5 Days ~ 1800 KMs – 2 States – Wandering into the known & unknown

Korigad Fort – Hidden away from the fame of Aamby Valley

I get a call on Saturday, it’s my brother from another mother. Literally my cousin brother and not just a riding buddy or a close friend. This one has been like what we folks call ‘Langotiya Yaar’. Well here we are deciding how to kill this Sunday, him just having got back from a 9 month long sail. All that is on his mind is the crazy curves that the roads to Lavasa have to offer. And Sunday’s also hold another factor at Lavasa 😉

Kaas Plateau – The Valley of Flowers

Such a cliche title for the place which is so well known now by everyone around the world as it is one of the UNESCO Heritage sites. This place had been on the check list since forever as the seasons have been getting worse year on year. Had heard that the flowers haven’t bloomed extensively like they used to about 5-10 years back when the internet age hadn’t boomed like the way it has now.

Unexpected and much needed trip to Pawna Lake

This weekend was meant to relax and simply unwind from the crazy working month and a road trip to Lavasa. The morning started by reading a book with the goal to simply be able to finish the plot and calm one’s nerves and not be on the edge of simply over thinking about what’s going to happen next.

While doing that, another itch arose which was totally poles apart from the unwinding mode but not as much if one comes to think of it. The itch was to actually head out some new place. Pitch a tent. Head for an early morning swim and unwind. The water has a different effect in itself to help one relax and simply think of nothing.

Summer Dip at Kelwa Beach via Shirgaon Fort & Mahim Beach

The summer heat had got to my friend and me. We were simply fried with the weather plus the fact of having to work day in day out. Gone were the days where one would get a summer vacation. The time to get tanned. The days of playing outdoors and comparing who got tanned the most this summer. How many bruises you got this summer. All those days simply vanish as we move ahead with different phases of life.

So here we were with the goal of heading out somewhere close to Bombay and exploring newer places while being able to head to a relaxed place and take a nice dip in the sea water. Having been to Kelwa beach multiple times, we head out to check out Shirgaon fort which is a mere 10 kms ahead of Kelwa.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Loved by folks who adore nature and don’t fret to get lost in the woods. Head there if you’re on a budget for the day. Fuel would be anywhere around Rs. 300 to cover a round trip of 120-130 kms by a motorcycle. Another Rs. 60 for entry plus bike parking (Cameras will be charged extra).

Finding places of solitude in Bombay – Under Rs. 500

Everyone wants some ‘me’ time. Being in a city like Bombay where people share a sq. km with another 20,000 people there’s nowhere to go and just be you!

Here’s a list of places that one can visit to within a 1 hour radius and manage to find that space for themselves and not be disturbed.

All these places do entail a nice bike ride as well which can be a great starting point for beginners to begin their traveling on two wheels.

Breakfast Escapade to Lonavala

Only people working in advertisement agencies know the pain of working even on weekends. Sometimes for many a weeks back to back.

This ride was a result of many of them simply piling on and on. All there was left to do was ride and breathe in some fresh air. Look around nature and simply ponder into nothingness. But yes, sadly reach office on a Saturday at 10.30 am to work all day long.

The destination was decided the ever green Lonavala which is now the go to place for most of the motorcycle riders around Bombay and Pune. (PS: Don’t head to RK, there are tons of tiny places to explore in Lonavala for food)

Another instinct embedded in the body which is a boon for the biker is waking up early without an alarm, which always helps to head out and adhere to time restrictions that each and every traveler dreads.

The Road Less Traveled to Lavasa

It was just another weekend coming in where the traveler inside was simply hoping for more holidays to wander off into the wilderness while the human had to adhere to the society and stay grounded and come back to the 4 walls of an office the following Monday.

So the location was decided ‘Lavasa’. All the Mumbai and Pune folks know the place very well for it’s curvy roads and usually head there to scrape their knees and click some instagrammy pics.