Welcome Explorers.!

This is a blog that will capture experiences revolving around photography, travel and yes dogs...so keep exploring!

Well, to start with this is for the first time I am writing a blog. To be true I never thought that I would be on this path of writing whereas I have always been a person who lets the emotions flow through words which describe what my photographs depict. There are tremendous number of experiences which have been from the highs and the lows but to start with I wish to share my first ever bike trip experience on this blog.! So let's get started.!✌

To be exact it was in the month of September, 2017 where I was totally smitten with the idea of going on a bike trip and getting to capture all those wide angle and smooth road memories through a GoPro. Technically, I still don't own one but the idea of a bike trip has always been my go getter. So for this bike trip I was pretty much pre equipped but the destination was still to be decided. I did all my research through Google and narrowed down my decision to the land famous for strawberries, Mahabaleshwar.!

This was for the first time I was going to drive to such a long distance back and forth hence I got my Activa ready from the local mechanic and explained the whole plan to my childhood friend, Suvela who was going to accompany me. Like warriors both of us woke up early that morning. I reached her place at 6.19 am on one Sunday. Our plan was to follow the route as shown on Google Maps and to reach Mapro Garden till afternoon to have lunch there and leave and return back to Pune by evening.

The early morning air was fresh and both of us were already charged by the fact of being on this adventure while our folks at home had no idea (well for obvious reasons 😅). I pretty much knew the road as it was not my first time to this hill station but for the riding part well, very much YES! We didn't stop till we had our South Indian breakfast at a dhaba in Shirval (pre COVID times 😦). Giving ourselves a bit stretch we again started the ride with the pretty much known fact that we were close by to the quaint town, Wai. By 9.30 am we had entered the small roads cutting through fields and surrounded by locals. We had our second stop at the Bhadreshwar Mandir which is a Lord Ganesha temple located along the Krishna River. After worshiping the elephant God we enjoyed some time clicking pictures along the river side and also our share of some portraits 😍.

Satisfied with some decent clicks we proceeded towards our final destination and the tricky part started here. To reach Mapro Garden, Panchgani we had to cross the Pasarani Ghat which was quite steep with its own curves and rocky patches. The was the most beautiful and challenging part of the ride where my vision was engulfed by the fresh green valleys post the rainy season. That moment I really wished for a GoPro as unfortunately I couldn't take the risk of taking a halt and capturing some of the serene and amazing views of nature.! I was driving steadily (owning to my share of small accidents, but who can refuse an adventure? 😜) just with the hope that the rain Gods won't shower us with its blessings.! Finally by noon we were there to savour our taste buds after 6 hours of driving. Being there on a holiday the whole garden was fully packed with tourists like us who wished to hog on all the yummy food while the children were busy with their jelly chocolates.

Since childhood, Strawberry with Cream had a special place in my heart of a foodie and that was the main attraction which was going to be relished at that moment. At last the dessert arrived at our table and hit the right spot with an explosion of flavors..💖! After a wholesome meal we arranged ourselves for the return journey. I drove through the curves and the smooth highway again with the sweet lingering taste of the Strawberry with Cream and wonderful memories with the successful completion of my first bike ride...Pune - Wai - Mahabaleshwar - Wai - Pune.

A journey of 220 kilometres in 10 hours on my Activa for my favorite dessert without the trouble of letting my folks know was truly a memorable, breathtaking and an impressive bike trip for me.! 😎😍