Travel advisory !!!: How to choose the right tyre

Travel Advisory !!!: How to choose the right tyre: Choosing the tyre involves a lot of effort but the the right knowledge this effort can be refined n focused.  Check the chart to understand ...

A day at the cleanest village in Asia: Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

Having lived my entire life in an urban jungle I love to get away to the mountains and staying at a village for a night was the cherry on the cake. Around 100km from Shillong there is a magical paradise – Mawlynnong – a small village which won the status of being the cleanest village (2003), not just in India, but in Asia. I could not wait to get there.

This is a time for many firsts – my first trip to Meghalaya, my first stay in a village and the first time I’m going to see one of the rare Living Root Bridges. After soaking in the beauty of Shillong for a couple of days I make my way to Mawlynnong, located in the East Khasi Hills, very close to Bangladesh.

A traditional thatched hut.

Image courtesy: Pallavi Pasricha

I reach here and I am stumped. Not only is this village spotless clean but it’s one of the prettiest ones I have seen in the country. I am greeted warmly and taken to the guest house, my home for the night. I walk on cobbled streets bordered with thatched Khasi huts and go past gardens that are full of colourful flowers. To keep the village clean there is bamboo baskets outside every house.

A cup of tea at the machan is bound to rejuvenate you.

Image courtesy: Pallavi Pasricha

I reach the guest house which is entirely made of bamboo. Raised on stilts it almost seems as if I’m in a tree house with two tiny bedrooms, a living room, verandah and a machan which is connected to the verandah with long bamboo poles and jute. It resembles a typical Khasi hut and it’s serene and calming just sitting there amidst greenery with a gentle gurgling of the waterfall at the background. I ate my lunch and just wanted to laze there with no agenda, no mobile or internet (thank god). I’m enjoying every minute when it just gets better – it’s time to go and see the Living Root Bridges.

The fascinating Living Root Bridges

Image courtesy: Pallavi Pasricha

After a 15-minute walk I’m face-to-face with one of the most spectacular natural bridges I’ve seen that’s made by twisting the roots of the gigantic rubber tree. The roots make a pathway across a stream, making it easy for villagers to commute. These bridges are unique to Meghalaya. All around Cherrapunjee there are a number of such bridges fashioned by Khasi villagers who have, over decades, woven the roots of ficus trees across rivulets and streams. The hardy roots slowly grow to form a cantilevered and intertwined mesh that is used as a bridge over waterways. Many of these bridges can only be reached by hiking through the forest for several hours, so I skip those and choose to see this one instead.

Another interesting thing the villagers have constructed here is the Sky View, an 85 feet high viewing tower that’s made of bamboo. When I reach on top I get stunning views of not just the village but Bangladesh on the other side. It’s simply gorgeous.

After a simple meal of dal, rice, potato and red chilies I turn in early. Next day as I am leaving the children beam and wave and villagers happily see me off. That’s when I realise that it’s the simplicity and warmth of the people that makes Mawlynnong so special.

Getting there: There are regular flights from all metros to Guwahati. From here Mawlynnong is 190km away. You can break the journey at Shillong, 118km from the airport.

7-of-the-worlds-most-perilous-sports

There are different categories of sporting activities in the world and truly every sporting activity out there has its own risks; I mean, we’ve read and seen footballers collapse on the fields or become incapacitated due to injuries sustained while playing but even football as a sport cannot hold a candle to some the sporting activities on this list.

1. Mountain Climbing

Climbing a mountain might be fun to watch but trust me; it’s not all that fun when you are the climber. Mountain climbing is one of the riskiest sports in the world whether you are climbing up or down. The mountain climber runs risks of falling which could mean death, or other injuries like back injuries, broken bones, twisted ankles, torn ligaments and many other types of injuries and let’s not forget that the weather on top of the mountain is not the same as what we have down here.

 
2. White Water Rafting

This is another fun game to watch but highly dangerous for the participants. Participants of the sport have to navigate their way through rough white atop an inflatable raft and run risks of getting tossed or smashed by solid hard rocks and being trapped by foot entrapments between the rocks. Accidents during this game are mostly always fatal.

