Anmod

✓ After my second day of this trip I wonder how far I will get. I am not at the point of being a forever” cycle tourist, home being in constant motion, and the starting out on this incredibly long journey is tough.
✓ The last 2 days were challenging.
✓ I left home at about 6:45a.m. and after breakfast at Mollem started the climb of Anmod ghat. It was no problem, but hard, a big contribution to the 1500m. altitude gain, according to Strava. I was so happy that the Anmod-Khanapur forest road toward Balgavi, has been repaired and I arrived in Khanapur early but exhausted. Refused at one lodge but accepted at second (1500rs.).
✓ I wasn’t too happy that, it being Holi, there was no alcohol whatsoever. I could hardly believe that having dodged a few Holi marauders on Monday, I came across serious gangs of guys full of masti today (Tuesday), and the booze shops closed here today, but available at 150rs. (black market.
✓ I am not unfriendly, but neither am I fond of the rowdiness of Holi and I sped through the gangs of rowdies with single minded purpose.
✓ Thanks I stopped at the first lodge I saw in Nargund and for 900 r/s. was accepted. The very nice (maybe gay?) receptionist doesn’t speak English and almost no Hindi. He did tell me that he didn’t have a.c. rooms, but after last night it didn’t seem to matter. Here though, with a very different climate from Gaa it is hot! I wish I had an a.c. room……tomorrow.

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