Wednesday 14 September, 2011

Kaas - Plateau of Flowers.

Date: 10-Sept-2011 to 11-Sept-2011.


Kaas: Kaas Plateau is a Valley of Flowers. The scene of widespread carpet of flowers, of different colours and variety, spread over plateau, definitely worth seeing.This plateau overlooks the lush evergreen forests that serves as a water catchment area of Koyna Dam. In monsoon the whole area transforms into an unbelievable carpets of flowers like yellow carpets of Smithia and Sonki flowers, Pink carpets of Balsam, Purple carpets of Karvi.

Ideal Time to Visit:
 Mid Sept to Oct End. Recommended to visit once the rains recedes, probably towards the end of Sept.

My Ride: Hyundai Accent.

Distance: Approx 350 KMS from Thane (One way).

Time: 5-6 Hrs from Thane.

Money: Get your pockets full, there is hardly any ATMs available once you exit MPEH. Credit Card is never heard of over there.

Road Conditions: Exceptionally Good, except for a few path in Ghat area but manageable, and a smooth drive through-out.

Fuel: Fill it at the start of Mumbai-Pune Express Highway(MPEH) as there are very few petrol pumps available once you hit the NH4 route.

Route MPEH -NH 4: From Thane,through Thane - Belapur route, I though opted for Thane-Mulund-Airoli Bridge, to escape the Vitava and Kalwa roads and traffic. Head towards the MPEH. Once you exit the MPEH continue with same straight road no turns, it will join the NH4 and continue on the Wai - Satara Road. Once you enter the Satara City take the Exterme right on Shivaji Circle and continue in the Ghat. After a 10 - 15 Kms. you can view the plateau with layers of colors (Green,Yellow,Pink).


Accomodation: Being a typical village locale, accommodation is a bit difficult. You need to hunt for it. But make your mind that you won't find any fancy hotels or star hotels, typically a room with attached bathroom thats it, no swimming pool, lounge, or spa etc. The prices are very reasonable for 4 us we paid 1000 bucks for a over night.


Option 1: Hotel Jalsagar, Tetli.
Option 2: Hotel Sahyadri Palace, Tapola. (We stayed here, with complimentary boat ride to the hotel.)


Food: Its awesome, typical Satara style, spicy and oily but definitely tasty.

Prelude: For me weekend is all about Long Drives, and my brother hardly experienced these so he had joined me along with Jayesh & Jatin. The place is always suggested by Jayesh and me "Chal Abhi Nikalte hai", with obvious discussion with Jatin for final approval. So total of 4 guys - 1 Vehicle and a Weekend, "Time to Roll"

Journey: We started around 5 AM from Thane, total of 4 people (Me,Brother,Jayesh,Jatin). Jatin did have a wish of traveling at 180 KMPH, which he experienced and the moment I hit 180 KMPH it was update on Facebook by him. Breakfast at Amruta Hotel on NH4. Though you have many options through out the highway.




Once you reach Satara the beauty starts. . . 























Oh Yeah, you can view couple of our ancestors ;) 






















Everlasting Friendship . . 
























Bed of Flowers and my Ride.



















Felt like working out.


Valley.


Beautiful Bed of flowers..




































Back Water of Koyna, Friends for ever.




 Our ride to the cottage.

Our Ride. 
  

 Rainbow after a long time. Worth it.


 


 





























































Floral details of Kaas:


Ipomoea Barlerioides.




















 Smithia

Vigna Vexillata Halunda. 

Smithia Bigemina Berki. 

 Strobilanthes Sessilis Bukra.

 Murdannia Simplex



Verdict: A  great place to be in for a weekend, and you will definitely fall in love with it.


Note: Not to pluck any flowers or run over the carpet of flowers, else other can't enjoy the beauty. Love the nature's beauty.


Until Next time . . . .


Rest of the pics on : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150436688124972.454299.784189971&type=1


Tuesday 16 August, 2011

Malshej Ghat.

Date: 14-Aug-2011.

Malshej Ghat: A perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai, situated in the Western Ghats. Much more enjoyable and pleasant drive, compared to the typically hyped Lonavala-Khandala.

Ideal Time to Visit:
June-Sept. Recommended to visit once the rains catch up, probably between July - Aug End.

My Ride: Hyundai Accent.

Distance: Approx 120 KMS from Thane.


Time: 2 Hrs from Thane.

Road Conditions: Quite good, except for few areas but quite manageable, and a smooth drive through-out.Ghats quite exhilarating.

Fuel: Fill it during the start of journey as there are very few petrol pumps available once you hit the Murbad road.

Route (NH 222): From Thane,through the Bhivandi by pass towards Kalyan route. From Kalyan Octroi post turn Left, head straight towards Murbad Road, and continue towards Malshej Ghat.

Prelude: Long weekend is seldom wasted. There is always one question during weekends - "Chal Plan Bana !!!!". This time though it was a different. Had my cousins visiting over the weekend. It was long since I was planning for Malshej. Had my cousins and my brother ready, and biggest shocker was My Dad joined :) . Anyways as long as I drive its never a problem.

Journey: We started around 7 AM from Thane, total of 5 people (Me,Brother,Dad,2-Cousins) and with no specific location to visit just one agenda on mind a WATERFALL. The roads the expectionally good except for few stretches, any way you can't expect it to be smooth ride anywhere in India. Mom had prepared dosas for the journey, and had break in between for a quick grab of it.
Breakfast on the Road...



















This was the point called as Change of Driver, My brother continued the rest of journey and I became the Photographer.
Another Break for Hot Cuppa Village TEA...Courtesy Dad's wish..

















Nature Call Break....
Rest of the journey was a breath taking view of Ghats, Water falls, Foggy Roads, Swirling Roads....


Hit A Jackpot !!!!
Now our real hunt for the Water Falls started desperately seeking . . . .











We continued in pursuit of more waterfalls, and we were not disappointed...






Check rest of the Pics on....

A perfect Refresh getaway . . . . .

Highly Recommended for a Days Break . . .

Untill Next Time....