Weekend Get-Away to Matheran!!!

Finally, a pending post:)

We as the slaves of time, always look forward to take a break and feel free for once. I mean free to do what we like rather than being enclosed in the 4 walls of office or home. All we do is start with a sloppy Monday and all through the week wait for Friday. Interestingly, we all are so used to this Monday-Friday and Friday-Sunday cycle that our lives are just around these days.

Few crazy days at work, few hectic weekends and that all it takes for you to realize that's it!!! I really need some break to spend some time away from the twin cities and office. After a lot of yes and no sessions, I decided we have to go out.....doesn't matter what the place is like we will just go.

We packed our bags, got into the car and we started our adventure ride to Matheran. Thanks to Google maps for saving our time and energy in figuring out the way. Life has become so easy and dependable at the same time with technology. It was a wonderful drive via NH4. The road was surprisingly good with picturesque but when we hit a rough patch we realized we are still in India. The final 7-8km to the car parking area known as Dasturi was fun and scary at the same time. The dangerously steep slopes were scary; at every curve my heart almost skipped a beat. You just couldn't see the next curve or the road or any vehicle coming ahead which was a scary feeling but thankful we reached safely. Finally we made it to Dasturi, relieved and shocked at the same time; relieved obviously because we reached safely and shocked because we saw a sea of cars parked and being parked there. It's hard to believe that people would just come to Matheran for a day or so…….I guess desperation to go out does that to everyone.

Interestingly, Matheran is a no-automobile zone so after Dasturi other than the slowest train possible the only option left is a “horse”...... Yeah you heard it right. We had booked a place in the Neemrana group's "The Verandha in the forest" popularly known as the Barr House. It is at the extreme end of Matheran just near the lake. We got onto the horses and started our journey to our home stay. We see people, people and more people, felt as if the whole of Mumbai is there. Commercialization has hit this place big time, hotels big and small everything is there in this small place. As soon as we reached Neemrana, we knew we were in good hands; it's so aptly named Verandha in the forest..... Middle of nowhere just us and a window that overlooks a forest, chirping of birds some songs that I had never heard..... Monkeys all over the place and the best of all no phone, no Internet and no tv...... What more can you ask for :)

We were so tired of those 45 mins of horse ride that we just ate and crashed. Got up by the tea time and decided to go to the lake. There is something special about Matheran that worth mentioning.... The red sandy soil....... It will spoil your shoes, your clothes, your hair and your skin for sure. We decided to walk up to the Charlotte Lake and mannnn so many Gujjus, as if the whole of Gujarat was here....but why? Nonetheless all that mattered was we had come to take a break and we weren't very keen to explore the place. All we wanted to do was rest and relax.

Next day, we decided to go to the market in the evening and walk back which wasn't a very good idea in the night. There were lights but the way back was scary. It was just a vast forest with a sandy soil and all we had was a torch and we were walking close to each other as there were a lot of dogs that could come out of nowhere. Man... That walk was a scary but awesome with so much rush of adrenaline. I was amazed at my inherent human senses as I was able to hear even the slightest rustle of the leaves, could see some animal crossing our way even with limited visibility. I felt so alert and alive that I was so ready to attack anything that comes my way. I guess I have never felt such a strong survival instinct before.

I personally love the idea of using a heritage property and converting it to a "non hotel" hotel. The best part is that since the property is expensive, you will surely have a decent crowd and the best of services.We met this interesting Chef Mahesh, a super enthu guy who has been to most of the Neemrana properties and had learned cooking from the best Indian and continental chefs. And believe me this guy was good....his Indian was good but continental was awesome. And the dessert he made “apple pie" was to die for. Yummy is the word.

It felt like a complete British holiday, have breakfast, read a book, have lunch, take a nap, go for a walk, have dinner, read a book and sleep whenever you want and getup whenever you want. This holiday had the best Monday we both have ever had in the last one year. No Sunday blues, no getting up early, no running after the bus, racing to office, whole day running around in office to get work done and finally home....... Exhausted..........

Traveling has always been my passion; I just love to explore new places, culture, what forms the basis of their civilization. Here, in Matheran there is not much to explore if you have travelled. Similar points as that of any hill station...... Sunset point, sunrise point, echo point, a lame lake....... Popular sites in India are surely overrated.

It's an amazing feeling, when even after a decade of knowing each other, you still look forward to spend some time together. And I feel it's very important to take time off work and enjoy life for a while. Otherwise, stress and frustration would drive you crazy.

It is surely a place for a weekend getaway for Mumbai-Punekars as it offers a break from crazy traffic and you feel closer to nature. A short trip to rediscover, refresh and recharge yourself.