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The Living Road
A solo motorcycle ride across India, and into Bhutan,
becomes much more than just a test of physical endurance
when 57-year-old, Pune-based, speech therapist Ajit
Harisinghani decides to go in the pursuit of that most
elusive of all human desires -Happiness.
With the idea of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness on
his mind, he traverses a potpourri of terrain; riding through
landscapes that change daily. From arid land to verdant
fields, from jungles with glimpses of elephants and tigers
to tea gardens…
Along the way, he meets a yogi and his singing goat, explores
ancient caves, is frightened in a wild life sanctuary, sees a
schizophrenic bicycle and helps a police inspector overcome
his stammering problem. A variety of experiences later, he
is finally in Thimpu where a Buddhist monk reveals the
road-map to being happy.
A funny, honest and entertaining real-life adventure story
that promises to surprise, shock and perhaps even liberate!
becomes much more than just a test of physical endurance
when 57-year-old, Pune-based, speech therapist Ajit
Harisinghani decides to go in the pursuit of that most
elusive of all human desires -Happiness.
With the idea of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness on
his mind, he traverses a potpourri of terrain; riding through
landscapes that change daily. From arid land to verdant
fields, from jungles with glimpses of elephants and tigers
to tea gardens…
Along the way, he meets a yogi and his singing goat, explores
ancient caves, is frightened in a wild life sanctuary, sees a
schizophrenic bicycle and helps a police inspector overcome
his stammering problem. A variety of experiences later, he
is finally in Thimpu where a Buddhist monk reveals the
road-map to being happy.
A funny, honest and entertaining real-life adventure story
that promises to surprise, shock and perhaps even liberate!
- GenresTravelNonfiction
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
28 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 13, 2015
A pursuit of Happiness!
Ajit Harisinghani leads us into the his journey to Bhutan. Unlike a typical bikers book, his is a story of his journey & his thoughts..
So much to learn from such a book!
Ajit Harisinghani leads us into the his journey to Bhutan. Unlike a typical bikers book, his is a story of his journey & his thoughts..
So much to learn from such a book!
October 30, 2017
Fun read. Simply told, with lots of humor. A travelogue should make you want to travel, and this does...
January 4, 2019
If you're a traveler, this one will inspire you to pack your bags and take that trip you've been planning for ages. I'm surely booking my tickets to Bhutan soon!
July 13, 2019
An engaging travel book on a bike trip from Pune to Bhutan. The author meets many interesting people on the way to the Land of Gross National Happiness.
December 20, 2019
Breezy read. Always wanted ride to Bhutan. And my desire increased tenfold after reading this.
June 24, 2023
Must read for any biker. Loads of good tales for ride to bhutan
November 21, 2020
A well narrated travel journey by. Specialist doctor... The travel and contact with people is freshening us...
July 1, 2016
Okay, this was a very good, fast-paced travelogue which I finished in about 5 nights. I enjoyed the premise of the book thoroughly but wished it was longer. That, in fact, was my major grouse with 'The Living Road'. I wanted more descriptions of the people and places the author came across. It almost seemed like he was in a hurry to finish describing his journey to us. For example, I would have been interested if the author gave more descriptions of the food he ate in all those places. Because almost always it was like we were just given a brief mention of the food he ate and what happened after. I felt some more explanations about the quality and the type of food he was consuming would have added more heart to the chapters. Because food, I feel, plays a crucial factor in such books.
I also felt that the book would have been served well with some emotional touches; he had a lot of opportunities for that in the myriad characters he meets and with the overall weather. He does that in one instance especially when he goes on to describe a certain instance from his childhood. Would have enjoyed more such anecdotes interjected in the narrative. Around 100 more pages is what this book really needed.
Regardless, I still loved this book. It has a languid and breezy feel to it and is really enjoyable from start to finish. Would recommend it highly to travelogue lovers. The high point of the book surely is when the author actually reaches Bhutan. Reading about its jovial people and the kind of charming place it is, I just fell in love with Bhutan and really want to travel there myself someday.
