The three musketeers Dipti Jhamnani, Prayarana Aryan and myself, planned and almost cancelled this trip but thanks to both of them for their efforts that this trip happened. Dipti was low on health and Prayarana had been awake till late night for her post convocation party and for a pleasant surprise both were up and ready early morning.
Lonavala was never so close as it was on 10th Feb 08, just over 90mins and we were cruising on the silky roads of Bombay’s favorite hop stop.
The ‘poha’ at Lonavala didn’t live upto Aryans expectations leading us in the middle of a brainstorming session to think of how to have an eventful day. A series of some of the most unplanned things started then on with all of us agreeing to spend the afternoon in Pune.
After missing the turn to the city and then coming back 4kms, thanks to Aryan’s “Bak Bak”, we reached a nice red construction in the city, that serves one of the best noodles we ever had – The Pune Central Mall.
We could not hold ourselves in acknowledging the sumptuous dish and gave the cook a note of appreciation. Money saved is money earned – Aryan’s stand on getting the parking charges reimbursed is exactly what it means, she actually went back to the mall to have the 20 bucks back. Way to go Aryan!!
Lonavala k liye nikle the, Pune bhi aagaye…ab kya?
I proposed for giving a surprise to my friend Shreya who stays at Kondhwa and was in town that day. The surprise ceremony went as planned and was a moral booster for us to go for something more exciting.
Aryan wished a sizzler-for-lunch and took us on a hunt that finally ended at Yana’s Sizzler joint after tracking the place on my GPRS enabled handheld.
Prayarana – The Sizzler Queen now, ordered Fish and Chicken Cheese Sizzlers – again the best ever. Thanks to the Indian Army baby Shreya too for introducing this place.
‘Rainmakers Shack’ - close to Bushi dam was the much needed break after the super filling supper and the drive back to Lonavala. The trauma of hunting this place was welcomed as I wanted a ‘ghat’ drive and mistakenly moved towards Amby Valley.
A bit expensive for a logical brain but worth for a practical one - a hookah joint with ‘aaraam’ chairs, rock music background and chilled red bull besides a mountain backdrop overlooking a vast valley - priceless.
The tempting mountain like structure right next to the shack made us check out a small trekking session. Half way up the baby mountain, we clicked some really memorable pictures along with my super irritating PJ’s which unfortunately could not make it into the camera.
We called off the long day.
Hats off to DJ!! Who did not burst with her headache and much thanks to Prayarana for simply being there. Together we made this a bashing hit.
Highlights:
My First Expressway drive, an early breakfast at Lonavala, a breakfast and window shopping at Pune Central Mall, Surprise to Shreya, The Hunt on FC Road, Sizzler at Yana’s, and an hour at Rainmakers shack.
Total outing : 17hrs
Distance traveled : 410kms
Places visited : Lonavala, Pune City and Kondhwa
In high hopes to have many more such pleasant experience blogs – Dash.
