Year 2008 was a good year in terms of travel for me. I managed to balance between my work related and personal travels. All the trips were short since now I don’t go on long term trips.
In the year 2008 I have been to a few places abroad (USA & Europe) and in India. I am yet to write about my foreign trips mostly because I hardly get to see a newer place or anything new about an old place. And I am yet to write about some of the trips done within India last year as well.

New York

Antwerp

On homeland, apart from my usual trips to Delhi which I have stopped counting, the year started with a two day trip to Nagaon, few hours drive from Mumbai… not posted yet. Then a 10 days trip to Goa happened which seemed very less for the kind of variety it offers us. After 17 posts, there is still lot remaining to write about. This sojourn kept me going for first few months of the year.

Goa

Then after two short trips abroad, towards the end of rainy season a trip to Lonavala was a refreshing change. Will go there again. It has much more than what we experienced.

Lonavala

In November, there was another trip to Delhi.

New Delhi

And from there out of the blue I could snatch a day to visit Amritsar. It was totally a different experience altogether and I am yet to wrap up the stories about it.

Amritsar

Come December, and a trip was planned for Ganapatipule with extended family, a strikingly beautiful coastal place in Konkan region. My first but definitely not the last visit there.

Within Mumbai city, besides daily regular chaotic places, I could see Mani Bhavan, Sanjay Gandhi Park, Bandra Fort, Elephanta (thrice), Gateway (n times) and so on.

Mumbai

Let’s hope the coming year brings me more. Will write later about my wish-list.

P.S.- Hmmm… people do not travel for months and they maintain a successful travel blog; I travel so much that I am unable to maintain my travel blog. Irony.. they call it.

Technorati Tags:- Delhi Amritsar Antwerp New York Goa Ganapatipule Lonavala
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Last Saturday morning we suddenly decided to go to Lonavala before the Goddess rain decides to bid goodbye for another year.
It is a popular weekend destination from Mumbai and Pune. Our first visit, didn’t really know of places in Lonavala except for Bushi & Valvan dams. Nevertheless, Cuckoo and her dear ones are a bit adventurous type, not short on enthusiasm we all set off.

Driving on Mumbai-Pune expressway is like driving on a road to heaven with lush green blooming picturesque surroundings, mesmerizing breathtaking views, wonderful tunnels and supported by occasional drizzles.

Both ways we could easily touch the speed of 150-160 Kms. Cheated actually, max speed limit is 80 KMs on expressway. Now don’t you lecture me on accident prone expressway, I was not at the steering. OK ? And as always I had camera in my hand & all the photos that I have clicked are at that speed !

Who would not want to break rules ?

Lonavala at a distance of only 96 KMs from Mumbai is one of the most popular weekend destinations from Mumbai and Pune. It is popularly called the ‘Jewel Of The Sahyadri mountains’ and is situated at a height of 625 metres above the sea level.

Bushi Dam
Rainy season gives a golden opportunity to the lovers of Bushi Dam and I was so much praying for heavy showers but had to content with only drizzles.

We like surprises, don’t we ? After reaching there we realized that one needs to remove shoes to reach the dam. No problems, even in a hurry Cuckoo doesn’t forget to pack a few things. So, leading the way, off she went in her slippers and other three had to rent chappals at INR 20 per pair. Good business, I must say. Eh ?

Fold the cargos, wade through 1 and half feet water, climb some rocks and there you are at a place which you had seen countless no. of times in photos. When the dam is full with the rain water, it starts overflowing. The place where this extra water is collected is made beautiful by building staircase like structure.
After the dam, climb further up to reach the top for a scenic beauty and experience the waterfalls. Bhuttas, guavas, hot vada-pav and chai are in plenty to give you company. We spent more than half a day there.

Another view at the dam

What else do you want on a hot sunny day ?

Valvan Dam
Two kms away from the center of Lonavala, is this quiet Valvan dam built on river Kundalika. This has been taken over and maintained by Tata. On the way we could see a beautiful garden with variety of colourful plants. There was nothing at the dam except for a very cool soothing breeze, serene water and some peaceful moments.

Way to Valvan dam

We had to keep our cameras in car since photography was not allowed. My camera was in my handbag which no one had noticed, not even me ! Suddenly I realized but as a good citizen I clicked only one photo (Hey, I told you of breaking some rules !) while I could see all of other tourists clicking pictures from their cell phones.

Mumbai Pune Expressway from a distance

I have many more pictures to show you, will upload later.

Technorati Tags:- Bushi Dam Valvan Dam Lonavala
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