Road trip essentials of SRL Diagnostics boss: Insurance cover, on-the-go munchies, cool music

The stretch of open road in front of you, the unknown, the adventure, the wind in your hair. A road trip is all that and more. At least for Arindam Haldar. The CEO, SRL Diagnostics, loves driving vacations and he still remembers his first one, a road trip between Goa to Mangalore via the NH 66. He says, “This was in the ’90s and the roads were practically empty and smooth. The pristine beaches of Karwar blew our minds away and I can still remember the stretch next to Kali river on one side and the sea on the other. We just stopped by the road and absorbed the incredible natural beauty.”

Best destinations
While Haldar has lost count of the number of road trips he has done, he tries to include one whenever the time permits. “My last road trip was from Budapest to Bratislava and then through Austria, taking pit stop at Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The final break was at Prague.”


While it’s hard for him to pick a favourite, he says that for those who love the open road, South Africa is a must-do. “The drive along the Garden Route in South Africa was outstanding. We started from Cape Town and did the complete stretch up to Port Elizabeth. We stayed over at a few B&B, enroute. The one at Knysna was at the head of the lagoon … and I almost wished we could stay back there forever,” he says. What’s next for Haldar? “I am not sure if it’s going to be my next, but a drive along the Gold Coast down under is definitely on the bucket list. Another would be chasing the aurora borealis in Iceland!”

Trippin’ tips
But road trips are not without hurdles Haldar points out. There are a number of things you need to keep in mind, especially if you are a newbie. “If one is going with one’s own car, the latter should be thoroughly checked/serviced once before hitting the pedal. If it’s on hire, prefer taking it from one of the well-known brand names – just to ensure that their road side assistance is proper,” Haldar recommends. His tips for a road trip abroad are worth noting too. He advises, “If you are driving outside of India, be careful of all local rules and license/vignette requirements and take enough damage protection/insurance cover. Comfortable clothes, enjoyable company, snacks on the go, and most importantly an open mind ready to just soak in, are paramount. Remember, the real fun is in the journey itself and not necessarily, in the destination.”

And Haldar’s final tip -- easy-going music does the trick on a road trip.