Visit to Lakshdweep from 11-Nov-2017 to 15-Nov-2017

Visited Lakshadweep from 11-Nov-2011 to 15-Nov-2017 by Samundrum Package by the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS). 

Samundrum Package is a five days cruise to visit Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy by ship MV Kavaratti. Professionally managed tour by SPORTS and enjoyed every moment of it.  The tour comprise of 181 tourist coming from various parts of India like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and of course Maharashtra (Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Jalgaon). Eminent tourist were from Indian Navy, Judiciary, research institute and other areas. 

MV Kavaratti

Day 05 - Kavaratti Island to Kochi

Kavaratti Island to Kochi - the last day of the trip very satisfied but somewhat nervous as the trip was finally into its last leg. Very different experience. Enjoyed the variety of the Sunsets in the sea from the helipad of MV Kavaratti.

Bye bye Kavaratti and Lakshdweep ...

Day 04 - Visit to Kavaratti Island on 14-Nov-2017

Kavaratti Island is the capital of the Lakshadweep. The island  is well known for its pristine white sand beaches and calm lagoons. 

Enjoyed terrific coral life and its formations through a glass bottom boat. Also enjoyed Water Sports like scuba diving, kayaking and snorkeling. Visited an aquarium with several colorful species of fish.

Day 03 - Kalpeni Island on 13-Nov-2019

Kalpeni Island is all surrounded by an immense lagoon of spectacular beauty. Koomel, the gently curving bay where the tourist facilities are located, directly over- looks Pitti and Thilakkm, two of the islands. Enjoyed  swimming, reef walk, snorkel or use water sports equipment like kayaks, and sail boats. This lagoon is specially rich in coral life.

View from the top of the lighthouse

Day 02 - Visit to Kadmat Island

Kadmat Island, Lakshdweep also known as Cardamom Island, is a coral island belonging to the Amindivi subgroup of islands of the Lakshadweep archipelago in India. Measuring 9.3 kilometres (5.8 mi) in length, the island has a lagoon with a width of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) covering an area of 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi). The ecological feature of the island is of coral reef with seagrass, and marine turtles which nestle here. 

Day 01 - Kochi to Kadmat Island by MV Kavaratti

Kochi to Kadmat Island by MV Kavaratti , a cruise ship that operates between the city of Cochin and the Lakshadweep islands. The fabulous cruise ship was designed especially for the Lakshadweep Islands to promote tourism. 

The journey started around 1 PM towards Kadamat with views of Kochi city and variety of ships/boats from Arabian Sea. Once we are deep in the sea, then it was nothing but water and water everywhere and rhythmic noise of the ship turbines. 

Sadhana and me spent about two hours on exploring the ship by moving on all the decks. The ship cruise-staff was friendly and explained the basics of ship navigation and front view from the Captains control room. 

When we got up early in the morning, the ship was halting near Kadamat island. 

Visit to Guruvayuvar, Andrapalli Waterfalls on 07-Nov-2017

Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala, which stands tall at 80 feet which is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

Traveled to Guruvayuvar Temple from Kochi on a very scenic route and beautiful churches and temples along the road. While returning to Kochi visited Athirpally waterfall. A very scenic place and with vibrant tourists, enjoyed the spot a lot.

Visit to Munnar on 08 and 09 Nov-2017

Munnar,  "Kashmir of South India",  is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Munnar is situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above mean sea level in the Western Ghats mountain range. In two day's Munnar tour, we could cover KDHP Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kalaripayattu,  Munnar Rose Garden, Cheeyappara waterfalls.

Visit to Mahabaleshwar on 17 and 18 Sep, 2017

Mahabaleshwar in rainy season shows very different flavor and nature's mood changing every 10 minutes. For the third time, very pleasant tour of Mahabaleshwar covering Old Mahabaleshwar, Author Seat, Needle Hole Point / Elephant Point, Venna lake, etc.

Scenic View of Panchganga Valey from Panchganga Temple

Visit to Pratapgad on 16-Sep-2017

This was my third visit to historical Pratapgad - first when I was in school with cousins and maternal uncles  and second one with Sadhana and Priyanka in 2000. 

This visit was marked with fantastic rainy season in the valley and the varied depiction of the nature's different flavours.

The Battle of Pratapgad between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the ramparts of this fort on 10 November 1659 and short but strong Shivaji killed monster Afzal Khan.

Visit to Shivthar Ghal as on 15-Sep-2017

Shivthar Ghal also known as Sundarmath i.e. Beautiful Monastery is a cave. Samarth Ramdas dictated Dasbodh to Kalyan Swami. Samarth Ramdas lived here for about 22 years. It is believed that this is where the first meeting between Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas took place.

Ramdas and Kalyan statues in Shivtar Ghal

Visit to Konkan on 11 and 12 Aug-2017

A two-day visit to Nagaon Beach, Revdanda Fort, Birla's Ganapati Temple, Ganesh Temple, Nandgaon and Murud-Janjira with Joshi family

We have been enjoying the Alibag-Murud-Janjira track via Nagaon, Reavdanada, Kashid Beash and Nandgaon since 1990s and one of the best weekend destinations from Mumbai. One more trip to enjoy coconut trees, Konkani food, swimming Arabian sea and so on.

