I could have planned for a long weekend, if not for some work that drove me back to office on Saturday. Yet I and a couple of friends got around planning something for Sunday.
So we finally decided to head to Lonavala and Kandala. An hour’s journey from Pune via local train. It was 9 fifteen when we reached Chinchwad station and bought tickets. At around 9.30 the train pulled over and we rushed in as locals don't stop for more than 30 seconds. We were a group of six. We all got to find seats after a couple of stops. 30 mins passed and then we realized we were on a special train to Lonavala which almost took us 2 hours to reach our destination :)
In the meantime we started playing Dumsharads. I and my roommate are totally novice to the Hindi language. But that did not stop us from guessing the names of several Hindi movies. It was fun and somehow averted the frustrating slow journey.
Lonavala, finally! We set foot on the station at 11.20.
It started to rain right after we came out of the station.
Now we started hunting for tour cabs preferably a Tata Sumo.
After enquiring at several places. We booked a Sumo and started towards Bushi Dam.
A drive in the clouds.
Waterfalls were a common scene at Lonavala.
At Bushi dam, we did not step out of the car. There was hajar crowd already trekking towards the dam. So we preceded towards a place called Air force shooting spot.
Know as a famous shooting place for several Hindi movies.
At Bushi dam, we did not step out of the car. There was hajar crowd already trekking towards the dam. So we preceded towards a place called Air force shooting spot.
Know as a famous shooting place for several Hindi movies.
When we reached the spot. It was so thickly surrounded by fog. We could hardly see where we were walking. In a couple of minutes i started rain started to pour. We order for chai and corn bakoda's at a near by tea stall.
The garam chai with bakoda on a rainy day, it was sensationally refreshing.
After the rains the place was a little more visible. Yet only 10 feet from us was clear. We went for a walk, clicked some snaps.
After the rains the place was a little more visible. Yet only 10 feet from us was clear. We went for a walk, clicked some snaps.
It was amazing; i could not believe such places existed in India. So cold a weather and a welcoming green of nature all around.
When we got back to the cab. The driver was telling us that there were many other secluded places which are even more scenic and romantic. Since we were a mixed crowd of friends, he did not want to take us to those spots ;)
When we got back to the cab. The driver was telling us that there were many other secluded places which are even more scenic and romantic. Since we were a mixed crowd of friends, he did not want to take us to those spots ;)
We started to other places around Lonavala. Its a beautiful city, if well maintained it would turn out to be heaven on earth.
We stopped at a vegetarian restaurant towards Kandala for lunch. We ordered for a
variety of food. But the quality was bad :(
Next we went to yet another BEAutiful shooting spot. A picturesque meadow.
Trees, pond and a vast stretch of pasture boundless
variety of food. But the quality was bad :(
Next we went to yet another BEAutiful shooting spot. A picturesque meadow.
Trees, pond and a vast stretch of pasture boundless
Massive mountains and far away cascades matchless.
The surrounding Stillness gently arouses mellowness.
Every breath so fresh, so calm, one tends to be pensive.
The remaining places were the Tiger valley and unset point at Kandala. 
Tiger valley
Description: A park. No tigers!
Purpose: Serves a fantastic view of the surrounding hills and waterfalls.
Sunset Point
Description: Some 30 feet from tiger valley. On the road that leads to the express way.
Purpose: A perfect spot to watch the sunset.
The last place on our list was a Dam maintained by Tata Power. A well maintained place. The walk towards the dam was fun and scenic.
And the Dam itself was a sight to see. Could not click pictures of this great view.
As its a private property.
On our way back, we bought some roasted sweet corn. Munching it all the way back to the Station.
Description: A park. No tigers!
Purpose: Serves a fantastic view of the surrounding hills and waterfalls.
Sunset Point
Description: Some 30 feet from tiger valley. On the road that leads to the express way.
Purpose: A perfect spot to watch the sunset.
The last place on our list was a Dam maintained by Tata Power. A well maintained place. The walk towards the dam was fun and scenic.
And the Dam itself was a sight to see. Could not click pictures of this great view.
As its a private property.
On our way back, we bought some roasted sweet corn. Munching it all the way back to the Station.
It was six 40 then. Unfortunately the next train to Pune was only at 7.20.
So we asked the driver to take us for another round or to another spot.
Well he refused. So we bough our tickets and walked into the station.
So we asked the driver to take us for another round or to another spot.
Well he refused. So we bough our tickets and walked into the station.
We had some namkeen and we bought tea at a stall on the platform.
We were sharing our thoughts after the stress releasing day. We talked too much that we didn't realize that our train had already pulled over at the station. We were at platform 1 and had to rush up and down the bridge to reach platform 3.
We were sharing our thoughts after the stress releasing day. We talked too much that we didn't realize that our train had already pulled over at the station. We were at platform 1 and had to rush up and down the bridge to reach platform 3.
And finally boarded the train back to Pune.
