First Rain

(L-R Jitesh Rakesh Nandu ME)

Yesterday they arrived like first battalion of army marching in front, declaring change of season, proclaiming their arrival. I loved to see them huge and gigantic dressed in snow white with beautiful silver lining and setting Sun light dressed them in Red and Orange. That moment I missed Nikson(my DSLR) a lot.

Today morning sky was as usual, clear with scanty clouds but gradually as the day passed by it was filled with dark rainy clouds. In afternoon there was a little bit of drizzle in our part of city. But by 6:00pm atmosphere was as if its 8:30pm. It’s just like somebody fiddled with brightness and contrast. Colors around me are brighter now. And OMG it started raining. Today I was wearing half shirt and a cream color cotton jean which is my favorite, sadly today they are going to be sacrificed in muddy rain water. My woodland shoes will be drenched in rain water too.

I waited for rain to reduce its pace but it had something else in its mind, so I decided to venture my road to home(its 18-20km via core city). I geared up and plugged my headphones, played local radio station and jumped into rain. Oh the ice cold rain drops when made contact with my warm body made me shout “MUMMY…”. For a while till my body gets cold I was shouting but later I started to shiver.

However in mist of all this drama I was happy inside because this is Nikson’s first monsoon. I want to take him all places around Pune(my city) and take all the pictures which are brewing in my mind from a long time. I was waiting on one of a signal to turn green and looking to that bright red tail lights of vehicles I lost in memories and it reminded me of rains which I enjoyed with my Logical Solution’s(previous company) friends. Where we all went out in rains to get Nira(cold drink) in short break and it rained heavily. I still remember Nandu(colleague from previous company) dancing on Apdi pode song in rains. And followed by LALA’s(CEO of LS) jokes which I didn’t mind that day. Well I won’t ever forget those first rains.

Loud horns from vehicles behind me brought me back from flashback. Single was green and I went home completely drenched. Happy and planning for all my bike rides and outdoor photography.

Car ride to Mahableshwar

Early morning 5:00am Sonal joined us in Nitin’s new Honda City with two huge bags as she was telling us previous day. Soon we all were sharing about number of show stoppers we faced for this ride to Mahableshwar. We all were so excited that we have slept for very few hours. Though it was early morning and still dark we were feeling concern whether we will be able to witness sunrise from Harrison’s folly at Panchgani. So without much delay we hit the Highway and caught the speed. As we were crossing viaduct I was able to see Jambhulwadi Lake bathed in moonlight and so was our car. I wished to capture that picture, but then thought some sweet memories must be kept lingering in back of your mind they are worth preserving that way. As soon as our car entered New Katraj tunnel, we were greeted by splash of ember light and due to speed of car it gave me a feeling of entering into a new dimension, an entire new world. And in fact on the other end of tunnel there was indeed a beautiful and raw world waiting for urbanites like us. That tunnel put an end to tall city skyscrapers, busy streets and all worries of our day to day life. We were now on outskirts of Pune, beautiful landscapes start moving across your seat's window.
As the wheels turned and time passed I was able to see breaking of dawn in rear view mirror and this was making me upset that I was going to miss magic hours of photography. Wait a minute there is no dam on the way to Mahableshwar and why are roads getting narrow, damn we lost our way I shouted. We missed a turn to Panchgani 7 kms back and were next to Dhom Dam. This added to my sadness. We took a U turn from Dam and resumed out journey. As we were climbing the ghats of Wai I was able to see beautiful Sun rays kissing the mountain peaks. I insisted Nitin to get us fast to Harrison’s folly.

Harrison’s folly
View from Harrison’s folly was breath taking. On one side was Panchgani waiting for us and on other side Harrison’s valley, Wai and nearby villages at foot hills snuggled up happily under the covers of morning mist. When I looked at horizon I could see fading shades of mountains, with Sun shining surrounded my scanty clouds dressed in glittering silver linings. It’s a splendid feeling to gaze at that panoramic view sipping hot chai, which Nitin got for us that early morning. It was perfect time for Photography. Nitin’s car was my primary model for the day. So I didn’t waste much time and started to click his car. She looked grandeur with that magnificence backdrop of sunrise.