A thumbs up to Ajit Harisinghani for "The Living Road: A Motorcycle Journey to Bhutan". It stirred up my love for travel. Just wish it was a bit longer.
I also felt that the book would have been served well with some emotional touches; he had a lot of opportunities for that in the myriad characters he meets and with the overall weather. He does that in one instance especially when he goes on to describe a certain instance from his childhood. Would have enjoyed more such anecdotes interjected in the narrative. Around 100 more pages is what this book really needed.
Regardless, I still loved this book. It has a languid and breezy feel to it and is really enjoyable from start to finish. Would recommend it highly to travelogue lovers. The high point of the book surely is when the author actually reaches Bhutan. Reading about its jovial people and the kind of charming place it is, I just fell in love with Bhutan and really want to travel there myself someday.
A thumbs up to Ajit Harisinghani for "The Living Road: A Motorcycle Journey to Bhutan". It stirred up my love for travel. Just wish it was a bit longer.
February 13, 2018
The book is like a long reads blog post series. The narrative flows nicely. I like the authors sense of humour like the incidents he narrates when he encounters one of the followers of Meher baba and the lone Brahmin who has married a lower caste woman and ask him for help at the roadside dhaba. The writer's self-consciousness and love for travel is evident in the book. Especially this sentence struck me "Maybe that is why we are all interested in the stories of others, especially the drastic ones. So we can vicariously experience what could very well have been our own story but for a quirk of fate." So true.
The description of some of the places he visits is vivid and spot on. The self deprecating humour and astute observation skills keep the narrative flowing smoothly as if we are traveling with the author himself. A nice travelogue.
The description of some of the places he visits is vivid and spot on. The self deprecating humour and astute observation skills keep the narrative flowing smoothly as if we are traveling with the author himself. A nice travelogue.
August 14, 2016
I am giving this book mid way just because after reading through 25% of the literature the author is still stuck in the hinterland of nagpur and akola.. which I certainly did not want to learn about especially about what author did every day, like made a goat sing! It s a good travelogue but the title is misleading.. Wouldn't recommend this book.. If you are.looking to read up something on Bhutan, this is certainly not the book..
April 15, 2019
For more detailed review click here
A journey of a 57 year old Pune-based speech therapist to Bhutan. A solo motorcycle ride across the width of India which becomes much more than just a physical endurance. All this began from one of his patients who thought of committing suicide.
The author comes across the concept of Gross National Happiness from His Highness from Bhutan. From that moment he wanted to make this journey the Pursuit of Happiness.
This is a breezy read like his ride. He meets different people on hi way to Bhutan; a yogi who is training a goat to sing. A Brahmin not happy with his marriage. A stammering inspector who helps the author in getting accommodation. A group of hijras and a couple of sadhus who are not real. Broken bridges and broken hearts. And finally he meets a monk who tells him the recipe of being happy.
Even author gets an opportunity to feature in Bhutan TV. He narrates his bike journey and provides tips on speech therapy. All in all it’s an easy read with the flow. I had completed it within 2 days.
A journey of a 57 year old Pune-based speech therapist to Bhutan. A solo motorcycle ride across the width of India which becomes much more than just a physical endurance. All this began from one of his patients who thought of committing suicide.
The author comes across the concept of Gross National Happiness from His Highness from Bhutan. From that moment he wanted to make this journey the Pursuit of Happiness.
This is a breezy read like his ride. He meets different people on hi way to Bhutan; a yogi who is training a goat to sing. A Brahmin not happy with his marriage. A stammering inspector who helps the author in getting accommodation. A group of hijras and a couple of sadhus who are not real. Broken bridges and broken hearts. And finally he meets a monk who tells him the recipe of being happy.
Even author gets an opportunity to feature in Bhutan TV. He narrates his bike journey and provides tips on speech therapy. All in all it’s an easy read with the flow. I had completed it within 2 days.
