On Sunday, we went on a day trip to Lonavala, a town 100km from Mumbai set in the hills of Maharashtra. Although only a two hour drive from Mumbai, the hills are lush and verdant and a fresh and pleasant contrast from the city.
Lonavala itself is a popular weekend destination for Mumbaikers although its accessibility has led to it becoming a built up and crowded town. A quick drive around the town revealed that it is packed with hotels and tourist-geared sweet shops and its generally quite commercial and grubby; we wouldn't rush back to stay for the weekend. Lonavala seems to pride itself on its Chikki, an Indian version of a seaside rock / fudge hybrid, which was being sold in every other shop at least. We didn't partake but Sagar vouched for its tastiness.
Saying that, the surrounding landscape is spectacular and even the drive to the town, along the Mumbai-Pune expressway, has incredible views. This is particularly good in the monsoon as there are many waterfalls and an attractive mist over the hills. Of course, there is always to danger of getting caught in torrential rain, but we were lucky not to on our visit.
Once we'd passed through Lonavala, we drove east to Karla (on Sagar's recommendation) to a popular spot for visitors; a big hill with impressive 2nd century BC Buddhist caves caved out of rock at the top. We parked part-way up the hill and walked the rest (along with many other Indians out for a Sunday trip to the countryside). These caves are the largest early Buddhist caves in India and still has the original woodwork which is quite amazing. The air in the hills is noticeable fresher and the temperature lower than in the city; it's easy to see why many people choose to travel here.
As on our previous trips, we were the only foreigners to be seen and were stopped by several Indians requesting photographs with us. All very friendly but quite strange for us too!
Other interesting experiences included meeting a family who seemed very cheerful and were keen for us to be photographed with their six month old son. We later saw the family placing the son on the back of a decorated goat, which Sagar later informed us would be sacrificed and eaten on the top of the hill! This appeared to be some kind of celebration or festival for the child and apparently meeting foreigners on such a day is auspicious, hence the desire for a photograph!
After we'd enjoyed lunch at a popular roadside restuarant, Phil caught a taxi from Lonavala to Pune for a work trip whilst Sagar and I made our way back to Mumbai. The 100km return journey took 3.5 hours owing to the heavy traffic coming back into Mumbai.
Lonavala itself is a popular weekend destination for Mumbaikers although its accessibility has led to it becoming a built up and crowded town. A quick drive around the town revealed that it is packed with hotels and tourist-geared sweet shops and its generally quite commercial and grubby; we wouldn't rush back to stay for the weekend. Lonavala seems to pride itself on its Chikki, an Indian version of a seaside rock / fudge hybrid, which was being sold in every other shop at least. We didn't partake but Sagar vouched for its tastiness.
Autos in Lonavala
Saying that, the surrounding landscape is spectacular and even the drive to the town, along the Mumbai-Pune expressway, has incredible views. This is particularly good in the monsoon as there are many waterfalls and an attractive mist over the hills. Of course, there is always to danger of getting caught in torrential rain, but we were lucky not to on our visit.
View from the hill
Waterfall and flowers for pooja
Sultry statues
2200 year-old cave
As on our previous trips, we were the only foreigners to be seen and were stopped by several Indians requesting photographs with us. All very friendly but quite strange for us too!
Other interesting experiences included meeting a family who seemed very cheerful and were keen for us to be photographed with their six month old son. We later saw the family placing the son on the back of a decorated goat, which Sagar later informed us would be sacrificed and eaten on the top of the hill! This appeared to be some kind of celebration or festival for the child and apparently meeting foreigners on such a day is auspicious, hence the desire for a photograph!
Ceremonial goat riding pre-sacrifice
After we'd enjoyed lunch at a popular roadside restuarant, Phil caught a taxi from Lonavala to Pune for a work trip whilst Sagar and I made our way back to Mumbai. The 100km return journey took 3.5 hours owing to the heavy traffic coming back into Mumbai.
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