3. Big Wave Surfing

Big wave surfing is a unique discipline of surfing which involves surfing in waves that are 20 feet high or more. Whoever is able to ride the waves to 100 feet is considered the winner and rewarded with huge amounts of money. However participants run the risk of drowning in high velocity currents or having their heads smashed against rocks in the water.

 

4. BMX

BMX is a popular cycling sport which is also called The Bicycle Motocross. Participants would have to perform a number of bicycle stunts and acrobatics in offshoot areas whilst riding on special bicycles known as “BMX Bikes” Should a biker become unlucky during the game, they could fall off while performing these mid-air stunts and run the risks of sustaining fatal injuries.

 

5. Street Luge

Street Luge is skateboarding in a supine position. The skateboards used for this sport is known as a Luge and participants run a high risk of getting smashed during this high gravity-powered sports.

 

6. Bull Riding

I personally love bull riding but it’s so risky that I fear I may never be able to try it out. Bull riding Is a popular rodeo sports amongst American Cowboys. It involves mounting on and riding a raging bull. These raging bulls are not so happy to have the riders on their backs and struggle hard to throw them off. If the bull succeeds in throwing them off, the injuries could be serious but death is rarely recorded amongst participants of this sport.

 

7. Cave Diving

Another dangerous sport which participants seem to always enjoy is cave diving, which involves diving in underwater caves which are partially filled with water. Equipment failure and poor visibility during this game could result in participants dying due to shortage of oxygen supply, head smashing and other similar risks.

10 Reasons You And Your best buddy Need To Take A Road Trip Together

Are you a big fan of travelling and movies?
Are you really keen on taking a trip with your best friend? 
Don't think too much.
IF YES WE HAVE 10 reasons to definitely motivate you to plan this road trip right away!

1. Getting into trouble with your partner in crime will be fun. 

It doesn’t matter if you get lost, witness non-stop rain or have a flat tyre. Just bring it on! 

2. Believe it or not, the best conversations happen at the most random places.

These conversations will be about things you've never shared before or the most absurd life lessons you’ve learnt. And they’d be the best conversations you’ll ever have with your best friend. 

3. Imagine having a drink with your BFF in the middle of nowhere.

In the midst of a green jungle, close to an isolated lake or on a hill top with a gorgeous view, a nice drink, and you and your best friend. Isn’t that something we’ve all wanted to experience?  

4. They’ll be open to trying crazy things. 

From adventure sports to trying unconventional food items, they’ll be accompanying you throughout.  No hassles about likes and dislikes when the BFF is on the side. 

5. You’ll get to do everything you’ve seen in the movies.

Every time you saw a road trip movie (ZMND , DCH, ...) you wished it was you! You finally have the opportunity in hand. 

6. And the unbelievable in-car-entertainment. 

All those chichora songs and personalized playlists will come in handy

7. Watching the sunrise and sunset with the BFF has been a dream for the longest time.

This will be the best part of the trip. And there will be just too many of them to share. 

8. It'll make your friendship stronger.

Yes, taking a road trip together will take your friendship to a newer level. You both will see each other stepping out of your comfort zones, having sleepless nights which will be close to re-discovering each other. 

9. This is a classic case of the journey being better than the destination. 

From getting into trouble to getting out of it to the endless pictures you will click. Everything will make this journey unforgettable. After all, you have your favourite people with you. 

10. Each and every moment of the trip will be you and your best friend.  

There will be endless sessions of catching up with each other. Old memories, bitching about the girls you never liked or the guy you both, are all things that'll come up on this once-in-a-lifetime road trip. 

Destination Matheran

The miniature train, royal blue with shiny red trimmings, known fondly as the ‘toy train’, waited patiently on its narrow tracks at Neral Junction. We boarded, and began the slow, winding 800 metre ascent to Matheran, a small town set amidst mountains and forest – its name means ‘jungle topped’.

We chatted sporadically, gazing out of the window as the train chugged above a dry reddish landscape, where dark green grew in thick clumps. “Isn’t this just wonderful?” Only a few hours from Mumbai, the hill station is many a Mumbaiker’s weekend paradise.

The train halted at a small platform .
Mountains receded into the distance; we had begun moving again.