April 12, 2020
"In any case, riding solo, one is sure of coming first."
Ajit Harisinghani inspires with his writing. His first book, 'One Life to Ride:A Motorcycle Journey to the High Himalayas' depicts an epic journey, on motorcycle, to the land of lamas- Ladakh. And the solo journey was planned at a age when one thinks of planning for retirement. Yes, the man was in his fifties. That is a sigh of relief for late-comers like me. So after that epic Ladakh journey, he went on a cross-country ride to Bhutan. And this book is his decription of the road to Bhutan- the road across India, and into Bhutan- that was lively at all the times. It is a fun-read; a simple and loving travelogue, that is inspirational enough to move out of your bed and start planning for an interesting ride.
Ajit Harisinghani inspires with his writing. His first book, 'One Life to Ride:A Motorcycle Journey to the High Himalayas' depicts an epic journey, on motorcycle, to the land of lamas- Ladakh. And the solo journey was planned at a age when one thinks of planning for retirement. Yes, the man was in his fifties. That is a sigh of relief for late-comers like me. So after that epic Ladakh journey, he went on a cross-country ride to Bhutan. And this book is his decription of the road to Bhutan- the road across India, and into Bhutan- that was lively at all the times. It is a fun-read; a simple and loving travelogue, that is inspirational enough to move out of your bed and start planning for an interesting ride.
January 20, 2017
Travelogue of the author from on his bullet ride from Pune to Bhutan. But my expectations from the book was different. I expected to relive my Bhutan experience through the book and also learn the nitty gritty of long route bike travel (which I am yet to do). But the book talks more of the author's experience on the road with people and often self-aggrandizement. Very little of his stay and experience in Bhutan has been shared despite the author making a point early in the book that he planned to go Bhutan seeking the treasure trove of its happiness.
June 6, 2021
2016 ರ ಇಸವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತೆಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ನನಗೆ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಓದಲು ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಳು.
ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಮೊದಲ ಪುಸ್ತಕವಾಗಿದ್ದು ತುಂಬಾ ಖುಷಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದೆ.
ನಾನು ಸರಿಸುಮಾರು ಎರಡು ವಾರಗಳ ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ,ನನ್ನ ಬಿಡುವಿನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದೆ.
ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಓದುವಾಗ ನನಗನ್ನಿಸಿತು,,,,ಏನಿದು ಸಂತೋಷ ಸೂಚ್ಯಂಕ ವೆಂದು??? (Happiness index)
ಹಾಗೂ ಓದುವಾಗ, ನಾನು ಸಹ ಅವರ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಅನುಭವ. ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸುವಾಗ ದಾರಿಯುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ಆಗುವ ಸಂಗತಿಗಳನ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ವಿವರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಇದು ಆಂಗ್ಲ ಬಾಷೆ ಯಾಗಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ,ಕೆಲವೊಂದು ಪದಗಳ ಅರ್ಥ ಕಷ್ಟಕರವಾಗಿ , ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಆಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ..
ಆದರೂ ಸಹ ನನಗೆ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಚೆಂದವೆನಿಸಿತು.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು...✍️
ರಜನಿ
ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಮೊದಲ ಪುಸ್ತಕವಾಗಿದ್ದು ತುಂಬಾ ಖುಷಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದೆ.
ನಾನು ಸರಿಸುಮಾರು ಎರಡು ವಾರಗಳ ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ,ನನ್ನ ಬಿಡುವಿನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದೆ.
ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಓದುವಾಗ ನನಗನ್ನಿಸಿತು,,,,ಏನಿದು ಸಂತೋಷ ಸೂಚ್ಯಂಕ ವೆಂದು??? (Happiness index)
ಹಾಗೂ ಓದುವಾಗ, ನಾನು ಸಹ ಅವರ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಅನುಭವ. ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸುವಾಗ ದಾರಿಯುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ಆಗುವ ಸಂಗತಿಗಳನ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ವಿವರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಇದು ಆಂಗ್ಲ ಬಾಷೆ ಯಾಗಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ,ಕೆಲವೊಂದು ಪದಗಳ ಅರ್ಥ ಕಷ್ಟಕರವಾಗಿ , ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಆಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ..
ಆದರೂ ಸಹ ನನಗೆ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಚೆಂದವೆನಿಸಿತು.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು...✍️
ರಜನಿ
November 25, 2016
Nice read
I read sedomly.I have rarely crossed 20 pages if I didnt like the book,language or anything of the book. But this one I finished at one go. May be the wanderer in me wanted to know more about the authors experience .
I wish to venture outdoors more like the author ...let's see when I make out time.
I read sedomly.I have rarely crossed 20 pages if I didnt like the book,language or anything of the book. But this one I finished at one go. May be the wanderer in me wanted to know more about the authors experience .
I wish to venture outdoors more like the author ...let's see when I make out time.
March 6, 2018
An awesome Read...
The Living Road commemorated my own biking experience and the Bhutan memories that I travelled solo in 2014. His well paced and balanced writing depicts the mood of surroundings brilliantly. This book is merely a travelogue of Bhutan only rather it goes through the lives of common people of both the countries and venture into the secret of happyness.
The Living Road commemorated my own biking experience and the Bhutan memories that I travelled solo in 2014. His well paced and balanced writing depicts the mood of surroundings brilliantly. This book is merely a travelogue of Bhutan only rather it goes through the lives of common people of both the countries and venture into the secret of happyness.
August 29, 2021
A travelogue where Ajit Ji has strung the stories in such a manner that it makes you feel like you are riding pillion with him.
These stories gives a glimpse of India and how it is to ride through the mid western and north-east plains.
Insight on "mastery of feelings & not controlling them" was a surprise.
These stories gives a glimpse of India and how it is to ride through the mid western and north-east plains.
Insight on "mastery of feelings & not controlling them" was a surprise.
June 20, 2016
Not a great read. Ajit's first book 'One life to ride' was a better one. This one talks very little about the beauty of Bhutan. All the author covers is what he did each day and some of it feels fictitious with too many coincidences. Final verdict - It's passable. There are better books on travel.
February 17, 2018
Refreshingly Interesting !!! A quick read...The author takes us on a joyous ride on great Royal Enfield from Pune to Bhutan !! One could feel the ups & downs of his ride and the personalities he encounters along the way. Inspires the traveller within to go out and explore the limits !!!!
May 20, 2018
Mesmerising journey
I lived the journey. Mesmerising, nostalgic, fulfilling how to describe the rendition of events,people and places. Hats off to you Sir. I have been to all the places as my father was posted there In GREF.
I lived the journey. Mesmerising, nostalgic, fulfilling how to describe the rendition of events,people and places. Hats off to you Sir. I have been to all the places as my father was posted there In GREF.
July 18, 2019
Very good book
Very good book. Good read. What I didn’t expect was Xiaomi to make what you could consider iterative changes and still make the Mi Band 4 feel like a must-have wearable.
Very good book. Good read. What I didn’t expect was Xiaomi to make what you could consider iterative changes and still make the Mi Band 4 feel like a must-have wearable.
July 5, 2020
A travelogue should take the reader along and that what this book does. I took this book after reading his first book and this book lives not fully up to my expectations. I liked this book and want the writer to travel more and write more.
February 4, 2017
I like his style and enjoyed this book.
December 9, 2017
Good Small fun read as per its title it describes about roads with full of life and new things.
January 8, 2019
A nice travelogue. Easy read. Would inspire those of you who like to take long drives.
