Jul 05, 2011 11:35 PM
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Went to mahabaleshwar this june with my family btw june 17-19. We decided to be a little experimental this time and instead of a regular resort we booked sai villa which is in metugad about 4 kms before the main market area.
Had paid the advance etc so was confident of the booking and services. Decided o start early morning at 5.30 am from mumbai( chembur). Had taken my baby( swift vxi) and fuelled her up a night prior only. So as planned we left at 5.40 am ist. It was a rainy day and I quite liked the idea of driving in the rain but was prayin for better weathet post pune. Took the mumbai - pune expressway route onward to wai. This was a safer route and I quite like the drive on the expressway- hasslefree.
We reached the first pit stop, the toll naka at the expressway before the ghats. Reached there at about 6.50am. Had nice hot coffe and then began to drive. Then passed the expressway on to the pune satara highway. The weather had cleared by then. Took the right at surror onwards to wai. After the ghats we reached panchgani at roung 10am. We stopped for some nice cutting chai at a vendor and straightened our backs and welcomed the cool n pleasant climate. Within the next half an hour we drove down to our final point SAI VILLA. Stopped for 2mins to grab a bhutta at bhillar waterfall. Signboards were clear and we took the right after swiss country and in no time I cud see sai villa red bungalow. The doggie marshall started barking and we were greeted with two smiling faces.
We had been alloted the two rooms on the first floor. The rooms were neat n clean with a lot of plastic covering all the items that cud be affected by the moisture. Met mrs dantale and she helped us feel comfortable. It was rainy day. Had poha for breakfast and went to see the venna lake in the afternoon and then onwards to mtdc resorts for a nice local n very homely lunch. Quite like mtdc and have stayed there twice. The food just is too amazing( non veg). Tried our luck a t the poker machines and other games next to the lake in the evening. The wind was too stronmg so there was no boating activity.
Evening we went to mapro far, s and had the much hyped strwberry icecream n shakes. must try. We decided to spend some time in the villa and the weather forced us inside. Was praying for some clear skies and to our luch the sun was shinning at 9am next morning. Without wasting any time and using my info collected from past visits and google maps drove to kates point and onwards to old mahabaleshwar via the old duchees road, what grennery. Awesome . Saw a few points like elphistone, savuitri, monkey, The clouds began to move in. Saw the beautiful and old temples of mahableshwar and atibaleshwar. Was snack time so we all attached the wada pav vendor outside the templle. It began to rain and the misal was tasting even better. Thenhad a chance to go and visit the lingamaya falls. simply amazing. The water was just too cols. the trk down is very slippery and dangerous but its worth it.
Went to lunch to baggecha which is again much hyped about place. HAve a ala carte food. I enjoyed the bhakris and corn subzi while my wife settled with poor bhaaji. DO try the desserts.the icecream was better than mapro. We headed to the villa and relaxed for a while. Had nice evening tea in the sit out area admiring the lovely view. Marshall wanted to play football so I dint wanna dissapoint him.
Evening was time to hit the market for some chilli shopping and local tp. THe market was full of hustle n bustle. Got the car washed in the parking lot.the white baby had become red due to the red soil. The wewther was nice n cool with the clouds all around. It started raining by evening. The visibility dropped terrible and I was driving with all my lights on. Once we crossed the lake the vivibility improved. We had dinner at the gulistan dhaba. Nothing very greta except for the yellow dal n wheat rotis.
Next morning we packed up and were reaady to say bye to the villa when we met mr dantale who started speaking to me as if we were long lost friends. Very informativen and a true gentleman, finally we bid adios to Mr dantale at around 11.30am. We stopped at panchagani to see table land and sydnety point. spent about an hour before beginning the ride to wai and pune. Stopped at the cafe coffe day before khed tollnaka. Then onto the expressway and halted at the food plaza after khandala.
Relished Datt wada pav and u have to c to believe the lines. Finally began the last lap which is onto panvel where the expressway ended. Took te cut from cbd onto palm beach road. Was home by 5.30pm.
Was a lovely trip to sum it up. Odometer read 667kms and it was a 60hr round trip. Mahabaleshwar is a place where people of all ages can have their share of fun n relaxation.
