जग जुने

नाणे ऩॉटांच्या पुढे,
वसते एक जग जुने.
दिसले ते ज्यास जीथे,
मार्ग जगण्याचा सापडे.

नसे ते सोपे जरी,
अशक्य मुळीच न्हवे.
कस लागते जराशी,
बस वाट शोधण्यास रे.

श्वास विश्वासांचे,
तिथे हात आधारांचे.
जिथे ऩाहीसे होतील,
अंतर मना मनांचे.

नाणे ऩॉटांच्या पुढे,
वसते एक जग जुने.
दिसले ते ज्यास जीथे,
मार्ग जगण्याचा सापडे.

- By Alpana A Satam

The Soil & The Seed

Once upon a time
It was plain ground.
Fullfilled with soil,
So fertile n sound.

Fell in it a seed,
From somwhere apart.
Soil never judged,
what creed it was.

God showered the rains
Whose drops soil caught.
Seed fed on it,
With full freedom thought.

Slowly seed twig out,
Sweet stems & little leaves.
So happy the soil,
Continued to feed.

Showers went on,
And favoured the breeze.
Branched out of soil,
The seed to become a Tree.

Deep inside itself,
The soil baby sat the roots.
Holding so tight,
The tree till its roof.

For a wood cutter,
Goofed up the tree.
Sold off it self,
A wooden temple to be.

Safe felt the tree,
It wanted to be divine.
But opposed the soil,
It felt the turmoil.

Soon came the cutter,
And went the tree apart,
Dug thru the soil,
Its Bark & roots depart.

Whats next to be?
Will the soil be the same?
Will it feed the roots?
For the tree to grow again?

Amen!

- By Alpana A Satam.

Tripuri Poornima

आज त्रिपुरी पूर्णिमा.
हे मला संध्याकाळ पर्यंत माहित न्हवत. संध्याकाळी बाहेर बसलेलो तेव्हा छाया काकी वाती बनवत होत्या. तब्बल ७५० वाती. आज म्हणे ७५० वाती चे दिवे लावतात. मला माहित न्हव्ते. आम्ही कधीच लावल्या नहित. आणि छाया काकी हे हि म्हणाल्या कि आज स्त्रियांनी कार्तिक देवाचे दर्शन घ्यावे. वर्ष भरात आजचा एकाच दिवस असतो, कि स्त्रीयांना कार्तिक देवाच्या देवळात जाऊन दर्शन घेणे allowed असते. का ते माहित नाही.

त्रिपुरी पूर्णिमा वरून मला आमच्या office मधला जयेश आठवला. तोः एकदा म्हणाला होता कि त्यांच्या घरी कंदील त्रिपुरी पूर्णिमे पर्यंत लावतात. आणि आज कलाले कि सगळ्यान कडेच कंदील आज च्या दिवसा पर्यंत लावतात :)

थोडे google केल्या वर कळले की -

१) आज शंकराने त्रिपुरासुर नावाच्या राक्षस चा वध केला होता. का ? कारण -
it seems - त्रिपुरासुराने शंकराची तपस्या करून आशीर्वाद घेतला आणि तीन शहर बांधली सोना चांदी आणि लोखंड ची. त्रिपुरासुर खूप शक्तिशाली झाली आणि सगळ्या मानव जाती ला आणि देवांना त्रास देऊ लागला, मारू लागला. म्हणून ब्रम्हा आणि विष्णु ने शंकरा कडेच धाव घेतली. तेव्हा शंकराने तीन दिवस लढाई करून त्रीपुरासुराला मारले. तोः म्हणजे आजचा दिवस - कार्तिक महिन्यातल्या पूर्णिमेचा :)

२) म्हणून काही भागात आज देव दिवाळी असे हि म्हणतात.

३) आज तुळशी लग्नाचा शेवटचा दिवस

४) आणि कार्तिक महिन्या चा आज शेवटचा दिवस. म्हणून आज कार्तिक पूर्णिमा असा हि म्हणतात

संध्याकाळी छाया काकींनी दिवे लावले तेव्हाचे फोटो मी कद्ले. मस्त आले आहेत.

 

Kaas Pathar & Bamnoli - Switzerland of Maharashtra

21st Sep 2013: 

गेले बरेच वर्ष मी कास पठारा बद्दल ऐकत होते. न्यूस पेपर मध्ये वाचत होते. किती तरी internet sites आणि blogs वर कास पठार / plateau चे photos पाहत आले. सातारा मध्ये आहे कास पठार. आणि UNESCO ने  WORLD HERITAGE SITE म्हणून पण declare केले आहे ह्या जागेला. And its also called Switzerland in महाराष्ट्र.  

उत्तर भारतात उत्तराखंड मध्ये "Valley Of Flowers" म्हणून हिमालयात चामोली, जोशी मठ जवळ एक १७ km चा trek असतो. हा ट्रेक पण मला कधी पासून करायचा आहे. But उतरखंड च्या ह्या वर्षी च्या पावसाळ्यातल्या ढग फुटी / पूर disaster मुळे ती site आणि तिथे जाणारे रस्ते आता खंडित झालेले आहे. आता ते पूर्वरूप व्हायला काही वर्ष जातील. 

असो. तोपर्यंत आपण आपल्या जवळच असलेल्या महाराष्ट्रात ल्या "Valley Of Flowers" म्हणजे "कास पठार" तरी पाहू. 