December 24, 2024
The night with the Terrifying Two, very enjoyable
January 17, 2023
Quite a simple read. Bhutan has been on my mind since forever - as far as it goes into the past (mostly 2014-15 when I got to know about it for the first time) and although this book shared a different experience, I expected it to be rooted in storytelling, which didn't happen, but all in all, it was quite a treat.
I had planned to take a road trip to this land of happiness in March 2020, that year when it all started with a person I'd met only once during a trek in 2019, and then that's that. I have still not visited the place. But, certain things mentioned in this book, or rather I imagined how it might be out there on the road, made me add A Bike Ride (at least internally) to Bhutan!
There's a quote I loved and still figuring out its interpretation, "Treat your shadow with respect." You can let me know your thoughts about this quote.
I feel I know all the people mentioned in this book and I smile at them all as I share this same sky under the fairytale clouds :)
Thanks a lot to Abhijeet, my 🐼 buddy for gifting this sweet book for my birthday (one of the books 😋)
I had planned to take a road trip to this land of happiness in March 2020, that year when it all started with a person I'd met only once during a trek in 2019, and then that's that. I have still not visited the place. But, certain things mentioned in this book, or rather I imagined how it might be out there on the road, made me add A Bike Ride (at least internally) to Bhutan!
There's a quote I loved and still figuring out its interpretation, "Treat your shadow with respect." You can let me know your thoughts about this quote.
I feel I know all the people mentioned in this book and I smile at them all as I share this same sky under the fairytale clouds :)
Thanks a lot to Abhijeet, my 🐼 buddy for gifting this sweet book for my birthday (one of the books 😋)
January 26, 2025
Dogho Dogho – A Journey to Smile and Heal
The Living Road by Ajit Harisinghani is an absolute delight for anyone who loves traveling or simply wants to escape into a journey without leaving their place. Ajit's masterful narration makes you feel as though you're riding alongside him, soaking in the landscapes and experiences.
Having read his first book, One Life to Ride, I was eager to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint. The humor and lucidity in his writing are remarkable, repeatedly making me smile as I turned the pages.
Beyond being a traveler, Ajit showcases his compassion as a doctor, beautifully narrating how he helped Rahul overcome suicidal thoughts, making it more than just a travel memoir.
For me, the mention of Ahmednagar (now Ahilyanagar), Meherabad, and even Jain Sadhvis added a personal and special touch. The narration is so vivid that, for a while, I forgot my worries and was entirely immersed in the journey.
Ajit’s blend of humor, wisdom, and observation makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking joy, inspiration, or a smile.
The Living Road by Ajit Harisinghani is an absolute delight for anyone who loves traveling or simply wants to escape into a journey without leaving their place. Ajit's masterful narration makes you feel as though you're riding alongside him, soaking in the landscapes and experiences.
Having read his first book, One Life to Ride, I was eager to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint. The humor and lucidity in his writing are remarkable, repeatedly making me smile as I turned the pages.
Beyond being a traveler, Ajit showcases his compassion as a doctor, beautifully narrating how he helped Rahul overcome suicidal thoughts, making it more than just a travel memoir.
For me, the mention of Ahmednagar (now Ahilyanagar), Meherabad, and even Jain Sadhvis added a personal and special touch. The narration is so vivid that, for a while, I forgot my worries and was entirely immersed in the journey.
Ajit’s blend of humor, wisdom, and observation makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking joy, inspiration, or a smile.
February 18, 2022
The author proves that age doesn't stop one to follow the passion. His first book on a solo motorcycle ride to Ladakh in his late fifties influenced me to read his second book on another solo ride to Bhutan. Exciting read for all who like to explore the world on motorcycle. Looking forward to the third book on his another travel adventure.
March 23, 2025
"The Living Road" by Ajit Harisinghani is a straightforward and enjoyable account of a bike journey to Bhutan. The witty stories along the way make it a fun read. It reminded me of my wish to visit Bhutan, something I've been wanting to do for a long time. And yes, it made me want to try my luck with a fortune cookie!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews