Current Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Humid, 30C.
Howdy followers!
Today is a day of firsts. The first time we've seen a foreign soul since last Monday and also the first time we've stayed more than one night in the same hotel. Whoppeeee! The huge crowds following us round and staring at the Tuk in rural villages has been replaced by annoying Touts - we're unsure of what we prefer! What is particular fun is when rickshaw drivers shout at us asking if we want a lift in their 'Tuk' to which we simply reply "My friend, we own a rickshaw" whilst pointing at Hank much to the shock of locals.
We're currently in Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in the world for Hindus. It is strung along the huge Ganges river and is full of life, death and everything in between (Many Hindus are cremated by the river here). Its nice just to have a days rest for both of us to be honest - the 13 hours driving a day does take its toll. This also means we can get some much needed washing of clothes in. You get grubby enough in India as it is, driving in an open vehicle makes it ten time worse!
The last few days have seen some more mechanical failings from poor old Hank who's really feeling the effects of the long days and rough Indian roads. We've now managed to get the photos of John's camera so can show you some of the earlier problems including a broken fuel tank and Hank on a bridge over the Ganges!
Having lifted Hank onto a pickup truck in Maholi (trust us it wasn't easy), we sent it into a proper Piaggio dealership where he got a big service, focussed predominately on the clutch and gear shifter. Thousdands of things were added in, oiled, removed or cleaned and we were hopeful that may have been all the problems out the way....little did we know. The next day saw another minor annoyance crop up - the engine casing rattling issue. We shoved a bit of chicken wire round it which seemed to solve the problem so we carried on. Then, 5 hours later (after a brief visit to a few temples on our route), disaster struck. PUNCTURE! Luckily we were close to a tyre man who, after a few brief hours, fixed it up and we were on our way. Early the next day (on our way to Varanasi) came another problem - the rattling engine casing had managed to cut through the fuel cable and began spraying diesel all over the engine. Fun times. After we quickly diagnosed the problem (pretty easy as there was a waterfall of diesel spraying all over the engine), we wrapped a bit of rag round it and drove it pronto to the nearest town. Luckily they had a new fuel injection tube and we were on our way after a few minutes!
In general, poor old Hank is taking a bit of a beating. Due to various difficulties (Loss of passport/Lack of Carnet/Lack of Piaggios in Bangladesh), we are planning to sell Hank in Calcutta. As you can see from the photo below, he's beginning to look a bit more decrepid. That hasnt stopped us from picking lifts up with the locals. We managed to fit in 5 customers the other day, much less than a local rickshaw would be able to cram in. Although we could pocket the 10 Rupee fare, we give them their journey for free to 'enhance Anglo-Indo relations'. Their smile makes it all worthwhile....ahhhh. Below is a photo of 'John the Rickshaw-Wallah', wearing the compulsory driving cap we were given by the Piaggio service centre.
The weather's been highly temperamental, given the monsoon. One minute, could be glorious sunshine hitting the mid 30s, the next pissing it down with rain. Below's a few picture of Fred battling it out with the monsoon along a country road!
Howdy followers!
Today is a day of firsts. The first time we've seen a foreign soul since last Monday and also the first time we've stayed more than one night in the same hotel. Whoppeeee! The huge crowds following us round and staring at the Tuk in rural villages has been replaced by annoying Touts - we're unsure of what we prefer! What is particular fun is when rickshaw drivers shout at us asking if we want a lift in their 'Tuk' to which we simply reply "My friend, we own a rickshaw" whilst pointing at Hank much to the shock of locals.
We're currently in Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in the world for Hindus. It is strung along the huge Ganges river and is full of life, death and everything in between (Many Hindus are cremated by the river here). Its nice just to have a days rest for both of us to be honest - the 13 hours driving a day does take its toll. This also means we can get some much needed washing of clothes in. You get grubby enough in India as it is, driving in an open vehicle makes it ten time worse!
The last few days have seen some more mechanical failings from poor old Hank who's really feeling the effects of the long days and rough Indian roads. We've now managed to get the photos of John's camera so can show you some of the earlier problems including a broken fuel tank and Hank on a bridge over the Ganges!
Fuel tank and diesel on the road
Having lifted Hank onto a pickup truck in Maholi (trust us it wasn't easy), we sent it into a proper Piaggio dealership where he got a big service, focussed predominately on the clutch and gear shifter. Thousdands of things were added in, oiled, removed or cleaned and we were hopeful that may have been all the problems out the way....little did we know. The next day saw another minor annoyance crop up - the engine casing rattling issue. We shoved a bit of chicken wire round it which seemed to solve the problem so we carried on. Then, 5 hours later (after a brief visit to a few temples on our route), disaster struck. PUNCTURE! Luckily we were close to a tyre man who, after a few brief hours, fixed it up and we were on our way. Early the next day (on our way to Varanasi) came another problem - the rattling engine casing had managed to cut through the fuel cable and began spraying diesel all over the engine. Fun times. After we quickly diagnosed the problem (pretty easy as there was a waterfall of diesel spraying all over the engine), we wrapped a bit of rag round it and drove it pronto to the nearest town. Luckily they had a new fuel injection tube and we were on our way after a few minutes!
Rammed onto a pick up truck
At the official Piaggio dealership
The crowd who formed in the time when the fuel injection tube was being reparied
In general, poor old Hank is taking a bit of a beating. Due to various difficulties (Loss of passport/Lack of Carnet/Lack of Piaggios in Bangladesh), we are planning to sell Hank in Calcutta. As you can see from the photo below, he's beginning to look a bit more decrepid. That hasnt stopped us from picking lifts up with the locals. We managed to fit in 5 customers the other day, much less than a local rickshaw would be able to cram in. Although we could pocket the 10 Rupee fare, we give them their journey for free to 'enhance Anglo-Indo relations'. Their smile makes it all worthwhile....ahhhh. Below is a photo of 'John the Rickshaw-Wallah', wearing the compulsory driving cap we were given by the Piaggio service centre.
The weather's been highly temperamental, given the monsoon. One minute, could be glorious sunshine hitting the mid 30s, the next pissing it down with rain. Below's a few picture of Fred battling it out with the monsoon along a country road!
We leave Varanasi early doors tomorrow morning for Bodhgaya, a town 250km East of here. Who only knows when we'll get there. Could be tomorrow evening, could be in a week.
Shall keep you posted!
Much love
Freddie and John x
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