म्हणून मी कामण गड च्या ट्रेक नंतर पासून Amol आणि बाकी Deccan Hikers group च्या पाठी लागले होते की next weekend KAAS PLATEAU plan करा. 

ऑगस्ट end ते ऑक्टोबर end ह्या काळात कास पठारा वर खूप फुलं फुलतात. अणि माझे ह्या वर्षी season वर बरोबर लक्ष होते. So आधी 14th Sep ठरली, आणि मग ती cancel होऊन 21 Sep ठरली आणि final झाली. 

जाणारे confirm members म्हणजे फक्त 

१ मी 

२ अमोल आणि 

३ राहुल 

So बाकी कुणी येवो न येवो …. आम्ही तिघे तर जाणारच होतो. जाण्या चे साधन … as always माझी नेहमीची हमसफर RITZ :) आणि drive करणारे आम्ही तिघेही होतोच. 

आमचा आधी २ days चा plan होता आणि आम्ही 

१ कास पठार 

२ सज्जन गड 

३ बामणोली 

etc...  करणार होतो. But नंतर राहुल ची बायको - अंकिता add झाली आणि तिला Sunday la college ला जाणे mandatory होते. So आम्ही फक्त १ day चा प्लान केला … आणि फक्त 

१ कास पठार 

२ बामणोली 

करायचे ठरवले. 20th Sep Friday night ला १२am ला निघायचे आणि Saturday night परत यायचे.  

After a hectic day @office on Friday, I reached home at 10pm. त्या नंतर सगळी packing केली, ११ ते ११.४५ जरा एक झोप काढली आणि निघले १२ वाजताच. 

1. 12.05am start from Govandi
2. 12.15am pick up Amol
3. 1.15am Reached Belapur (Old road ला आम्हाला खूप traffic लागला नेरूळ नंतर. So return घेऊन नेरूळ वरून Palm Beach join केला आणि around १.१५ am राहुल च्या घर कडे आलो. )
4. 1.30am Belapur Start (राहुल ने विचारले की मी drive करू का, but I wanted to experience the drive till Kaas Pathar. So I continued.)
5. 45 mins Break at Food Plaza Pune Exp Way
6. 20-30mins Break at Khambhatki Ghat for Photography
7. 6am reached Johi Vihir (30kms prior to Satara) - Break at a friend Chandan's House
8. 6.15am - 7.30am Time spent at Chandan's house (We didnt wanted to spend time in breakfast here, but we didnt notice when time passed in photography and masti with Chandan's nephew Atharva there)
9. Again 45mins break again for breakfast. (The service was really slow at that hotel)
10. 9.45am  - Reached Kaas Pathar.

इतक्या लांबचा पल्ला मी पहिल्यांदाच गाठला होता. न झोपता drive of ३००km one side. Was testing myself ;-) म्हणजे पुढच्या वेळी कोकणात गावी जाताना मी आणि माझा भाऊ अमेय आळी पाळी ने drive करून जाऊन शकू  :)

NH ४ वर इतके tolls आहेत but एकदा मुंबई पुणे Exp way संपला, की पुढे रस्त्याची ची condition toll आकारणी च्या मानाने खूप बेकार आहे. रात्री १००-१२०+ च्या स्पीड ने जाताना अचानकच खड्डा येतो, जागो जागी diversions आहेत. आणि मग तर diversion वाला रस्ता इतक्या खड्यात आहे कि २nd पण नाही, तुम्हाला 1st गेयर वरच गाडी काडावी लागते. माझ्या गाडीने खूप shocks खाल्लेत. I am highly disappointed with the NH4 condition from pune to satara. 

Satara to Kaas pathar drive amazing hoti. तो एक घाटच आहे but ok types. रस्त्या ची condition छान आहे. मस्त डांबरी रस्ता आहे. वर जाताना छान हिरवळ सुरु होते. अजिंक्य तारा गड दिसतो. साताऱ्याचा छान panoramic view दिसतो. पावसाळ्यात वाटेत छोटे water falls पण तयार होतात. But आम्ही जाताना मध्ये थांबलोच नाही. आधीच खूप वेळ घालवला होता. So येताना Stops घाय्चे ठरले. 

कास पठारावर खूप लोक आले होते. बर्याच buses गाड्या bikes  … बरीच गर्दी होती. प्रत्येक वयोगटाचे लोक होते, अगदी शाळेत ल्या trip साठी आलेल्या लहान मुलं, कॉलेज मधली couples, families ते वायो वृद्ध retired people. 

When we reached, I saw the first glimpse of Kaas Pathar. There was fencing all around the road and I could see voilet, pink, white, yellow colors all around. मस्त थंड गार हवा सुटली होती. खूप थंडी वाजत होती. हलक ऊन पडला होता. Weather was simply perfect. पण काही दिवसा पूर्वीच कास मध्ये खूप पाऊस पडून गेला होता, म्हणून ठिक ठिकाणी चिखल झालेला. 

आम्ही आमची हत्त्यार काडलीत (म्हणजे SLR कॅमेरा, Telephoto Zoom lens आणि macro filters) आणि कामाला लागलो. मस्त पैकी photography ची हौस मौज करून घेतली. It was a perfect place for it. मन भरून photography केली. 

