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Number of days : 4 (17^th to 20^th November 2006)
The Machine : Alfa Romeo 159
Distance Traveled : 2700KMS
Max Speed : 220 Kmph
Route :

Onward Journey: Stuttgart -> Switzerland -> Milano -> Rome
Return Journey: Rome -> Pisa -> Milano -> Switzerland -> Stuttgart

Team : Ajay Shetty, Chidananda Nagaraj, Jaffar Mohammed Shiraj, Mahesh Nagaraja and Vikram Chadaga

Click here to view all photos .

Five of us had decided to go to Rome by car. I was the only driver with a valid driver’s license. Our initial plan was to cover Naples, Rome, Pisa, may be Venice. With only 4 days in hand I think this was being too optimistic. I hadn’t driven a car since I had come to Germany and I was waiting to drive a car, should I also add the “Autobahn’s” of Germany was another factor!

Day 1: 17^th November 2006

We had booked a compact car from Sixt car rentals, and a compact car included something like a Mercedes A-class or a VW Golf. 5 people in this compact car would have been a little to tough. We decided to upgrade the car the next segment. To our luck we got a free upgrade to an Alfa Romeo 159, it’s a diesel car and I think it has all the features one can think about, Navigation, Parking assist, Cruise control, 6 gears, almost everything! I was surprised it didn’t come with an auto pilot

We guys were totally thrilled with the car! So “She” was my babe for the next 4 days!

We guys got into the car, trying to figure out how to change the navigation system from German to English. Somehow we were not too lucky with the navigation system, as it was not updated with the latest road constructions. We were in Stuttgart for more than 2 hours trying to figure out where the Autobahn starts!

I didn’t care about anything; it was me, my babe and the road!

Driving on German Autobahns with a 260Bhp machine! Oh boy! For the first time in my life I hit the speed of 220 Kmph and the car was still stable. I stuck onto the fastest lane and hit the gas peddle! Everyone in front of me gave me the way! I was feeling more and more powerful with the “Alfa Romeo”! Most of them drive at 130Kmph except for the Ferrari’s and some high end Audi’s! It is an understanding on the Autobahns that if you see a Ferrari, BMW or an Audi you give way!

When we got out of Germany we enter Switzerland. There are a lot of speed limits and I was back driving decently. It was my first time in Switzerland and it is so beautiful to drive there. With huge snow covered mountains on either side of the road.

We stopped at Brunnen for some time and clicked a lot of photographs. Mahesh and I had half a mind to stay back in Switzerland and forget about Rome.

I think Switzerland has the most number of tunnels, may be the world’s longest tunnel the Gothard Pass.

After the halt at Brunnen, we didn’t realize that we had taken the wrong route. We drove for 1.5 hours and suddenly someone sees the compass. We were going North instead of going south. Of course we didn’t regret it even a little bit because it was Switzerland.

We were had lost a lot of time in the breaks and loosing way. I had decided to take a break at 1AM in the night. I had driven continuously for more than 12 hours. We guys tried to find a hostel in the middle of the night, but we couldn’t find it. Finally we drove to a petrol bunk and slept in the car for 2 hours. We continued our journey to reach Rome at 6:00AM.

Day 2: 18^th November 2006

I was told by many that Italy feels like India. When I looked around I realized why! The driving style… the buildings, it was a nice experience.

We could see a lot of walls with posters on it!

Lot of two wheelers! I also saw an LML Vespa! I was also happy to see the good old Maruthi 800 the old version.

My first impression of Italy was not too good. I always had a feeling that I might get mugged anytime of the day! But it was only because we stayed at the city central where it is crowed!

We had Italian Pizza as our brunch and head towards the Vatican City.

I had no idea that Vatican City was the world’s smallest country! Wow! They had their own law and police! It was very nice to know. The architecture around was beautiful. I clicked a lot of photographs, did a lot of people photography too!

We then entered the church…

They didn’t let me use my tripod so I had fun using the floor, benches as tripod to click snaps!

We spent most of our time in Vatican City. We also went till the top of the building and got the aerial view of Rome and Vatican City.

From there we went to the wishing fountain. People wish and throw a penny in the pond! It is a belief that the wish would come true.

We found a group of people from ISKON promoting “Krishna” awareness. It felt nice to hear them sing. I joined them for a small dance

In Italy some have a very interesting way of earning money. This was the best. This man had completely painted him in silver and was acting dead in front of a trash can. It was a neat performance!

We continued loafing around on the streets to see better and better buildings around.

Day 3: 19^th November 2006

The whole day we roamed around “The Colosseum”. We had taken a guided tour where he explained every thing about “The Colosseum”, “The Imperial Fora”, “The Forum Romanum” and “The Palatine”.

View of the Colosseum from outside.

View of the Colosseum from Inside.

We returned back to the Colosseum at night again to capture some night shots.

The Colosseum at Night.

Day 4: 20^th November 2006

We started our drive at 6:30AM. This was a long drive back to Stuttgart. We visited Pisa on our way back. Took all kinds of funny photos (see the complete album).

Leaning tower of Pisa.

Return Journey.

We reached Stuttgart at 1AM. I was completely tired. But every time I look back at the “Alfa Romeo” I felt like driving more and more!