Mapro garden
We halted at Mapro garden for some breakfast. As their kitchen was not warm yet, it again gave us some time for photography. Mapro garden is indeed wonderful place for vacationers to fill their appetite, get freshen up and purchase some Mapro goodies for self or beloveds. It also has some beautiful gardens and vivid flowers which make this place a perfect friends/family hangout. Sonal and Nitin needed map for sightseeing so they purchased one. Well my thinking about map is little different. I like to scout my way, I like to interact with people. With this you get exposed to their language and there is different fun in getting lost, you get to explore new world, new horizons and you don’t know what surprise is waiting for you on next turn.
Well that map was pretty confusing for all of us to understand. It almost appeared to me like a maze puzzle. However somehow we managed to see some points at Old Mahableshwar with its help but they failed to excite me as it was summer time and almost every where it was golden grass and dried waterfalls.

Needle head point
It was almost afternoon Mahableshwar was not much crowded. We reached “needle head point” After some photo shoot we decided to explore another cliff edge. I asked Sonal to click some of my pics on that cliff edge. But as my jeans were caring my mobile and wallet it was looking weird so I kept it near her feet. Then I got an idea of getting a picture of Nitin and me sitting on the cliff with mesmerizing valley view in front of us. As Sonal was new to photography after she clicked our pic she came near us to confirm if she got the picture as I wished. Soon she was alarmed by some noise and turned back, it was 2-3 young monkeys checking out my wallet and mobile. My heart poped up into my throat. Sonal screamed… I shouted too and that scared those mischievous monkeys. Thanks God they left the stuff at the same spot and ran away, otherwise our rest of the day was going to be waste. Our screaming drew other vacationer’s attention and they were summoned. It was all my foolishness… despite of reading so many notice boards about not leaving precious items unattended; I did this stupidity. Big thanks to Sonal for being vigilant.
After this incident we all were very exhausted and drained, so we decided to have lunch. Mahableshwar was getting clouded and by the time we finished our lunch it also rained in month of March, summer time. That day clouds played role of friends and foes both. Friends as they protected us from harsh Sun shine and foes as I won’t be getting sunset pictures because of them.

Venna Lake
It was boating time. We purchased the tickets of paddling boat and we all were excited to paddle as we were left alone in boat without any paddler/ captain. Nitin and I were made to paddle and boat the keeper made Sonal sit in front of us and asked her not to move otherwise boat might get unbalance and can turn upside down. For a while we all were merry and enjoying the ride. I don’t remember much what was Sonal talking about when our boat reached dead trees in water and shockingly there was a snake approx 12inches long, resting on one of the dry branches. It scared Sonal and made her jump and sit in middle of the boat. Till now Sonal was cheerful and making fun of Nitin and me splashing water on both of us but a glimpse of snake scared her from top to bottom. Oh yes and snake too was scared and disappeared in water.

Horse Ride
After boat ride it was time for horse ride. I wonder how come there are so many horses now. I remember the last time I visited there were few horses and now it’s like 50-60 horses. Horse ride scares the wits out of me. I just can’t ride a horse because it has its own brain. I can ride world’s fastest bike and that too at its top speed but not a horse. The horse owner gave me a crash course about how to ride his horse. But I was making my horse walk not even walk fast but just walk. On the other hand Nitin was fascinated by horse ride. He had two horse rides and in second horse ride I even took his video where he was making horse run faster.

Wilson point and scary Road to Panchgani
After horse episode we went to Wilson point to witness sunset but as it was cloudy we didn’t get any sunset. So we decided to head back to Mapro garden do some shopping and then back to Pune. But now we were lost as we took a wrong turn. On asking for help a stranger on bike told us we were on wrong path but don’t worry he said follow the same path and then take a left turn after 2 km and you will reach Panchgani. So we did as he said. As we took right turn road became narrower and forest became denser and thicker. There were not many humans seen on road. But still the man who guided us to that road was following us. This was more than enough to scare Sonal. She asked Nitin to lock the windows and doors. I was adding fuel to fire by scaring Sonal more. But today I feel she was right some time we do meet bad people and bad things can happen to us, so we need to be cautious all the time. Fortunately nothing bad happen to us and we reached safely to Panchgani.
We did some shopping and had pizza at Mapro gardens and started back to Pune. Again this time we lost our way at Wai and entered Wai city. From Wai onwards I was driving the car. I found her smooth and powerful. But since it was night time I was not able to ride her to its full speed may be next time ;).We decided to sing songs like karaoke. So we played the music in decently nasty volume and were singing songs. This was one of my dream, which I lived that day.
Together we all had a gala time. With all of those good and bad memories, sharing thoughts, pulling each other’s legs and getting lost. I was not much tired as we were in car. That day I totally unwounded myself, previous week was tiresome and this ride was great refreshment for me. But I knew that Tunnel at Katraj is waiting for me to take me back to me regular life.
Thank you Jesus for a safe ride.