आम्हाला main पठार area मध्ये एकंदरीत ८-१० फुलांचे प्रकारच दिसलेत. तिथे फुलणाऱ्या सगळ्या प्रकार ची फुल बघायला आपल्याला ऑगस्ट ते ऑक्टोबर परत परत फेर्या माराव्या लागतील. एकाच वेळी सगळ्या प्रकार ची फुल फुलत नहित. सध्या असलेली फुल कॅमेर्यात वेग वेगळ्या angle ने टिपून घेतलीत. शरीरात थकवा जाणवत.. though overnight driving and no sleep had  drained the energy , but the enthusiasm and flowers around kept us charged up. 

फुलांची वेग वेगळ्या angle मध्ये फोटो काढताना फोटोग्राफर स्वतः किती funny angles मध्ये pose देतो ह्याची तर तीथे जणू competition होती. It was a nice comedy show for the non-photographers. It was really funny to see the people clicking pics, especially the ones which had professional cameras. And I agree, that Amol, Rahul and Myself were also one of those. कारण ती सगळी फुल इतकी लहान आणि कमी उंचीची असतात की तुम्हाला बसून, वाकून, झोपून, लोळून … फोतोस काढावे लागतात  :)

Click here to See the Flowers on KAAS Plateau

But Kaas Plateau is a PHOTOGRAPHERS' PARADISE. Its a MUST VISIT for a photographer and a Nature Lover. And I am both :)

१२. ३० च्या सुमारास पोटात कावळे ओरडू लागल्या वर आम्ही निघालो. पार्किंग अरेअ पासून पुढे … कास तालाव च्या दिशेने छोटी हॉटेल्स आहेत. तीथे variety कमी आहे. पण मराठी माणसाला रुजेल असे जेवण आणि पदार्थ तिथे नक्कीच आहेत - पिठलं भाकरी, गरम गरम कांदा भाजी, मिसळ पाव, भेल … एक वाडीलाल ice cream ची गाडी पण होती तिथे. 

पण कास पठार वर एक खूप मोठा प्रोब्लेम आहे …. तो म्हणजे - There are No Toilets on the entire plateau. पूर्ण पठार सपाट आहे. जिथे तिथे लोक ./ गाड्या / कॅमेरे … Its really difficult for women :)

असो. तर आम्ही तिथे कांदा भाजी, पिठलं भाकरी आणि मिसळ पाव खाल्ला आणि तिथून बामणोली ला निघालो. इथून गाडी राहुल ने चालवायला घेतली.

वाटेत कास तलाव आम्ही लांबूनच पहिले. 

कास ते बामणोली हा घाट रस्ता आणखीन सुंदर आहे. कास च्या दुसऱ्या बाजूने तो रस्ता खाली उतरतो. रस्ता एक गाडी जाईल इतकाच आणि खूप जास्त वळणदार आहे. सारखी वळणं … नागमोडी सारखा तो संपूर्ण घाट आहे. घाट उतरतानाच आपल्याला बामणोली चे "शिवसागर तलाव" दिसू लागते. That view of the lake surrounded by hills in 3 sides is very beautiful. तो घाट उतरताना आम्हाला थोड्या वेळा साठी पाऊस लागला. 

इथून आपल्याला बोटिंग करून वेग वेगळ्या ठिकाणी जाता येतं. मुख्यत खालील:

१) वासोटा किल्ला 

२) त्रिवेणी संगम (कोयना, सोळशी आणि कनदाटी नद्याचं संगम) 

३) तापोळा (which is also called mini Kashmir)

आम्ही इथून त्रिवेणी संगम ची boat ride घेतली. It costs us Rs.450 and it was a peaceful ride. चारी बाजूंचा नजारा इतका सुंदर होता … surrounded by hills… त्या डोंगरां वर पिवळ्या फुलांच्या गादया… शिखरांवर ढगांचे मुकुट … अस्मानात ढगातून आपली वाट काढत येणारी संध्या काळची हलकी सुर्य किरणे … समुद्र एवढी उंच नसली तरी पाण्या वर हव्याने निर्माण होणार्या त्या रेखीव लाटा… त्यावर चमकणारी लालसर सुर्य किरणे, त्यात मधेच पाण्यात असलेली उंच झाडे आणि त्या मधून बोटीतून प्रवास करणारे आम्ही … बोटी च्या वेग वेगळ्या कोपर्यात आम्ही चौघे बसलो होतो… शांतपणे त्या नाजार्याला कॅमेर्यात कैद करत… तर कधी नुसता एक टक बाहेर बघत होतो. 

Click here to see Beautiful Bamnoli

त्रिवेणी संगम च्या ठिकाणी काही वेळ बोट थांबून ठेवली. तिथे खूप शांतता होती. फक्त पाण्याची खळखळ. Midst of heavy waters of 3 rivers... surrounded by greenest hills, covered by clouds over and filled by the setting sunlight. That evening, that time was pure and it was serene. Loved those few mins.. that 4 of us spent there.. intentionally... w/o uttering a sound or talking to each other...neither clicking any pics, we simply absorbed  the views and experience the peace and silence. 

Then back to the port and started our return journey at 4.30pm from Bamnoli. परत जाताना राहुलनीच गाडी चालवली. बामणोली ते कास पठार चा तो घाट चडत असताना आम्हाला ४. ३० pm सुमारासच दाट धुकं लागला. रस्ता खूप वळणदार आणि narrow, त्यात धुकं … म्हणून एकदम हळू हळू गाडी काढली राहुल ने. वाटेत कास ला पोचायच्या आधी आम्हाला एक गाव लागले … तीथे आम्हाला एक भारीच पिवळ्या फुलांची चादर दिसली. म्हणून आम्ही गाडी तिथे थांबवली आणि परत photography ला लग्लो. ते कारळाच्या फुलांचे शेत होते. शेती चा मालकाचा मुलगा तिथे आला आणि आम्हाला पैसे मागू लागला… मी त्याला मग एक muffin दिला … खुश झाला तो. आणि आम्ही परत आमच्या वाटेला लग्लो. 