This road trip has been the maximum driving for me. I didn’t know that I could drive so much! I guess it is all because of the adrenal rush due to the beautiful car!

Click here to view all photos .

Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace région of northeastern France, with approximately 650,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 1999. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the préfecture (capital) of the Bas-Rhin département.

The city’s Germanic name means “town (at the crossing) of roads”. Stras- is cognate to the English street from the German equivalent of the word, Straße, while -bourg from the German -burg (“fortress, town”) is cognate to the English borough.

Strasbourg is an important centre of manufacturing and engineering, as well as of road, rail and river communications.

Strasbourg is the seat of the Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament, though the latter also holds sessions in Brussels.

Read more about the place here.

The journey:

Team: Dogan Vardar, Kayin Pinar Burcu and myself.

I had met Burcu in the Bosch shuttle bus. All of us being new to Germany wanted to travel different place. We decided to goto Strasbourg, France. I had heard a lot about the place from my other colleagues.

Strasbourg is not too far from Stuttgart. Its about 2 hours by train from here. We decided to go on a Saturday. Unfortunately the weather was bad in Strasbourg that day. Nevertheless the place is very beautiful. We left Stuttgart at 9:11 AM and reached Strasbourg at 11:02AM.

It was very cold and also raining But the weather didn’t bother us too much as the city is very beautiful.

We head straight to the information center, get a city map and head out!

We enter the main city and see a small church. Entered it… it was very beautiful inside.

I haven’t been to many Churches before. It was a very nice experience for me to see the architecture of the place. The church was too silent, i was feeling a little weird to click snaps as my camara’s clicking was loud.

From there we visited the Strasbourg Cathedral. It is a beautiful sight! We search for some souvenirs and continue to roam around in the city.

This city reminded me a lot of San Francisco, California. may be because of the houses and the apartments. Of-course Strasbourg had more history and architectural buildings.

As the day goes on… it gets dark by 5:00PM. The city looks even beautiful at night. I was happy to click some nice night photos.

May be because of rains, we did not see a lot of crowd in the day time. But at night we started seeing a lot of people.

For me being in France for the first time I didn’t know what to expect. But Strasbourg is not what I had in mind. It gives a complete different picture, may be because it has both the German and the french influence.

We head back home at 18:27. Reached back the hotel at 21:30.

To See the complete album Click here

The Adventure: We had to catch the 6:18AM train from the main station to Tuttlingen. I miss the train from Feuerbach (where I stay) to the main station. Try to cycle half way in the dark at 5:50AM, I have no idea which way to go. Finally cycled till another station and luckily get a train at 6:05AM. I reach the main station at 6:15AM… these guys were waiting for me. In the last min I buy the ticket… insert the money, Chidananda says you run… I’ll get the ticket. Unfortunately he picks up only the ticket for my bicycle and he forgets to collect the ticket for me. We still didnt realize this.

Poornima, Chidananda, Hemanth, and I get into the train. Mahesh and Shetty still outside the train finishing their last puff, try to get into the train now… but its too late… the doors of the train doesnt open.

Worst part Mahesh has the ticket for the 5 of them, and I have my ticket (still dont know that I dont have my ticket, I have only the cycle ticket).

We were hoping that no one checks till we get off the train in the next station.

First time lucky.. no one checks… we get out at the next station.

Spend time cycling around the place.

Clicking lots of snaps

Finally these guys arrive… and head on towards Tuttlingen.

Half way through the ticket inspector comes to check our tickets. These guys show their ticket… when its my turn I still dont realize that I dont have the complete ticket… give the TC the ticket for the cycle… he asks for the other ticket too… that’s when mahesh asks me where the other ticket was. I knew it was time to panic. I could hardly explain to the TC as he knew only German… mahesh could somehow manage to convince the TC that we guys were first timers and forgot to collect the ticket.

Unfortunately we had to buy the ticket again with a fine of 40Euros, which might be excused. I have to write a letter and explain the whole story to them and then they might let me go!

Anyways we make we take the whole thing as an experience… make a good video out of it and laugh a lot about it.

We reach Tuttlingen and the weather was a little cold, but was very nice. It was colourful everywhere.

Overall we had a great time!!!

Click here to see the Album.

We make Aloo Parotas, Geera Rice, Rajma Curry and Fruit salad!

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Ayudha pooja at home. My best part is my cycle! Dad did the pooja for all the vehicles… I was too lazy to do any work!

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Swaroop’s Birthday – Morning Session

Swaroop, Ajay, Niara and I meet up at my place… watch the road trip video… laugh laugh and laugh!!!

Swaroop’s Birthday – Surprise party @ Parade Grounds

We arrange a surprise party for swaroop. Bel made a pineapple cake !!! Lots of fun!!!

Ajay, Swaroop, Niara & I goto transit, bump into Vandy! Vandy whacks ajay’s phone… ajay on his knees begging for the phone! We make a lot of noise, almost kicked out of transit!! hehee…

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Sidhu, Vandy, Swaroop, Ajay, Binu and I meet at Coffee day, Brigade Road. As usual Ajay gets beaten up by all of us!!! We laugh our guts out! Good fun!

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Click here for Photos