We reached Matheran, a hill top town with a population of 5000, where motor vehicles and even bicycles are banned; a shady haven to rest the ears and lungs after the chaos of Mumbai. A huge portion of the town’s residents are dogs who sleep the day away, bundles of mongrel pups, sacred cows with calves, goats and bleeting kids, hens hiding chicks under maternal wings, horses, ponies and cats; it is a kind of giant petting zoo. And high up in the trees, are hundreds of mischievous monkeys, picking through the fur behind their babies’ outsized pink ears, bounding through the town, or sauntering into an unguarded home, to steal food which they greedily stuff into their cheeks for later.

That evening, Main Bazaar, the town’s central red dirt road, was alit with fairy lights. Indian tourists wandered past stalls selling plastic toys that spun up into the sky, glasses of rainbow colored sugary cordial, and the most beautiful handmade leather sandals I had ever seen. It was a carnival-esque scene: people wandered by, wearing luminous rubber necklaces that glowed in the dark; groups of girls strolled arm in arm, enjoying their new found freedom from hooting cars and zipping auto-rickshaws. The road was clean and litter free, thanks to the eco-minded town council, who have imposed a complete ban on plastic bags. ‘This place is pretty much Mumbai’s antithesis…’ I wondered !!!

Red soil and red houses . Matheran is synonymous with red , horses and nature . Ecologically sensitive region is well kept with no motoring zone all through Matheran . Indeed haven on earth . Horses are a familiar sight . Infact they are so close to the human dwelling that they have practical human nick names . The market place , the public garden and major sights are all close to each other . Monkeys are another regular in Matheran . They have quite a presence as they snatch everything from the passerbys right from a quick snack to ice golas !!! .

 

The market place is quite composed and offers typical hill station items viz hats , fancy shoes (slip-ons) , jackets and hunter sticks (to shoo away stary dogs and monkeys) .

 

Essentials to carry while on a trip in summers :

 

• Sport shoes
• Glares
• Walking cum hunter stick
• Water bottle
• Definitely no plastic bags (its banned in Matheran)
• Print out of the map above .

 

One day Weekend Getaways - 150 Kms from Mumbai

1) Karnala

Distance: 48 Kms via Sion-Panvel Expy

Karnala is situated at a distance of about 10 km from Panvel. The two major attractions for tourists here are the Karnala Bird Sanctuary and the Karnala Fort.  The Karnala Fort is of much historical significance as it overlooked the Bor Pass, which connects the Konkan coast to the interior districts of Maharashtra.

The pass was the major trade route of the area. The exact date of construction of the Karnala Fort is not known, but it is believed that the structure predates 1400 CE and was built under the patronage of the Devagiri Yadavas and later under the Tughlaq rulers. The Karnala fort consists of two forts – one at a higher level than the other. In the centre of the fort situated on the higher level, there is a watchtower called the Pandu’s tower. The tower also has a water cistern that provides water throughout the year.

The other major attraction of this place is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. In this protected zone, the fort is situated. The sanctuary is spread over 12.11 square kilometres and is much smaller than the other ones in different parts of the country. It is located near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the Tungareshwar Sanctuary and can be easily reached from Mumbai.

Situated at a distance of about 12 km from Panvel, it is best known for its population of birds and hence attracts a large number of bird lovers and bird watching enthusiasts. The sanctuary is home to about 150 species of resident and 37 species of migratory birds. The reserve also has a number of rare bird species such as Ashy minivet, three toes kingfisher and Malabar Trogon.

2) Karjat

Distance: 62 kms Via Sion-Panvel Expy

Karjat sprawls over Bhorghat, Sahayadri and the Western Ghats and the end of the coastal plains of the Konkan region near Deccan. The city has an average elevation of 636 feet and is situated on the banks of the River Ulhas.

Besides its natural beauty, Karjat attracts a lot of tourists because of the innumerable possibilities it offers for adventure sports activities such as river rafting, trekking, hiking and mountain climbing. During the rainy season, families throng in here for a holiday. Several people from the nearby cities of Mumbai, Pune, Thane, etc. have summer homes in Karjat, which are used to celebrate festivals and holidays.

One of the major tourist attractions in here is  ND Studio. Karjat served as the backdrop for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Several international production houses such as Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney and DreamWorks are setting up their facilities in this scenic place.

The city also has the largest chain of farm houses in Asia. A lot of tourists find Karjat attractive because of the trekking possibilities there. The major trekking trails in the region include Matheran via Rambagh point, Peth Fort and Chanderi Fort.

