2045 hrs, 27th July, 07.Friday.
Our train is supposed to leave Begumpet Rly station on 2045 hrs thus giving ample time to ppl who have yet to pack things up, and to others to finish their aerobics session at office. Of all the ppl in the office, the trekkers were Anand (runner-baba), Atul(kho-baba, later to be named langda-kini), Anil, Ajit, Rumit (yogi-baba), Nidhi (system babi), Srihari (bhai.latest), Shivank and Sagar (me i.e. chhota-baba). The ones to board the train at Begumpet were me, Srihari and Ajit. The rest all were to join us at lingampally. Considering the fact that we didn't get our seats adjoining to each other, we had quite a good time in the train. We started off with having snacks, where Srihari's guavas(:-)) did much to sate our hunger, and then arranging our luggage, etc. After a bit of chatting, all of us got into our berths to sleep.
0630 hrs, 28th July,07.Saturday
Almost everyone woke up at around 0600 and started off with their daily chores... Once settled, we decided to have breakfast from ComeSum on Pune station. And what a variety, vada-pav from pune station, cheese-rolls, kachoris, samosa, idli-sambar, from ComeSum. Was good!!!!
Having eaten to our fill, we started playing DumbCharades, which actually lasted just about 30 minutes. The scenic beauty of the landscape soon worked its magic upon us and the gang started gazing out of the windows, going to the bogie doors to have a better gaze. Soon it was time for us to pack-up and water-proof our luggage. Thus we landed in Karjat, in midst of heavy rains, (literally cats and dogs, and all other animals that can come to one's mind).
Rumit,Anil,Srihari,Anand,Ajit,Me,Shivank, Atul
We took an auto, and rather a big one, to take us to the foot of the mountain which we were to climb. Having had a small photo-shoot over there, we started our climb towards Rajmachi. At the start of the climb, many of us, atleast me, were fully covered against the rain. But during the course till we reached the small waterfall, many had shed their raincoats and were enjoying the rain!!!
The small waterfall had other visitors too!!! Many of them had tied ropes at the top and were sliding down them to the bottom. We were satisfied with bathing in it. One more thing, some of us also did a photoshoot while stripping.!!! Thus having bathed, we had some tea and aloo-vada, we were back on our way to Rajmachi.
The trek was un-eventful, except that we came across many crabs, and stopped a while at one point to have some rest.
1630 hrs, 28th July, 07. Saturday
We reached Rajmachi, and decided to take shelter at one of the farmer's hut, where we were served with delicious tea, kanda-bhaji which was finger-licking good!! There are two forts' ruins at the place, Srivardhan and Manranjan. Except for Shivank all were ready to climb upto one of them, and so we started off for srivardhan. Along the climb, except for one small patch, where I almost felt I was acrophobic, it was easy. Finishing the climb, we decided to have a photoshoot again, with all of us in different poses, and then went on to the hut.
The most surprising thing about this place was that the lights here worked on stored solar power!!! Something which the urban engineers still need to implement.
Having finished our dinner, we started joking, and then gradually drifted into dreamless sleep.
0630 hrs, 29th July, 07. Sunday
I guess most of us woke up at this time and started finishing off with our daily chores. All of us then decided to trek to the second fort, Manranjan. This one was very much un-eventful. The view from the top was breath-taking.
What greenery!!! with waterfalls, fog around us, feeling as if we're walking in the clouds!!! the fresh smell of the morning grass with dew-drops on it!!! All so pleasent!!!
And the most astonishing thing, we came across a cactus growing near a water pool up in the fort!!!
Can someone please tell my elementary school teacher to come and take a look?
Again we had photoshoots in various poses. Coming down to the hut, we had breakfast of al00-poha, and tea, and then having paid the hut-owner, we left towards lonavala.
1015 hrs, 29th July, 07. Sunday
We started off on our way to Lonavala. This one is pretty much a straight road, with a little ascend towards the end. We had 3 stops on our way, one to appreciate a very nice view of the waterfall, second to bathe and enjoy in a small stream, and third to have some tea and biscuits on the way.
1530 hrs, 29th July, 07. Sunday
Reached Lonavala, and searching for some good restaurant to have our lunch and snacks. We all decided to eat in Annapurna. We really ate some meal!!! Sabudana khichdi, thali, puri-bhaji, tea, misal pav, plain dosa, bread-butter, etc, etc, (there are two etc s as the list is quite long).
Having had our meal, 3 of us, namely me, Shivank and Anil were supposed to catch the next train to Hyderabad, Konark express at 1745 hrs from Lonavala. Thus we bade goodbyes to each other at the entrance of A1 chikki shop and we reached station to board our train to Hyderabad.
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