Direction Maheshwar, but not easy...buses at their best.

Getting out of Mandu was a real experience, and it wasn't going to be easy. Maheshwar also seemed possibly an interesting small town to visit on the banks of the Narmada river. The only way out of Mandu was by taxi (stupid prices, or by bus). We took the bus (crammed full as usual) 14 km to a junction and then waited 30 minutes for the local bus to Damnude, which was an hours journey away. At Damnuude changed bus again for Maheshwar and finally arrived about an hour later. Maheshwar had little to offer; a smallish old fort, and a dry river. So after walking a kilometre to find accommodation decided a night's stay wasn't worth the effort, and decided to move on. Most buses ran back to Indore, but we had no real intention on returning to Indore, but Balwada was a train junction, and therefore a good place to head to.
After about an hour I sensed that we might just be on the wrong bus, although I showed the map to the driver before we boarded. I later found out he couldn't read... very helpful.

Well, it was the wrong bus, but it was heading in the semi- right direction. So we changed at a place called Bushwar (not on our map, but near Sanawad), and after a break of 15 minutes decided to take our 5th bus of the day to Khandwa (also a train junction). Three hours later finally arrived in Khandwa in the pouring rain as the sun set. The bus had no windscreen wipers, and I doubt any lights. The entrance to the town was along a 3 kilometre bumpy un-tarmacd road; through the back streets to the bus station. Instantly not a good feeling, and I doubt if many tourists come this way. Quite understandable.

I went off on foot, and shortly found a pretty rough guest house for the night, dirty but bearable for one night's stay. Was advised by a local that it was a bad area,(no real surprise as we were close to the bus and train station) and it was best not to go down the side streets (I had no intention) hence we just wanted to get out of the place as early as possible the next morning.

So a very long and tiring day spent travelling on cramped, hot and sweaty buses...too much in one day! In the morning (29th June) managed to get a place on the 11.30a.m train to Bhusawal (near Jalgaon). Sleeper class, which basically means the worst seats available.
The monsoon storms have arrived late this year, and with the high humidity levels ; a new challenge or better to describe a new annoyance............flys in their thousands.........everywhere!