In the monsoons, white water river rafting is a very popular sport in the upper sections of the River Ulhas. The best time for this water sport is from July to September. There are several places of interest in and around Karjat such as the Ulhas Valley, Bhor Ghat, Kondana Caves, Peth Fort etc.

3) Matheran

Distance: 83 kms  via Sion-Panvel Expy 

Matheran is a celebrated hill station and a great weekend place near Mumbai. It is situated in the Karjat tehsil of Maharashtra and is also the smallest hill station of India. Situated in the lush green Western Ghats, the elevation of the region is around 80 m above sea level, at a distance of 90 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune.

The name of the place means ‘forest on the forehead.’ Matheran has been declared as an eco-sensitive region by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is Asia’s only automobile free hill station.

There are several viewpoints in this dream-like place and the most visited among them is the Panorama Point which provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and the Neral town. Amazing views of sun set and sun rise can also be enjoyed from here. Another point called the Louisa Point offers a stunning view of the Prabal Fort. The other important points include the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh point etc

.

Matheran is an eco-sensitive region and the only automobile allowed in the region is an ambulance owned and operated by the Municipality. No private vehicles are allowed in here and the main modes of transportation are horses and hand pulled rickshaws. Matheran is a treasure trove of medicinal plants and herbs. It also has a huge population of monkeys including Bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs.

4) Khandala Lonavla

Distance: 93 kms Via Mumbai - Pune Expy

Khandala and Lonavla are twin hill resorts and are immensely popular weekend getaway near Mumbai. They can be reached in just three hours by road from Mumbai. Besides natural beauty, Khandala and Lonavla are famous for the different kinds of chikki, a sweet made of groundnuts and jaggery.

Trekking is another popular activity here. There are several tourist destinations such as the Duke’s Nose, the Korigad Fort, the Tiger’s Leap, the Lohgad, the Karla and Bhaja caves. Both the cities lies at a distance of 5 km from each other and are situated along the Mumbai-Pune Highway at an altitude of 625 metres.

Some of the important places worth sightseeing include the Duke’s Nose which is a cliff resembling the nose of the Duke of Wellington. The place is an excellent viewing point and presents a panoramic view of the surroundings.

The Korigad Fort is another often toured spot and is located at a distance of 3050 feet. The Tiger’s Leap is another such popular viewing point. On viewing the surroundings from this point, an illusion of a tiger leaping across the river appears and hence the name. Lohgad is famous for its waterfalls, an ancient fort and ancient caves.

Khandala and Lonavla experience a salubrious climate throughout the year. While the temperatures are usually around 12 degrees in the winters, they can go up to 36 degrees in the summers. The best time to visit these beautiful destinations is from October to May.

5) Alibag

One of the weekend getaways near Mumbai, Alibag is approachable either by road or by a ferry from the Gateway of India in South Mumbai. For those with an interest in history, this holiday site even has an old fort that was built during Shivaji’s rule.

Attractions: Religious locations in Alibag include Kanakeshwar Devasthan temple and Vikram Vinayak temple. Less than 30 kms away is the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, while the historic Kulaba Fort is situated 1-2 kms inside the sea and one can walk up to it when the tide is low.  Alibag has many beaches in its vicinity that include the Versoli Beach, Nagaon Beach, Akshi Beach and Kashid Beach. Another hill fort not too far from here is the Sagargad which is in ruins but worth visiting. En route to this place one can come across a seasonal waterfall nearby.

Activities: Enjoy the pristine environs of the beach, try sea food, take a dip in the sea waters, walk up to the Kulaba Fort when the sea water is low. Bird watching in the Phansad Sanctuary will appeal to nature and bird lovers.

Type of Destination: Beach, historic, family and kid friendly 

Distance from Mumbai: 95 kms

Best time to Visit: November to July

6)  Kamshet

Distance: 100kms via Mumbai-Pune Expy

Nestled in the Pune district of Maharashtra, Kamshet is one of the most crowd-pleasing weekend places near Mumbai. It is situated at a distance of 16 km from the twin hill stations of Khandala and Lonavla.

