and freedom.

I have chosen to run only 158 km. not to stress my physique and psyche more than necessary. For each year I am the somewhat older, perhaps wiser but no more embattled. It was nice to drive in a light wind which obviously helped to keep the temperature down when you move in a little speed.

There were amazingly few private cars and trucks on the road , probably because it's a little poorer rural area with little industry. It was a totally different relaxed and less dangerous traffic than I have experienced from my previous MC.Journey in North India. Nice relaxing .

The next day I drove on towards the temples at Badami, where I have arranged to meet with the Danish photographer Torben Huss, who was heading north, back to Delhi by bus and train .

I feel that I am a little back on The Road. Excited at what new experiences that will come out of this journey .