Route: Goa – Mumbai – Ahmedabad

Kilometers covered till now: 4130

Kilometers left: approx. 1000-1500

States covered:13

Time elapsed: approx. 10 weeks

Time left: approx. 4-6 weeks

Dear friends!

The Incredible Journey Of A Little Boy From Holland has passed its biggest part. The end seems to come closer and closer, although experiences still blossom and everyday seems to be a unique one. The time covered till now, has made place for a panorama of different experiences, whether I had to enjoy or endure it.

Let's begin with Goa, beginning of January, which was a relaxing experience (although it's a place with almost more tourists than locals...).  And believe it, Goa isn't just about chilling on the beach under palm trees. At least not for me. I've enjoyed this beautiful piece of land, especcially by bicycle, through green tropical forests, centuries-old cathedrals and ruined cities, abandoned forts standing on steep cliffs, and much more. The last day I had the luck to meet another Koga-Miyata World Traveller, including the very owner of this vehicycle! We had some nice talks and he told me about all the hotspots on the road to Mumbai, a stunning hilly landscape, sometimes without any form of civilisation. Thus I begun on a challenging route of about 750 km to Mumbai. It had been my choice to take only small, rural roads through the hills, which seemed to be a hard work under a 35 degrees sun, with steep paths, sometimes only existing of big rocks. But the landscape was stunning, and all kinds of colourful birds and butterflies accompanied me on my trip. I had the luck to come everyday in a small village/ town where there often was a hotel, although it was sometimes something I'd rather give to the animals (very basic, and dirty...).

One day I had travelled for about 20 km on a single way up and down a hilltop, when I suddenly had to stop my cycle. Before me there was a gap of about 100x100x100 m in the road, under me a deep canyon. Without any warning... It was caused by the monsoon floods already some months ago, so there was made a small 'path' through the gap leading to the other side, but it seemed unrealistic to carry my bicycle through it. So I had to make all the 20 km back up the hill before I could take a shortcut to the next village... The 14th. january I arrived in Mumbai by ferry and entered this incredible metropole along the famous Gateway of India, the same way King George V did 2 centuries ago.In my imaginations Mumbai would be a kind of hell: terribly polluted, dirty, chaotic and with endless slums. But in this part of the city (Colaba/ Fort) the opposite seemed to be truth. It's a very relaxing, good maintained part of the city with impressive colonial architecture. I spent in total 1 week in this interesting city which has so much to offer. Whether it is a good museum, the endless bazaars to lose yourself in, or the charme of wandering at Chowpatty  Beach during sunset, watching kite and cricket matches and eating the famous Bombay 'bhelpuri'. And of course I couldn't have missed the impressive Elephanta  Island, which houses some exceptional big sculptures, among them a rare Trimurti.Here I also met a couple of friendly Dutchies, which I spent some time with.

But the real Mumbai experience would not be complete without plunging into the Bollywood scene and experiencing the glamour and glitz of the Indian film industry nearby! Thus I had the 'luck' of being asked on the street to act as a figurant on the next day's shooting. I had no idea what I could expect of this, since people have reported different experiences. But although it was more like staying a whole day and dancing sometimes on the dance floor of an ultrachique and trendy nightclub, the scene for a straightforward B-film, it was an interesting experience after all. So, look out for the Bollywood film *'Only for you'* when it's being published in about  6 months! However, this world of arrogant superstars and glamour is quite interesting, how far they also seem to be separated from the real world of slums and poverty...

After a week full of new experiences my cycle was calling for me... So on 20 january I started early in the morning, to avoid the traffic crowd. It took at least 3 hours and 60 km to come out of this monster city, with endless slums, white tower estates and huge glitzy shopping malls. The extremes of India only seem to get bigger. And at the end of the day you can imagine how my face looked: dark black...

After 6 days I have arrived in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, having covered 4130 km till now. Although polluted and chaotic, it's an interesting city with nice mosques and temples and some striking LeCorbusier buildings (standing in high contrast with the old architecture). Beside that, it houses the Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi lived for 15 years. A very peaceful place, where you literally can feel the 'Mahatma' (Great Soul) living still here. And I had the luck to meet a local, which boasts a place in the Guinness World Book of Records for recognizing someones blood group, just by looking into its face. Incredible! Again a very interesting meeting, having deep-going discussions about the Indian culture, identity and globalisation.

 
Since everything is going so incredibly relaxed, I've got oceans of time. My planned arrival in Delhi in March, is just about 1000 km from here... I'm looking forward to getting some more helpful in the Social Centre in Varanasi, after my cycle tour. But before that, a paradise called *Rajasthan *, is awaiting me... Probably going to be the most beautiful part of my journey!  All the best! Reactions are welcome; just put them on my website in the 'Letters' section.

With kinds regards, Christopher Baan

www.christopherbaan.nl