Ferrari Magic India Tour

Prancing in the Land of the Tiger

This was the start of the early wake ups in time to hear the early birds chirping on their way to catch their respective worms. The destination, Goa, was very inviting but there were 500 kms to be traversed first to get there. It was refreshing to see all bright faces at the breakfast table. This was going to be a great group to travel with! The tons of luggage loaded, we were on our way at 7:30. The advantage of leaving early is one always saves oneself from the chaos of traffic. We were out of Pune before we knew it and back on the expressway. Except for interesting people along the highway, there wasn't much of consequence until we got to the short climb into the hills. The filming crew's excitement and actions always seem to be inversely proportionate to the straightness of the road. The more twisty the road, the more they appear to smile. I had been clicking away too. More easily as a passenger but driving didn't stop me, only difference being not looking through the view finder. The hill climb however was relatively short and things calmed down once again as the highway straightened itself out like a repentant criminal.

The Scagliettis at the Shalini Palace in Kohlapur adjoining the Rankala Lake

Enjoying myself in the Ferrari 612 Scagliettis and feasting on its V12 throaty growl

Midday saw the Ferraris and the Iveco turning heads in the busy town of Kohlapur. Although it's not very well known, the town, I was told by a friend in Mumbai, is a major hub for purchases of exotic cars. I can second that because during the recce for the route, the first thing I saw on entering Kohlapur was a Bentley drive past. The sleak powerful looks of the Ferraris and the monstreous appearance of the Iveco had crowds gathering, even as the cars slowed only to negotiate the traffic. The town was our halting place for lunch, which was organised at the Shalini Palace, adjoining the Rankala Lake. The lunch break was a relaxed affair and the location gave the photographers and film crew enough to keep them busy for a bit. It was then off again but via the Belgaum route, which was new to me. It turned out to be quite picturesque and the clouds in the valley below, reddened by the setting sun, made everyone including me, reach for our cameras. I am the happiest driver as soon as I head into the Himalayas, expecially Ladakh, but these hills of the south, although much smaller, made for quite an interesting drive. Once out of the hills and onto the smooth main Mumbai-Goa highway, we were greeted by the shimmering lights reflected in the tranquil waters of the lake at Sawantvadi.

As we neared our destination, we turned in from O' Cochero, a restaurant now famous for being the spot Charles Sobraj was caught. I could now smell the distinct scent of Goa. There are other coastal towns I have visited but there is something unique about the smell of the Goan air. Entering Goa has always given me a sense of being stress-free and tonight was no exception as we drove in, despite the long 12 hour drive. The quality of rooms at the Taj Fort Aguada more than did its bit to relax the stiff muscles. Plans were to head down to the good ol' shacks on the beach but as often happens during expeditions like this, discussions and firefighting changes situations by the second. So it was dinner and drinks at the hotel itself after a refreshing shower. Cars were taken for refueling and it was my first drive in the Ferrari. It was such an adrenalin rush! I wasn't driving but when Andreas, one of the Italian engineers, floored the pedal to the metal, I was as close to becoming an excited child once again as I could ever be! One moment my head was stuck against the back of the seat due to the acceleration and the next moment my chest was straining against the seat belts due to the braking. And obviously that sound! Itcould get any heart racing!

The setting sun lit up the low clouds in the valley on the way down to Sawantvadi