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When someone loves the road as much as you do, then travelling with them can be a treat in itself. So it was when I travelled with Gul Panag when shooting for the My Endeavour alterrain series produced by Ford India and National Geographic. Gul loves her wheels - and she can be in her elements when on the driver’s seat of a good car. Like Ford’s SUV, the Endeavour alterrain edition (http://www.india.ford.com/suvs/endeavour). The journey started on the beaches of Goa, and we kept to the Arabian Sea coastline down to Karnataka, with stops at Karwar and Gokarna. Gul then took a turn towards the interiors of the state, driving on roads cutting through beautiful forest belts and hilly terrain all the way to Hampi. She was on an endeavour of her own - in search of material for a possible coffee table book, or a travelogue. Did she fulfill her quest? To some extent for sure. Six days was never going to be enough - but I am sure it provided a starting point for her to revisit these places in the future to get enough for a book. In the meantime, her journey definitely made for good viewing on television - her show based on this drive was aired on National Geographic channel in India on June 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Did you watch the show? Whether you did or not, join me on the journey from another vantage point - through images. Have a look at more pictures from the trip at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151344332960770.1073741835.108449295769. And watch the curtain raiser on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ph_A8TLsuM.
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Goa to Hampi with Gul PanagTHE EPISODE ROUND-UP
The show was telecast on June 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., India Standard Time
All photographs and text by Ajay [email protected] / http://kunzum.com
Tuesday 25 June 13
Gul started the journey by taking the car straight into the water on the beaches of Goa - she could not resist the temptation given the power of the
Ford Endeavour alterrain
Tuesday 25 June 13
The sea was calling - and so were some adventure boats. But Gul preferred to kick sand with the wheels of her car on the
beachside itself.
Tuesday 25 June 13
You know it was not an easy shoot when the sun beats down like it often does in Goa - but that did not stop us from being out exploring
Tuesday 25 June 13
One of the discoveries of Goa (for us at least) was Fontainhas (or Bairro das Fontainhas, in Portuguese). An old Latin Quarter in the city of Panaji in Goa, its
heritage status means little or no alterations are allowed. To a great extent, it has retained its Portuguese influence, at the architectonic level, such as narrow streets, old villas and buildings painted in lively colors. The quarter shows how Panaji was
during the Portuguese rule of Goa. It is one the best places to stay in, but you would be very lucky to find someone selling or letting out a house.
Tuesday 25 June 13
Goa is full of picture postcard moments - and that is why you want to go back again and again.
Tuesday 25 June 13
Gul, and everyone else, needed to cool off all through the day. And on hot days, tender coconuts taste even better - like this one in Gokarna.
Tuesday 25 June 13
Gul sure was one happy lady on the beaches of Gokarna - but
what’s that in the background?
Tuesday 25 June 13
Ouch! Someone has taken a tumble while surfing in Gokarna. Was it Gul? No - she did take a few lessons, but would still not venture into the waves on a
board. Do you want to learn to surf? Gokarna has a school for you.
Tuesday 25 June 13
What can be better than relaxing on a beach in Gokarna and watching the sun set far into the Arabian Sea?
Tuesday 25 June 13
That’s how far the Endeavour would go in Hampi, but what was Gul doing? Talking with the goats to clear the way? I was too far to hear the
conversation. :)
Tuesday 25 June 13
That’s a smart pose, Gul!
Tuesday 25 June 13
See these pillars? These used to support a bridge for a river crossing centuries ago in Hampi.
Tuesday 25 June 13
Check out the landscape in Hampi
Tuesday 25 June 13
The lady is out exploring the ruins of Hampi in a Coracle. What fun!
Tuesday 25 June 13
A natural water pool in the rocks of Hampi. Sure was tempting to slide into it to cool off!
Tuesday 25 June 13
Rowing a Coracle is hard work - ask Gul!
Tuesday 25 June 13
A triumphant Gul after rowing the Coracle - she did not need to go to the gym on that day itself at least.
Tuesday 25 June 13
That’s a view of Hampi from the top - greens, blues and browns make for a stunning landscape here.
Tuesday 25 June 13
One of the many temple complexes in Hampi - taken from atop a hill where we trudged up to check out an ancient temple dedicated to
Hindu God Hanuman at the supposed place of His birth Tuesday 25 June 13
Gul tried her hands learning the Djembe in Hampi - from the very
talented Gali Durugappa who lives in Hampi itself.
Tuesday 25 June 13
And then there was the Dutch painter Robert Geesink - Hampi has been home to him for decades, and the place to get inspiration for his art.
Tuesday 25 June 13