कास तलाव, कास पठार हे दोन्ही दुख्यात होते आता . संध्या काळी ५. १५ pm ला पण तिथे बरीच लोक होती. कास पठार क्रॉस करतानाच सुसाट पाऊस सुरु झाला त्यात धुकं …. मग जसे डोंगर खाली उतरत होतो तसा पाऊस गेला आणि धुकं ही गेला. 

साताऱ्या कडचा घाट उतरताना एका point ला जीथे संपूर्ण शहर दिसते तिथे आम्ही थांबलो आणि ठरल्या प्रमाणे photography सुरु केली. तिथे आम्हाला अजून काही नवीन प्रकार ची फुलं ही दिस्लीत. 

Photography चा हा शेवटचा stop. आणि finally ६ pm ला आम्ही destination MUMBAI चा प्रवास सुरु केला. वाटेत NH४ लागल्यावर ७pm च्या सुमारास आम्ही RAIGAD INN ला एक quick tea/snacks break घेतला आणि निघालो. 

सगळेच थकलो होतो. झोप न्हवती. राहुल ने मुंबई पुणे exp way सुरु झाल्या वर काही वेळाने RISK ANALYSIS केले :) आणि call घेतला की he should not drive more now. त्याच्या डोळ्या वर झोपेने झापड यॆत होती. मला अजून तरी अगदी पेंगावा अशी झोप यॆत न्हवती. म्हणून मग EXP way var लोणावळा च्या आधी एका जागी आम्ही गाडी side ला थांबवली आणि मी steering seat परत घेतली and the journey resumed. 

Return journey was like below:

6pm from satara

7pm break at Raigad INN

9.41pm started on Mumbai Pune EXP way

10.50pm back to Belapur

त्या नंतर पुढे मी आणि अमोल बेलापूर मधेच पाव भाजी खाऊन, मग अमोल ला कुर्ल्याला सोडून …. मी १२.३० ला घरी पोचले. 

And A BUSY BEAUTIFUL NON STOP 24hrs journey of 600kms came to an end and one TO SEE destination ticked mark on my list. 

How did I made it to a Mercedes Benz 'A' Class Test Drive :)

Early last month in July once I started from home for office in my car. My phone was connected on Bluetooth speaker device and I was talking to a friend while driving. There came a call on waiting. I asked my friend to hang up. The waiting call got attended and heard the voice of a typically call center type "Hello Mam"... shay... thought of hanging up the call, but just then he completed the sentence saying that he was calling from Mercedes Benz!

Mercedes Benz??? Really? "Whats up?" I said to myself. In that few seconds firstly I thought did I win anything in some contest?
I had participated in Dynamic 1 contest... but that was of BMW...
So why is he calling me???

The call proceeded... myself-" yes tell me"
MB associate - "Mam I am calling from Mercedes Benz. Are you interested a Test Drive?"
Me in my mind - Test Drive? Direct test drive sathi vichartoy.. sahiye..
Me to him - Hmm yes.. sure.
MB Associate - Sure mam.. we have A B  C D.. and he A class is beginning @29lacs only and we give great finances with only 5 lac down payment... bla bla bla bla bla...
Me - ok
MB Associate - bla bla bla bla
Me (while I am driving) - ok.. ok... ok...
MB Associate - So mam which model would like to test drive?
Me - aaahh... am not sure... [I was not even aware of all the models and which one shud I be asking for]

He himself said that he will arrange for A class. I said OK.
He mentioned that an associate will be assigned and he will call back for the test drive And I can call the car at my residence or office.
Huh!
I said OK. And the call ended.

From Nowhere.. don't know from where.. I got this call. I had never made any inquiry for MB. Only thing I have liked its page on Fb.
Whatever.. from wherever... but I was happy, that one call made by mood and my day. I spent the remaining of day in its thoughts and its talks in office.

Days passed, but I didnt receive any call. The hope of MB test drive started setting down. And in some days I forgot about it.

Then one fine day in July 2nd last week, I was at my desk working. And  at around 12pm I received a call. I saw the number was unknown, and actualy thought of missing it. But still somehow I attended that call.

And! there it goes... - "hello Mam, I am Rohit Sharma from MB Auto Hanger Prabhadevi, and I am assigned as spoc for you. You had asked for a test drive, right mam. So please let me know where do you want to have it?"

Me - Aaahhh!!!! hmmm... hmmmm .... OMG! (in my mind)

Me - yes yes I had asked. I do want to have a test drive, but I will get back to you.

Mb Associate - Ok mam. nps. I will sms you my number, you can either come to our showroom or I will get the car where you wish.

Me -ok sure...

Call ended.

I was surprised... how come these guys are calling me. And I had heard that we have to show our bank balance etc... even for a test drive..
I really felt lucky. Aray aisa mauka fir kaha milega...

Days passed. This opportunity stayed at the back of my mind. I was busy delivering releases @office.. :)

Many a times I thought ... calling the car near office or at residence wud not be good. Prabhadevi jaake hi dekhna padega... But shud I? Or shud I just let it be...

