Travel With a Couple

This is not an automobile review blog. And we are not automobile experts to review a car. As travel lovers, the recent drive on Grande MK II came as a pleasant surprise. It’s a pleasant surprise because whenever we book a  vehicle for travel, we make our non-preference of Sumo clear to the travel agent.

First thing that strikes us about the new Grande MK II is its majestic size. Park it near an Innova and see what we mean by majestic. Ok! Comparison with Innova might have a few eyebrows raising. All we want to convey is an image of standing with its head proudly held up high.

Maybe, the size is deceptive. We have been driving the small Tata Indica for long and were apprehensive about handling the big brother. Grande is as easy to drive in the city as it is on the highway. We drive through the chaotic by-lanes of Mumbai for an hour or so before hitting the highway. Nimble, agile, and easily maneuverable on city roads, Grande is perfectly stable on the highway and the ghats. Even at 120–130 kmph, handling is smooth and easy.

The powerful AC and the spaciousness—both have become characteristics of Tata vehicles. A six-footer, I found myself comfortably seated on the third row. The claim of ‘best in class third-row seating’ is absolutely valid. Fold the third-row seat, and there is enough space to dump everything required for a week or more of camping outside. Maybe, even a bicycle. We dump a few potted plants and some garden furniture. Voila! It’s as good as a balcony (by Mumbai standards).

Being quintessential travellers, we use various modes of transport. On long weekends, we travel in the range of 300–500 km from Mumbai and with a group of friends. Many a time, our non-touristy destinations are accessible only by unpaved, rugged roads. Grande MK II now seems to be the perfect fit for such travels as we don’t have to compromise on luxury during the drive or the uniqueness of our destinations.

As the advertisement claims, it is ‘More than meets the eye’ indeed.

Tadoba has a rich bird life with over 160 varities either  residing or visiting seasonally. The main lake in the middle and couple of other lakes mean that there are a fair amount of water birds as well – Cormorants, herons, ibis, storks, varieties of ducks, bar-headed goose, buzzards, eagles, quails, purple swamphens, bronze winged jacana, lapwigs, common redshank, common and wood sandpipers and many more…

A little cormorant by the side of the Tadoba lake (above)

The red-wattled lapwig (above)

Black Ibis (above)

Green bee eater (above)

We watched these three rose ringed parakeets (above) playing hide and seek. It appeared as if the two outside was feeding the one inside.

Yellow footed green pegion (above)

The bar-headed goose (above) is one of the world’s highest flying birds, flying over 30,000 feet. It migrates to India to spend the winter.

We spotted a good number of birds, and Shravan our guide being a bird enthusiast helped us.

Atul Dhamankar, a wild life enthusiast and avid bird watcher who is based out of Chandrapur has published a very informative book on the birds and mammals of Tadoba. We picked a copy of it from the guide and came handy while identifying birds.

On our second safari at Tadoba, a few kilometers inside from the starting point, this  board welcomed us.  As if to temper our expectations. This was at the border of Tadoba range and Moharli range where there is a small settlement.  Soon after this however we did spot a tiger.