This was no chore, though, for the smooth tarmac and stunning views as the sun sank into the still waters of the reservoir and a solitary fisher boat rowed along its surface made for a memorable drive. This is what road trips are all about. The Sonet’s headlights had flicked on (auto lights for the win!) as I made the last bit of the drive to Debrigarh under cover of darkness. Having been told stories of roving bears and stalking leopards, I was thankful for the powerful LEDs that lit up the forest road.
After spending the night in the camp, I headed out on a safari experience. Unfortunately, I had to trade out the comfort of the Sonet for the safari truck instead. A period of animal spotting and I was back in the comfortable driver’s seat of the Sonet, enjoying the soothing cool of the air-con. Now more than ever, we have to be conscious about the air we breathe and the Sonet provides a crucial assist in this regard too. It comes with an in-built air-filter that not only detects the quality of the air within the vehicle but also actively works to improve it. Having reassured myself that the air quality was firmly entrenched in the green zone, I set off once more, this time to the nearby weavers’ settlement at Bargarh to witness the artistry of ikat tie-dye and weaving first hand. After spending a little time with the weavers and dealing with the awful rumble strips that pepper the highway leading up to the settlement — the Sonet’s superbly tuned suspension worked hard to smooth them out — I headed back to Sambalpur for the night.