After my sign off of current release I was on leave for one day.. that day also I thought that I shud materialize that opportunity by going to Prabhadevi... but I didnt do it.

Sometimes I also thought as to whom shud I take with me. I wanted the test drive to be video shot.

But just thoughts came in and went out... thats it...

Then in Aug first week, we went to Bhimshankar Trip with hewitt katta group. In that Chandu or someone spoke about taking test drive. And we spoke more about it...

Post that thought came to my mind.. that - Opportunity has already knocked on my phone and I am turning my deaf ears to it!!! ??

Like they say... Mercedes Benz  mathe par Tilak lagane ki rah dekh rahi hai.. aur main muh dhone main busy hu :p

Hmm.... I did realize that I should not let this opportunity go.

Then approached my B'day... on 8 Aug.. And I go to Siddhi Vinayak every year on my Bday.

There it struck me... and As I am already going to Prabhadevi... I should go to Auto hanger...
And which else can be a better day other than ones bday... to Test Drive Mercedes Benz...

So on 7Aug.. in office.. I thought a lot.. again and agian.. and finally gave a call to that Rohit Sharma... And spoke to him...

He was very welcoming. He was very positive and boosted me. I felt better actually, and got a little confidence. In my mind I had complex though the inferior one ;-) ....

In that call he no where spoke or asked my about intention of buying... that was strange and interesting...
I asked him if I have to get any of my documents ... like salary slips or bank stmts..he said just get your driving license... he will TRY to arrange a test drive...

Hmm... that TRY word was upsetting... :( ... anyways.. atleast I would get to see the car how it is.. if not test drive...

Also.. I asked him to sms me the address. He said that he will email me the complete brochure. so I had to sms him my email id. So I did.

After that the whole day went really busy at office. I forgot abt MB and also forgot that next day was my bday.

By EOD, after I reached home, all these thoughts came back to my mind. I wondered that this guy didnt sms me the address. Is he fooling around with me. Chod yaar... wo samaj gaya hoga.. ki yeh lene wali toh hai nahi.. isko khali test drive chahiye :) So may be he didnt bother to send the details to me.

But still with hope I opened Gmail. I scrolled down through plenty unread emails... and to my pleasant surprise there was a mail. He had kept his words.. and he had emailed me the price list and brochure.

I realize that I am only making a big deal of this in my mind. While that guy so far had behaved and treated me like any other customer.
But I didnt check that brochure that night, I was busy attending calls of my bday wishes.

That night I was a bit holded... and conscious... about the fact that next morning I have committed to goto Auto Hanger Mercedes Showroom....
Even going in MBs showroom was far big thing for me... and Test Drive!!! Huh... that would be beyond my thoughts...
But it was going to happen... it was planned already...

Mala dadpan aala hota... As to etki mahagdi gaadi test drive karna... is that a right decision...
I thought to my self.. if its a good decision to test drive such an expensive car.. just for the sake of satisfaction...

What if anything goes wrong... can I handle it? Hmm.... but still non of these thoughts were strong enuf to change my decision.

Next day Mom was going to come with me to Siddhi Vinayak I asked to wear a good saree... :) for myself also I thought that I shud atleast look presentable.. ..should not look stupid....
I dont know ... but at the back of my mind... I was very conscious of going to MB showroom.

The Day arises... 8Aug.

I had informed them that I will come by 10-1030. But, I started from home at 10am...

Before leaving, I sat on my comp and went thru the brochures and price list. I thought to myself that at least to look or pretend that I am a serious buyer I shud know something about the model I am going to see.

Post that we started. I was driving. I was again thinking that a normal customer who shud be buying would check same segment ke other models, of other makes. Would know about it. But I didnt know anything.
Just then on Fm.. came the BMW X1 ka ad... they were advertising BMW x1 for 22 lacs ka price...
and I heard that ad carefully :)

Good... I got some more info. I was surprised... MB A class 29lacs... and BMW X1 at 22lacs??? so much diff... that gave me something to talk about and make myself look like a serious buyer  :-p
My confidence bumped up.

This shows how much of a Big Deal it was for me... to Enter a MB Showroom, and take a test drive..

While on the way driving to Siddhi Vinayak with my mom... again s3 was connected to bluetooth speaker.. and the phn rang.. it was Rohit Sharma.. asking when I was going to come. I informed that I m running late and would come by 1130 12pm.

I faced a lot of traffic. My left leg is aching very badly now... continuous clutch and break... it took me 1.5 hrs from Govandi to reach Siddhi Vinayak.

Then at around 12.45 I started from SiddhiVinayak. I check the route to Auto Hanger on maps and kept the navigation mode on and started.

Hmm... Finally... came the showroom. I parked my Ritz... and entered the show room.

I noticed ... that the receptionist and other staff was very welcoming. My Mom had a more complex than me. But by now.. I was pretty fine... Infact one of my friend prev night had given me a tip.. that I should go and talk as if its just another car.. ;-)

So I was fine by now...

Rohit Sharma finally came. We were asked for Tea coffee or cold drinks... but we had only water... I atleast drank water.. my mom didnt even drink water...

After a bit exchange of words with Rohit we proceeded to the Car. I took my mom too ...

O mann.... and there I saw.. MB A classs.... what a car man... He asked me to sit inside on the driver seat. I did. I asked my Mom to sit behind. She also did.  Rohit sat on the navigators seat and started explaning me.

