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.