Hasty decisions sometimes come back to haunt us at the most inappropriate of times. Nostalgia gets better of me whenever I crave for a weekend getaway and I am unable to decide a destination. And then the decision to move back from Pune to Delhi comes to trouble me with all it’s might. Unlike Pune, we literally have zero destinations which can be done in a one day trip. Okay, agreed we have two – Agra and Neemrana(which is not open to public unless you book a stay) And I can’t think of any more so I get on that regret trip once again.
But life was a bundle of joy few years back when a long drive meant leaving the city for a day and heading to the mountains. Or forests. Or beaches. Or rivers. Back then, a trip included no hassles of getting leaves approved, figuring out accommodation or booking travel tickets. And that’s one reason why I love and miss Pune so much. We rode off to different directions each weekend during the monsoons. A bike and two helmets were all that was required!
I remember vividly my first venture of that kind and it continues to be one of the best trips I have ever had for reasons more than one. It was my first time at Lonavla, the weather was amazing and I was with two people who mean the world to me. The phrase ‘Life is beautiful’ got a whole new meaning that day.
It was a pretty July afternoon with a constant pitter patter of raindrops.Roughly fifty kilometers lay ahead of us to reach the hills of Lonavla but that’s not a long distance when you have your best friends for company. A chai-stop and endless talks later, the mountains greeted us with a drizzle. It was green all around and clouds seem to have descended on earth. I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful it all was. We stopped by the roadside, just to soak in the view and click pictures with the amazing new Digital Camera. Yes, those were pre-SLR days and mobile photography was practically non-existent. It was a task to get me back into the car.
Our first stop was Bushi Dam. Water gushing with a huge speed through the dam was a sight to relish. It was the first time I saw a dam and was mesmerized by it’s sheer size and kept imagining how the Nangal Dam would be like. Someday, I will see that too. Bushi Dam provided ample opportunities to indulge, but since those two love me to the moon and back, I was not allowed to venture in. Nevertheless, I was happy that the view pretty much made up for everything else.
Next, we moved towards Tiger Point. By the time we got out of the car, it was raining once again. A pleasant surprise awaited us though. It was like, out of the car and we walked straight into a cloud. Hazy was the new beautiful. We walked, hand-in-hand towards the valley. The body, mind and soul were all experiencing magic at the same moment and I have seldom felt that kind of joy. The clouds soon started melting away, and they cleared the valley for us to look at nature’s amazing marvel that Tiger Point is. No camera could have done justice to what our eyes saw. To this day, I get goosebumps just thinking about that day when clouds descended on earth and made it so much more special for us.
When I see something that beautiful, something inside me changes. I stop talking, stop reacting, forget my phone and don’t even remember that I possess a camera. Sometimes, even a silent tear or two are also not unusual. I came back to senses when the clouds cleared and I saw what was lying beneath my feet. Spotless greens lay far and wide but nearby, it was an empty cola bottle and wrappers of all things edible. It hurt.
My heart wasn’t ready to leave the little heaven but the mind knew that the concrete jungles were calling back. I negotiated and we squeezed in a drive through Khandala before heading back. Khandala, I felt was overrated but the chikki-town sure made a huge impact on me and I knew I had to visit again. And I did.
P.S.
I can’t take the risk of posting any pictures of us because I know I’ll get umpteen phone-calls from the two of them to delete the pictures when they realise how they looked back then. Also, my current profile picture will seem like brilliant Photoshop editing, which it is not. But, it was way back in 2007 and I was young and stupid.
This entry is a part of #MyTravelStory contest
P.S.
I can’t take the risk of posting any pictures of us because I know I’ll get umpteen phone-calls from the two of them to delete the pictures when they realise how they looked back then. Also, my current profile picture will seem like brilliant Photoshop editing, which it is not. But, it was way back in 2007 and I was young and stupid.
This entry is a part of #MyTravelStory contest
The ambiance of Lonavala captured beautifully with images and narration!
Thanks, Magic-Eye. Want to go there again though. Some places are worth a visit evey monsoon, don't you think?
Haven't been to Lonavla but love these green hills shrouded in mist.
It's a treat during the monsoons. 🙂
Have seen it only in Summer… need to visit post monsoon
Oh it is a completely different experience to visit during the monsoons. I have visited during the summer as well, but it is not even close to what it is during monsoons.
I like the hidden parts of Lonavala/Khandala, like Rajmachi…
Me too! Aren’t they like hidden gems of the place?
I was there in Pune for 2 years and must say there's so many places to go around. Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Kashid, Alibaug and so much more. Life was a bliss during those times :).
And with the monsoons and the clouds coming down as you have shown in one of your pics, the experience is altogether more amazing. Nice clicks :).
Same here, and that’s why I miss Pune so much. So many places nearby to visit. 🙂