When I put my hands on the steering.. my left hand automatically went to gears... and right then Rohit said.. - Mam this has no gears...

Me - Oh! ya.. so this one is Auto Transmission...

Rohit - Mam all MBs are Auto Transmissions...

Me - Oh! ok. :-P

He continued to explain me features of the car... I listened carefully. I never knew how a auto transmission works.. and on the top of that MB had so much functions.. so many buttons..

Just WOW...

I learnt the Park, Drive and Reverse modes.. I took good KT from him while mom sat on the back seat with hesitation :)

I told him tat it would be first time that i would be switching from Manual to auto transmission car.. so I am not aware.

Rohit.. treated me well. He explained me all features. He never till in any interactions disrespected or ill treated me. He never made me feel small... though I myself had the feeling in my mind.

I  loved the electronic mirror adjusts, seats n steering electronic adjusts.. plus 4 setting of all these mirror+steering+seat cud be stored, in case more than one person drives the car.

My eyes went on the speedometer... which showed numbers till 260...!!!!

He showed me that even the head lights has a sprinkler. So when we start the windscreen sprinkler the headlights also get cleaned...

The security features were also over... expectations...

And above all.. what he said... this car constantly monitors the driver... and if it detects that the driver is feeling sleepy then the coffee mug icon on the screen increases in size...

About the features I cant stop writing... beyond my imagination.

Then I asked him if I can take a video... he said surely I can... :) And here is the video.
Watch Mercedes Benz A Class

Also... the key of MB was like a USB pen drive...

the boot space was superb...

N it seems INTL stds... dont give spare wheel, but these ppl give. I was like.. OK... generally stepny toh hoti hi hai na... then he said.- No mam.. in premium cars a free extra tyre is never given.. but we do give with A class.

Me - Hmmmm .....ok....

Then I asked him about services... l asked bout free services kitna hai and kitna kms main...

He - No mam in any premiums cars u never get free services.. you have to pay for it...

Me - O... ok.

He - yes mam. so the first svc will be generally recommended at 1yr or 15k kms...

Me - and how much is the cost

He - at around 22k.

Me - ok... (as if its a pretty small amt :P )

Me- ok... fine... so shall we proceed for the test drive.?

He - yea sure...

And there we go... My mom was not ready to come... but I forced her to come. I could never allow my mom to miss this chance.

I took the key in my hand. Silver Colored MB  A 180 diesel was waiting outside for me :)

I was tensed...worried that now its peek time... and there would be lot of traffic outside .. and this was right in the middle of the city in Prabha Devi...
But it was a courage...that I did... took the risk of still test driving a expensive premium car...in peek hrs in Mumbai at Prabhadevi

I started the car. I knew I can do it.. its not a big deal.. just that I was worried that how far ahead does the cars bonet goes.. so that I know if its going to touch anyting or not...
Suprisingly it didnt have front sensors... so while entering I took a look at the lenght of the front bonet.. ..

Then finally, the drive started.

Mom was sitting behind. And Rohit besides.

I started pretty slow. Carefully took the car outside on the busy prabhadevi roads. Bahar nikalte hi signal tha. We went straight.

While driving he started explaining me the features again, and I was actually experimenting them. I was pleased and impressed at every point.

The ease and simplicity of driving. The peace in traffic.. due the thoroughly insulated cabin. The comfortable seat... its Eco mode... its Hold mode... its sports mode... its paddle shift gears...its reverse.. hai ram...
I am impressed. in my mind.. I was on and on with WOW.. WOW... WOW... Oh! Oh! Oh!...

slowly when I got the grip... I increased the speed... but didnt go over 60 I guess..
waise bhi waha per traffic etna tha..

I didnt realize when aournd 20mins passed and we were back in the showroom... safely...yea...

Then He came with the price list again... he again showed me the B class and C class...

B class and A class are same look alikes... just that
B class is chair seat, more of utility car... more boot space than A class
A class is bucket seat, more of sports car, cheaper by 1 lac.

I like B calss more.

C class and above were sedans...

Finally he asked me by when can I call you back? I said I will take over a month ... I have just started checking the cars... wil take some time :)

And with this I exited the showroom... with great pleasure and highs... I came back to grounds.. crossed the road to see my Ritz waiting for me :)

Back to the reality .. I was in my Maruti Suzuki Ritz... shifting manual gears... adjusting the mirrors with my hands ...pushng the seat back and forth.. :P

What a day!

Natureful Songiri

Just now after watching the pics shared by Rahul, I felt like writing the blog. He has captured the entire trek so well and so beautifully... that I am back into trans mode re-ascending Songiri :)

Yes. Songiri is a small hill in Karjat area near Palasdari. Nevali is its base village. As always Amol found it out and rest of us followed. I called it a small hill, because it took us 3hrs to ascend it and reach the top. And 3hrs for DHs meaning for a normal person it will be 1.5hrs... :P that is because DHs do a lot of time pass in photography and ascend very slowly :) And this time it was a loss of stamina as well. So it was slowers than the usual ascend. 

22nd Jun 2013:

So, I want to jump directly to the treking experience because I was very doubtful about my own stamina this time as I have put on weight and my BAU/routine involves 0 physical activity. So I am a total fatigue person now.. since last yr the time I have moved to LnT Powai workplace.