The natural beauty of the surroundings of Kamshet and the charming little villages that comprise of houses made of mud and thatched roofs hold a special allure for travellers from all over the country and the world. The nearest railhead is the Kamshet railway station which runs parallel to the River Indrayani. The hills along this route have a number of ancient cave temples, colonial hill stations and hill fortresses.

There are several activities that tourists can enjoy at Kamshet. Paragliding is a rage here as the destination provides world class paragliding facilities. For this reason, a large number of enthusiasts and flying sport aficionados visit Kamshet throughout the year for paragliding sessions.

Paragliding is an enjoyable experience here as it is surrounded by green ambling hills, beautiful paddy and sunflower fields. There are a couple of places in Kamshet which are perfect for this adventure activity. Tower Hill is just perfect for hand gliding.

Another prominent setting for the spot is Shelar, which is situated at a distance of just 8 km from the highway. It offers the perfect conditions for thermal paragliding and soaring. Paragliders can take off from 175 feet or more because of the perfect landscape.

The Kondeshwara Cliff is ideal for those who have enough experience to take on tough challenges. It is situated at a distance of 20 km from Kamshet and tourists can take off from a height of 2200 feet and soar above the breath-taking landscape of this beautiful destination.

Kamshet is perfect for ridge and thermal soaring and is ideal for basic, intermediate and cross-country paragliding expeditions. Tourists can happily soar over the picturesque Pawna Lake and glide over the beautiful scenery of the region. Due to the popularity of paragliding in the region, Kamshet is also known as the ‘Paraglider’s Paradise.’ There are several places of interest such as the Karla Caves, Bedsa Caves, the Bhaja Caves and the Kondeshwar Temple.

7) Raigad

Dating back to the 17th century, Raigad was the capital of the Maratha King Shivaji. The fort here is built at an altitude of 2700 feet above sea level on the Sahyadri Mountains. Visitors can opt to climb up the 1737 steps to reach it or else can ride the cable car which makes for an enjoyable trip.

Attractions: Though most of the fort’s interiors are in ruins now, some of the structures are still clearly visible. These include the queen’s chambers, main palace, three watch towers, the market area, granaries, the public ‘durbar’ and an artificial lake. All these make for an interesting peek into the life and times of royalty in the olden days.

Activities: Hike up to the fort and get a panoramic view of the terrain below. View the historic structures within the fort that was once the home of the famous Shivaji.

Type of destination: Historic, trekking, family & kid friendly

Distance from Mumbai: 103 kms

Best time to Visit: September to November

8) Palghar

On the outskirts of Mumbai’s suburbs, the small town of Palghar makes for a convenient holiday visit. Its less crowded streets and peaceful ambience is just what the city-dwellers seek for a relaxed and laid back vacation.

Attractions: One of the weekend getaways near Mumbai close by, Kelva and Mahim beaches are ideal to watch the mesmerising view of sunset. Kelva and Shirgaon forts, though in ruins, are good for a day trip from the town. Kelva Dam is a popular picnic spot which is frequented by locals on weekends.

Activities: Explore the two forts that stand in this region. Visit a fishing village near the beaches and enjoy a family outing at the dam or on the sandy beaches.

Type of Destination: Historic, beach, family and kid friendly.

Distance from Mumbai: 109 kms

Best time to Visit: June to September and November to February

Destination Karjat

Another stint at the weekend . Stint as we kept planning to go but for some or the other reasons we kept missing out on the implementation. Decided with a firm belief and a watsapp group to keep the engagement on ...

 We shortlisted a couple of places once again .. The regular locations were ignored . Marve was shortlisted along with Karjat . Marve too close and not many options we decided upon Karjat , Mayur farms was the place in mind . We started with a group of 8 and ended up with few attrition to 6  . 

One of the colleagues came up with an idea of a farmhouse . A team member owned this place. though the photos looked spooky but it was worth a try as we anyway had our plans for the evening . Karjat it was !!! :

Wikipedia says following about Karjat ...

 

Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district inRaigad district, Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.Karjat is located at 18.91°N 73.33°E,^[1] and has a population of 2,17,363. It is located on Bhor ghat, Sahyadri,Western Ghats as well as at the end of coastal plains of Konkanregion near Deccan. It has an average elevation of 194 metres (636 ft). It lies on the banks of the River Ulhas.