Aaati Kya Khandala ???

Sticking to our schedule of weekend excursions, this weekend we had planned to shoot off to Lonavala and Khandala. Before coming to pune, many have talked volumes about this place, specially the Express Highway that connects Mumbai and Pune and I had to agree that they were being modest.

On a day when weather is on your side, the entire trip could be lot more worth than the effort you'd put. The entire sight of the highway right from pune to lonavala makes you doubt if you're really in India. Yeah, specially in India where the word 'express' is abused so much that it has lost its actual meaning, the express-highway was true to its name and you can see cars zooming by at a breathtaking speeds of more than 120kmph.(the pic above was shot at that speed)

After reaching Lonavala, we realized that there werent enough spots to watch. That left us quite disappointed, specially when we had no intentions returning back before late in the night.

Anyway tried to make the most of what we had and we spent quite some time at the Bhushi dam, where we trekked all the way up to the waterfall point and in the process, I did manage to escape a serious downfall with minor bruises on the palm, an injured ankle and an aching rib. Photography can be dangerous and had learnt it the hard way :(.

Then we shot off to another hilltop point where we could get a clear view of the nearby places through a telescope. This was where a tattoo artist convinced me that I'd look hip with a tattoo and I thought it was worth a shot specially when it wasnt a permanent one ;). So finally ended up with this one. Seems to be quite mystic but i guess the only time that is seen when i take my bath as I go to office with full sleeves and there's no way anyone can watch it. Anyway ...atleast I could fulfill one of my very desires.

Then off we went to Khandala, which was pretty close to Lonavala. There is this spot, popularly called as "Shooting spot" and the sight was astounding. Suddenly I felt some strange connection with the nature and many thoughts mocking our daily lives filled my mind which almost took over me. During all this, I had to sedulously avoid the desire to wander near the cliff, coz all it needed was one step to reach heaven ( yeah..I'm pretty much sure about that destination ;) ).

We spent some time sitting and playing "Who can throw the farthest" till rain forced us to get back into the car.

Strictly in confidence, with every jaunt, life seems to be more than worth living and a sense of gratitude arises for the almighty, for his wonderful creation and for having given me an opportunity to explore it.

This is one hobby, I would want to keep it for my lifetime.

Amen !!!

Click the link to view the slideshow of the snaps I've taken.