When I got to know about the itinerary of the entire event, to be frank, I was thrilled to see the Mumbai-Alibaug Drive part as it was to cover the roads where I learnt my ‘ABC’ of Driving skills in late nineties.
BHPian dr.vikas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Last weekend, I got an opportunity to participate alongwith my family in the Mumbai -Alibaug drive, organised by Škoda India as a Women’s Special Edition of FansOfŠkoda event. Accordingly, I’ve posted my story on Social media & would like to post this Special revised version of it here for fellow BHPians.
The FansOfŠkoda Badge:
It’s been a year that ŠkodaAutoIndia had organised the DriveWithSLAVIA event for our FansOfŠkoda group. The memories of the grand World Premiere of the all new ŠkodaSlavia & the drive in the picturesque terrain of South Goa are still fresh in our minds.
Meanwhile ŠkodaIndia has gained a quite comprehensive ground in Indian car market with the introduction of Slavia & Kushaq, also with substantial increase in the number of touch points across India. Here, one should not ever forget all the positive efforts taken by Zac Hollis, Ex-Brand Director, ŠkodaIndia to transform the brand image with the revised customer-centric approach before his reallocation to Škoda Head Office at Prague.
FansOfŠkoda members with Zac Hollis ahead of his flight-
Our interaction with Zac Hollis in Goa & later at his Mumbai residence just before his departure would always be remembered by us. Interestingly Zac also shared the above pic on his FB page later in appreciation of Indian customers. Great !
In fact, I personally was looking for an opportunity to relive the fond memories of the DriveWithSLAVIA event with fellow members of FansOfŠkoda group and also to meet Petr Šolc, new Brand Director, ŠkodaIndia. And then the long awaited opportunity came our way unexpectedly.
FansOfŠkoda event- Women’s Special Edition, Mumbai
So one fine morning, I received a call from TeamŠkoda inviting us for the Women’s Special Edition of FansOfŠkoda event at Mumbai.
Itinerary of the Drive event-
When I got to know about the itinerary of the entire event, to be frank, I was thrilled to see the Mumbai-Alibaug Drive part as it was to cover the roads where I learnt my ‘ABC’ of Driving skills in late nineties, during my practice in & around Panvel.
So nostalgic feeling it was!!
Actually, the invitation was meant only for the couples but with the due permission from organizers, I got my niece also included as a stand by driver for me.
Fellow BHPian sawnilrules who owns an Octavia Style TSI, was also among the participants, called me and asked me to get my Škoda Octavia for this Drive event over my 4×4 Škoda Yeti. In fact, being a part of the previous chapter of FansOfŠkoda event at Goa, we already know each other. So, considering the DSG box in my Octavia would be a boon while dealing with the heavy traffic in Mumbai, I decided to follow his advice and indeed, that helped me a lot throughout the entire journey of 900 kms back home.
Finally Octavia overtook Yeti for the Drive-
According to the program schedule, we were supposed to check-in at Courtyard By Marriott, Andheri at 16.00 hrs on 18th March, the venue for the event. Ever since we left our residence for the 370 kms journey in my Škoda Octavia 1.8 TSI, L & K, it was just ‘tap & GO’ for us till Panvel on NH4, but then onwards with the ‘STOP & go’ kinda Mumbai traffic it took 2 hrs for the last 40 kms and we somehow managed to check-in by 17.00 hrs to join the tribe.
Needless to mention, the ambience & hospitality at Marriott was unmatched & so was the event, professionally managed by TeamŠkoda, carefully & cordially as well ! I’m sure, interaction with some old friends and introduction to newbies, never let you feel out of place at any such event..
Stage ready at ‘Pearl’ Banquet hall-
No wonder, the evening was full of excitement, fun activities and asking for involvement of all the delegates irrespective of the age groups they belong to, with a Magic show followed by Music, Dance & Dinner!I would rather say, it was nothing less than a family get together comprising of ‘mini’ India out there !!
Sandeep, Head ŠkodaMediaPR introducing the TEAM behind the event-
As per schedule, the flag-off for Alibaug Drive was planned early in the morning, preceded by check-out & breakfast at Coffee shop. And I guess, this Sunday morning could have been an exceptional one for many, to be ready on dot so early..
Porch at Marriott getting ready for Flag-Off-
The Convoy being Flagged Off-
Our convoy of about 20 Škodas consisted mostly of Kushaqs, a Rapid, 2 Octavias & few Slavias with few support vehicles and an ambulance as well for the drive.
BHPian sawnilrules with his Octavia-
Finally, we left the Lobby of Marriott by 07.15 hrs to get merged in a disciplined manner into the already sparse traffic of Sunday morning.
Let’s Go-
It was a slow and steady but eventless drive upto Panvel. And then we took right turn on to the Mumbai-Goa highway for Alibaug where we could be able to shift gears for some spirited drive. The first & only pitstop was planned at the Highway King Restaurant, near Karnala at 58 kms en-route of the entire 102 kms drive.
Fleet basking in the morning sunshine-
Women Power with the Fleet cars-
Centre place for the Octavias-
Continue reading dr.vikas’ report on the Skoda drive for more insights and information.
Keyword: My experience attending the Fans of Skoda women's special event