5:30 am onwards we could hear prayers from different Mandirs in the area. We got ready by 6:45 am and drove off to the main road where we could start our walk. We had breakfast – Poha, Jelebi and Tea and started walking. Stopped at a small Tea shop within 15 minutes after breakfast. We were walking through some wooded area and some open fields.
Around Noon we were invited by a young girl in Kanha Kirana store for Tea in Gorakhpur. She is in Tenth grade and wants to be a doctor. We took pictures and exchanged phone numbers. Baiju told her if she has any questions regarding education she can contact him. We walked for some more time and were stopped for another Tea. By 1:00 pm we finished 16.1 kms. and we’re ready for lunch. No place in sight so we got in the car to go further. Came to Bargi Dam on Narmada Maiya. Huge lake with no end in sight. Looks like an ocean. Drove more than 20 kms still no lunch place. Passed through Bargi town. There were many snack shops with Samosas, Aaloo Bonda and Jelebi but no lunch items. We got to the main highway that runs from Nepal Border to Kanyakumai. Shortly we saw a Shivani Dhaba. We had our lunch at
2:30 pm
. After lunch we started walking by the side of the highway. 15 minutes walk on the highway got us a Tea invite. We stopped for few minutes. Each Tea invite comes with line of curious questions. We enjoy telling everyone our story. After another twenty minutes walk we were invited to sagar Dhaba for another Tea. By this time it was my Tea time – 4:00 pm. We had finished our 20 kms. so we stopped. The owner told us about a Gurudwara where we could stay for the night. It was only 5 kms from his Dhaba. We finished the Tea and drove to Gurudwara, Gwarighat. We thought it would be great to stay at a Gurudwara. But it was not to be. They did not have any rooms. We continued our search for an ashram or hotel. By this time it was
6:30 pm
. We found an ashram but without bathroom facilities. We moved on and came to Narmada Vatika by Narmada Maiya. First Mr. Manish(manager) said they don’t have any rooms. Sow we went to coupe of other hotels in the area. All were booked due to a wedding. We called Narmada Vatika again. This time we were told we could have two rooms. We were happy to take those. But they did not have any dinner available. So we at Guru Dhaba near by and came back to Narmada Vatika. We were given a royal treatment. The owner is Dr. Phadnis from
Jabalpur across Narmada Maiya. His brother-in-law (Mr. Khandekar) stays at the resort in a separate house. We got discount on the room rate. We settled in took shower and washed clothes. When we asked for hangers to hang the clothes to dry, Mr. Manish sent a clothes rack. It worked out great. Dr. Phadnis Called us and we spoke for quiet some time. He told us to stay for couple of days if we want and to go sight seeing around the place and to enjoy the resort as long ad we like. We were told Tea will be available at 6:00 am. We went to sleep around 10:00 pm. Today we walked 22.5 kms.
