Hot Tea Across India  (English, Paperback, Mehta Rishad Saam)

Hot Tea Across India is a travelogue, which comprises interesting stories of the writer’s journey to the Himalayan region and through the length and breadth of India.

Summary Of The Book

Combining travel and tea, Hot Tea Across India documents interesting incidents on the writer’s journeys across India, from the Himalayan region to Delhi and Mumbai. The author mostly travels on his Bullet where he can, and where he cannot, he sends his bike on to destinations where he can use it. He talks about the incidents where he lost his vehicle, and he was even compelled to sell it at one point. He had to bribe policemen and railway clerks to ensure that he could keep possession of his precious bike and take it everywhere with him.

A big part of the book is dedicated to his travel experiences while driving across the Himalayan region, including places like Ladakh and Kashmir, and also the 'Dhabas' and eateries along the way. He narrates his experiences in Raid-de-Himalayas, an annual off-road motor sport event.
Hot Tea Across India has tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the travails of travel in India, like the one about the ‘Luxarey’ bus that he travelled in, from Haridwar to Manali. He recounts his various experiences on the way, including the time when he was apprehended as a terrorist to hitching a ride on a truck from Mumbai to Delhi.

The linking factor in all these accounts is the author’s experience of drinking tea, wherever he went. Each place had its own unique tradition and specialties, and the author managed to locate a tea stall wherever he went, even in the remotest corner of the country.

The book also contains a description of Mehta’s memorable dining experiences and the various places that he stayed in. He describes the varied cuisines he tasted across the country, and also provides tips on how to find the best places to dine in. 

Hot Tea Across India is anecdotal and filled with interesting incidents. Hilarious and witty, this travelogue attempts to offer an insightful read.

About Rishad Saam Mehta

Rishad Saam Mehta is an engineer who switched his career to photography and travel writing. He graduated with a degree in electronics engineering from Bombay University.

Mehta’s writings are featured in many publications like Hindustan Times, Mid-Day, The Hindu, Mint, The Times of India, and India Today.
He writes about the trials and joys of the road trip, food and drink, entertainment, interesting encounters with people, street markets, and adventure sports. His photographs also help convey the magic of travel, interesting moments, and places to his readers.

Mehta decided to turn his passion for driving and travel into a career. He is passionate about driving holidays - whether in a car or on a motor bike. He loves the freedom that a self-driving holiday can provide: the ability to stop where he wants to and explore unconventional routes.