With all enthusiasm as always, I did my packing after reaching home on Friday night. And found that I am not able to find my rain jacket. So I pinged on HewittKatta and DH whatsApp grps and finally got one from Abhijeet. By the time I completed my packing it was 2am. And then I tried sleeping after putting the alarm on for 4am. 

I didnt know when I slept, until I heard my phone ringing 15mins earlier than the Alarm time I had set. I was surprised to see Reshma calling up. I attended and heard her voice almost after more than a yr. She was coming for the trek this time and she wanted shoes. I said I have it, and she was suppose to reach my home by 5am, and it was 3.45am now. 

Anyways, she had already woken me up, and I didnt went back to sleep, and started to get ready. 

Reshma reached my home on right time. Or rather Abhijeet (her hubby) dropped her at my home right on time :) The good or bad part this time was that, Mr. Amol (our all time trek leader) was not going to be with us, until we reach the base village :P..... so that way we had no one with a stick in hand banging behind us regarding meeting the timelines ;-)

So instead of starting at 5am frm my house, we started me and Reshma started at around 5.20am.in my car [Pls dont tell this to Amol :P ]

But we still reached on time to Belapur below Rahul's house at 5.45am. 

As per the plan (which kept changing till the last min), I was to park my car near Rahul's house and then Reshma, Myself, Rahul, Ankita (Rahul's wife) and Ninad were to start for the base village Nevali in Ninad's car. 

But Mr.Rahul made us wait for 45mins... below his house, !!!! God knows.. or rather only Ankita knows what he was doing... or rather what THEY were doing... 

Thank God Amol was not with us... else he would have gone MAD :) and HIGH possiblity that Rahul and Ankita could not have made it to this trek :)

But they were saved as Ninad, Reshma and myself were lenient and waited patiently for them.

Finally I guess around 6.30am or so, we started from Belapur in Ninads car. Point to mention is that for a change Ninad was ready and present on time. 

We were late and we were rushing. Reshma was getting calls and bashing from Amol on the phone :) for yet not reaching the base village. We were suppose to be in Karjat at 8am. 

From belapur we took the Mumbai Pune express way so tat we can go faster. Else we would have gone thru old high way. Then we took the Shedung exit and then straight on old pune high way.  

In the Car.

While the drive continued... clouds did some favour on us by showering. Though not whole heartedly. And Ninad played his boring gavthi songs....So all of us got bored and we switched to  my pen drive. 

Then on old pune highway, We took the karjat turn, and onto the Karjat Khopoli Rd....This road is very bad and under construction. Sooner came the left turn to Palasdari village and their local dam there. 

This road into Palasdari village is very narrow and on the circumference of the dam. The village is also very small. 

On the way, while in the car.

As per Amol's plan and instructions, from here we had to pass Palasdari village and station and then take the road to Avalas and Nevali village. But the villagers mentioned to us that it was a end of the road, and vehicles cannot go ahead. The villagers showed us the first glimse of Songiri... and it was just there... we kept seeing it already since long time, and didnt know that was it. 

So we parked the car in Palasdari village. Amol and Sumit(new entrant to DHs) had already reached Avalas village and were sitting near some Temple there. 

In Palasdari Village. The Dam behind. 

Having tea n Parle G

I called up Kishore to check where they were. Yes. there was another car coming from Pune with 2 more ppl viz. Kishore and Kiran. We gave them directions as to how to reach where we were and then we moved ahead in the village to find some breakfast. But we didnt find any. So just had tea and parle G biscuits from a local shop there. 

Here while we had tea... we came across a funny guy... who was very touched by the Vat Savitri festival which was there the next day, and pakofied Reshma :P

Later in 30mins Kz (Kishor) & Kiran arrive. And there we finally started to walk towards Avalas village. We were almost and an hr late. 

Walking over the tracks

Central line train.

To reach Avalas, where Amol was waiting for us, we had to cross 2 railway lines and walk for 15-20mins from Palasdari. And we finally met Mr.Amol Chaudhari and Sumit. Now our group was complete and it was 9am. 

Walking towards Avalas Village

Finally met Amol in Avalas village

We started our walk towards Songiri at 9am I could say. From Avalas to Nevali and then climbing up the hill begins. The hill is actually not that high. But taking in consideration our degraded stamina and 2litre water and telephoto lens and slr and etc and etc.. on my back... I was totally down with palpitations no sooner than 20mins from the begining of the ascend. :( I had expected this. 

Turn from Avalas to Nevali

Trek Started

Anyways.. जब हौसले बुलंद हो तो ..... bla bla bla bla.... got it na...

Nature kept motivation and driving me as always. So palpitations... sweats mosquitoes... sunburns... are all overlooked... :) Its only when I reach back home I notice all this.

If you see the pics in the beginning of the trek and by the time I reached the top, u will notice.. how badly I and we all got tanned. 

So now.... we were climbing up the hill. The ascend is actually not difficult. Its simply perfect for being the first trek of this monsoon season. Good Choice Amol.  

So here we climb up one hill, and then walk over the ridge parallely and then reach actual Songiri hill and then climb up the main top of Songiri. 

As it was a good enuf steep ascend, we gained the height very soon. And the railway lines and platforms and the Nevali, Avalas and Palasdari villages started appearing tinier. 

The clouds played hide and seek with us, and the Sun kept us burning consistently :( 

We kept walking hoping for some showers and cold breeze... dehydrating and saving water that we were carrying on my backs. Also we had had no breakfast. 

