January 2010 – Mahabaleshwar Trip

Friends - Rajan and Sanju @ Arthur SeatGauri and Madhavi @ Arthur seat pointIt has been our practice since last 6-7 years that we usher in new year with friends. This year was little different as four of our friend’s son/daughter were appearing for SSC exam. Due to this we dropped idea of grand scale year end bash. Sanju Badhe could squeeze in 3-4 days that gave some refreshing break to Vidisha who must have been pretty bored with all study and no play. He came with family to our house on December 31st. We then got Makarand and family to join us just for 31st eve.

As we wanted to start early for Mahabaleshwar, we called it a day just after midnight but not before eating pavbhaaji, tava pulav and ice-cream to our heart’s content. There was lunar eclipse after midnight. Sanju captured it on his camera and then we went to bed. We started early for Mahabaleshwar and reached entry point where we pay toll in about 2 hours. From there, we reached market in 20 minutes. Due to new year rush, we found it difficult to get through haphazardly parked vehicles. We took breakfast there and then proceeded to our destination – Puja Farm. Puja FarmsIt is exactly 10 kms from market on Tapola Road. You need to take a right and go up a hill for about 200 meters. We spent 2 nights and 3 days there. Staying at Puja Farm is a great experience although rooms etc are just modest however the backdrop and surroundings are just too good. The food, although costly is delicious. There is enough parking place for residents of the farm. For kids, there is lot of open space, flora and fauna. The staff is good. Our main aim was to relax in good surroundings but we still managed to visit Tapola, Old Mahabaleshwar and few main points like Arthur Seat. We came back pretty refreshed. For bookings at Puja Farm, get in touch with someone on landline numbers that are seen in the visiting card. As it is situated in a remote location – at least as far as mobile coverage is concerned, mobiles do not work there. It was a very refreshing break to start the new year.  Photos here.

Comments are closed.