Sep 24, 2006 07:05 PM
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This trip was weekend getaway type, short and sweet. Though it was planned, time was a little short cause I had to meet other deadlines.
Left home at 06:45(Pune) and after a halt of 15 minutes at the fueling station we were on our way to Karla Mtdc where I had my booking. Decided to take a different route rather than the obvious Pune-Mumbai Highway via Pimpri & Chinchwad or for that matter the Expressway. After leaving from home i.e Kondhwa we took Tilak road via Swargate and then onto F.C. road. We hit university circle in no time and then onto Baner road, here I faced a little bit of a rough patch cause of the flyover work.
Carried on this road through all the bends onto Dehu Road which hits the Katraj-Mumbai bypass, took a right here and got onto the three lane bypass. Super stretch of road, with a light shower on the windscreen, and ‘raindrops keep falling on my heads’ by B.J. thomas playing at full blast. We sang along till we hit the expressway turn, decided not to take the expressway and carried onto hit the pune-mumbai highway, just before Talegaon. Here you have to take a left and the good part of this bypass is that it clears you of all the trucks and early morning traffic if you go via Pimpri & Chinchwad.
The drive from home to the pune-mumbai highway via this bypass was 35 km on the speedo. We then carried on this newly done up road via Talegaon, Kamshet onto Karla.
Slow down one you reach Karla cause the Mtdc tuning comes up all of a sudden to your left, 65km on the speedo at this point. Clock said 08:15. beautiful drive and whats more important short and sweet. Overcast and the showers made it worthwhile.
We checked into the Mtdc, room # 38, right at the remote end, but loved the peace and quiet. Deposit of 200 which is refundable and 30 bucks tax. We had taken the cottage non a/c room which came for 750 per night sans meals. I liked the budget garden non a/c rooms as well for 600 a night for my future trips.
The rooms were cozy and neat, had two rooms and two balconies, bathrooms were neat. Well protected from mosquitoes by netting. Buildings were dilapidated but interiors were in good condition. Bedroom had a cupboard, dressing table and a large bed, 3 can easily fit. The drawing room had an extra bed and a sofa with peck tables and cable tv, so the kids were taken care of. We were famished so immediately drove down to the restaurant Indrani and had aanda bhurjee and paratha. Reasonably priced considering no other choice nearby. Only don’t order their toast butter, which comes for 40 bucks. Their curries are reasonable, mutton/chicken curries are about 60-65.
While you are there you could try out the dhabas in and around the highway, not bad.
Lonavala is about 7 km away where you can pick up your supply of chikkis and chocolate fudge. Don’t pick up from anyone other than the original Maganlal’s outlet on the otherside of the station, they have no branches. The chocolate fudges are the best and all the shops around the highway are fakes and make chocolate barfis.
While at lonavala drive down to Ins Shivaji and Tiger point, early morning to see the fog and then the sheer drop. Have a budget lunch at Kamat, south Indian snacks etc.
Don’t forget Bushi Dam towards the afternoon, there should be enough light, avoid this place in the late afternoons as it invariable gets late and then its dangerous.
On the last day I backtracked from MTDC towards pune and about 2 km away is the turning for Karla and Bhaja caves. Both similar and you need to drive another 2km before you hit the steps on foot. The carvings are beautiful though the place need to be better maintained. Bhaja is a better bet and the carvings are easily photographed.
Last afternoon was reserved for relaxing and so we headed for the waterpark at the MTDC itself. Small and nice, 100 per head and the kids had a ball but don’t forget to take along your costumes.
ONE LAST THING YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN VEHICLE HERE CAUSE THE MTDC RESORT IS PRETTY BIG AND WALKING AROUND CAN BE TIRING.