After one hr of ascend, we stopped at a place and unpacked our tiffins to munch a bit. But somehow I could not eat at that time. Reshma had got gluconD... that helped.

Once we reached the top/plateau of the first hill, it was a straight walk for few mins. This plateau is just like KAAS plateeau..Land was fully covered with flowers and greeeen grasss... and then Finalllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy we had some cold showersssss.... felt really nice... 

Flowers on the plateau 

Flowers on the plateau 

Cloudful

Songiri visible from the plateau

We could see the Songiri peak approaching us.. covered in clouds... here we spend quite some time in photography and finding the right way up. Finally Ninad go it.

We walked over the ridge and then jumped on to Songiri hill and then traversed it straight and then again straigt steep ascend. Again here we were confused. Amol Kz and Kiran went ahead to find the right way up. 

This was a point from where we could see the top just in front of us very close, but it was very steep climb and were trying to get the right way up there. 

Again, finally Ninad went ahead and got the right way (which actually I had showed him :-P ) 

This last stage of climb is steepest of the entire route. But not difficult. It was good enuf to give the trekking feel. We could see the ruined fortification here. We stopped and took many pics and panaromas here. 

Finding the right way up

Climbing the last patch

Climbing the last patch

THE last patch

Last Patch and then on the top

A turn to be taken 

 It was BEAUTIFUlLLLLL...... Now we were on the TOP! It was 11.45am in my watch, So we took 2hrs 45mins to reach this point.

Reshma Ankita myself and Rahul did a lot of posing and photography and time pass here. While Amol Kz and Kiran & Sumit had moved ahead. 

The grass was greener & fresh like a new born baby. The wind had started blowing welcoming us on the top. The sun had taken rest and the clouds were creating the well deserved shade for us. 

We went ahead to reached were Amol and others were there. And that point was even more rewarding. 

And Now on the TOP.

The KING Seat - Kiran n Amol

 I saw Amol and Kiran were sitting on a stone which protruded out form the hill. I called it the KING SEAT. It was the of the type that I always keep looking and asking for in every trek.

We all sat down on the carpet laid by the lush green grass.... breathed in the freshest cold healing air and felt the content and rewards of all the efforts that we put to come up there :)

After a LONGGGGG time.... a trek completed and was on a place like this where I love to be.

We did some photography, and  started for our Lunch. All of us opened our tiffins. And attacked on it. I still was not able to eat it. So I had very little and drank good enuf water. 

Aakramannnn.....

 I had already announced that we are not going to start our journey back untill 1am. Because I wanted to live there on the top :)

After our lunch I occupied the KING SEAT. It was stone, on which I sat, released my legs into the valley... from where I could see the Palasdari Stn, the Nevali, the Avalas and the Palasdari villages ... the Palasdari Dam.. the railway tracks.. the tiny toy trains... the clouds foolind around... and on.. and on.. and on...

After spend some time there... absorbed the moment, the thrill and the views... and came back to where all were sitting. 

We all lied down with our tummy full (though not mine)... looked up in the sky, looked down in the valley... gazed the shorter hills around... and spend the time chatting... joking.. laughing... 

Suddenly the winds started blowing crazily... the grass on the hill.. moved so well with the wind.. creating nice patterns.. it was worth watching.  

और क्या चाहिए !!! .... इसी के लिए तोह Trekking  करते है  :) I was full content.

ok... like this the time passed, and it was 1pm. We started preparing for our descend. 

We were suppose to descend thru other way , which will take us direct to the Palasdari and we bypass Nevali and Avalas. 

Now... while we started and  were descending the 1st stage frm top, which is the steepest of all, we were touched by the coldest showers/ clouds and winds..... it was superbly cold... and rejuvenating... 

किती खुश करून टाकला आम्हाला पावसाने ....आनंदाने आम्ही बगडू  लागलो अस म्हटल तरी वावग ठरणार नहीं .

yes..... the TREK PKG was COMPLETE now.... rains made its attendance at right time, in right quality.

So while descending we trekked direct down from Songiri Hill itself. We didnt go on the other hill, which descends to Nevali village. 

So, this descend was shorted, but steeper. Again Ninad was very instrumental this time and keen too... in finding this way down. Though at one point, we could have got lost - had we followed him :) 

On the way down, we took as usual our trade mark pics...i.e.e JUMPING pics. 

Within less than 2hrs we reached the railway tracks near the tunnel post Palasdari. Then we walked over the railway line... keeping ourselves alert. This was the track of through trains the Pune, not the central line track to khopoli, hence the freq of trains was to be less.

After walking for I think more 20mins, crossing the local central lines track as well, we reach back to Palasdari village by 3.45pm. 

From here we went to Khopoli in 2 cars. Ninads car and Kz's car. @Khopoli .. Ninad took us to the Ramakant Hotel, which is suppose to be popular for its BATATA WADAS.

We ate like dogs... in there. I ate 3 wadas... and they were big in size, spicy in taste. The batata subzi inside was white in color, not the yellow color as usual. 

And then from Khopoli... Kiran took Bus to Pune, Amol and Sumit took a bus to Panvel, Kz went to Pen in his car, and rest of us in Ninad's car came back to Belapur. 

From Belapur, back into my car.. Reshma and myself, reached Govandi by 7.30pm.

There I was back home ... from a wonder trek after many months carrying back no pains and sprains.. and only loaded with naturefull memories and pics.

Thanks Amol... once again... for arranging this trek.