Wonderful  Joshis

Visit to Savargaon as on 05-Jul-2017

Visited the Ashram of Savargaon with Kulkanris third time. A remote place in the district of Jalna but very sacred place of Priyototamanand Maharaj where in one can spent peaceful and serene moments.

Visit to Khandoba Temple, Andur near Naldurg on 06-Jun-2017

A quick visit to the temple with Dnyanumama, Shashimausi, Savitamami Sadhana and myself on the way to Solapur to Omerga.

 

Visit to Khopali on 12-May-2017

Visited Gagangiri Maharaj Ashram, Khopoli in the heat of May-2017 on my Royal Enfield with Sadhana. 

The ashram is quite beautiful, clean and resided in a beautiful greenery Khopali surrounding of Sanhyandri range of Western Ghats. The garden is also developed with a lot of variety of species of flowers and trees. Best thing is the continuous flow of water stream originated from the Tata Power Plant.

Visit to Golden Temple, Jalianwals Bagh and Attari Border on 30-31 -Mar-2017

On the last day of the tour, we visited three important places - one  of historical importance  and one the place of pride for every Indian.  Wanted to visit these places right from the school days as learn  about them in the history book and was attached sentimentally to these places. During the day, we went through the different states of mind - very satisfied after the darshan in the Golden Temple, irritated and anguished after visiting Jalianwala Bagh and filled with enthusiasm and national pride after the Attari Parade by Border Security Force .

Myself in front of a 360-foot high flag post

Visit to Dharamshala, Kangra Fort, Jwalamukhi, Chamundadevi on 28-30 Mar 2017

With two days of stay in Dharamshala we visited Chamundadevi Temple, Jwalamukhi, Kangra Fort, Jain Temple, McLeod Ganj and HPCA Cricket Stadium. Also could see a tea garden on the way from Manali to Dharamshala.

With Sadhana in the background of tea garden near Dharamshala

Visit to Kullu-Manali on 25-27 Mar-2017

The tour started with River Rafting at Kullu just before reaching Manali. First time experience and some fun in the chilled water.  

Pathaks and Kelkars in full gear for river-rafting

Visit to Narkhand, Jakhoo Temple, Army Museum, Shimala from 22-Mar-2017 to 24-Mar-2017

Visited Shimla second time and could move around more in Toyota Crysta with Sadhna and Kelkars. Very scenic and nice place and worth more than two visits due to a lot of scenic places and fantastic climate. 

Panoramic Scene of Himalaya Range on the way to Narkand

Visit to Ocean Park, Hong Kong on 02-Mar-2017

Ocean Park, Hong Kong  is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan, Hong Kong. It covers an area of 91.5 hectares (226 acres), the park is separated by a large mountain into two areas, The Summit (Headland) and The Waterfront (Lowland). These areas can be reached by a 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) cable car system, or the Ocean Express funicular railway. 

Spent one full day at the Park and enjoyed the rides, saw other attractions as mentioned above with Prabu and Ahmed. A must visit if you are in Hongkong.

Visit to Tian Tan Buddha and Makau Island on 06-Mar-2017

Tian Tan Buddha is a large bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is sited near Po Lin Monastery and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and faith. It is a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a tourist attraction.

Got an opportunity to visit this excellent scenic place near Hingkong with PMI colleague from Mumbai and Pune. Spent about 3 hours but one can stay here a couple of days in a serene environment and enjoy the nature and power of this sacred place.

Offering Prayers to Lord Buddha

Moving around in the Hong Kong City on 2, 3, 4 and 5 March, 2017

Hong Kong  is a special administrative region of China on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. With over 7.4 million people of various nationalities in a 1,104-square-kilometer (426 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is the world's fourth-most densely populated region.

Got some time in the evening to move around in the city and on the banks of River estuary. The local street market is full of varieties but one has to negotiate the prices a lot - may be to the extent of 1/3 of the price.

With Ahmed and Prabhu on the bank of Estuary River

Visit to Wadi and Khidrapur as on 18-Feb-17

Visited Narsobawadiand Khidrapur Temple on 18-Feb-2019 enroute to a marraige in Miraj. 

Very lucky to Khidrapur which an odd place to reach and not very known place but worth visiting to see the typical Kopeshwar Temple was built in the 12th century by Shilahara King Gandaraditya between 1109 and 1178 CE.

Visit to Make in India Exhibition 17-Feb-2017

Make in India Week, BKC, Mumbai  Visited the exhibition with Sadhana giving a lot of information about Indian Government's Make-in-India initiative. Amazed with the variety of the products displayed in the event - especially the BIGGEST TRUCK, scooters, drum beaters, and of course Harley Davidson bike.

Visit to Gateway of India and Juhu Beach, Mumbai on 29-Jan-2017

Enjoyed full day with Gunedra, Asmita, Pranjali and Sadhana once again and visited all time favorite places - Gateway of India and Juhu Beach. 

Visit to Sinhgad Fort near Pune on 01-Jan-2017

Sinhgad Fort  is a hill fortress located at around 36 km southwest of the city of Pune, India. Mind went into the school days and remembered the great warriors like Tanaji, Shelarmama after visiting this fort. Moved around in the fort for 4-5 hours and simple but delicious Maharashtrian food with mast curd.