Drizzle! Dazzle! Splash! Sprinkle! Shower! Click! Click! Click went the cameras!!!

Drizzle! Dazzle! Splash! Sprinkle! Shower! Click! Click! Click went the cameras!!!
That's how our trip to Tahmini Ghat was like.


It was decided on the spur of a moment one Saturday morning that nine of us: our family friends - husband and wife, Dad's colleague, his wife and two kids, dad and the terrible me, would go out somewhere for a picnic! We planned everything, what we are going to wear, the gears, what music to play, food and all - everything except our destination.



We took off, after the conformation that all will be aboard at 8 am on Sunday morning, to shop for knickknacks at our favorite shopping store Dorabjee. We dropped items on the skidding shopping cart as we breezed through the store.

Back home, it was time to pack the lunch for tomorrow. We yanked out the bread rolls, jam, cut salad for the filling, cheese and dry snacks. I whipped up some mayonnaise and salad for the bread rolls and gave it to dad to get him out of the kitchen.

Potatoes went in the pot for boiling so I could make aloo chaat (small plates of savory snacks made all across Asia).



One and a half hour later, everything was done and put in the refrigerator.

Wind-cheaters, napkins, fresh water bottles, camera and first aid kit safely tucked inside the car, which was topped with gas for the long drive.



We were up by 5 am on Sunday, fed the kids (Baba, Chilli, Cinamon and Nutmeg) and put them in their rooms. A quick shower and we shot through the dew draped morning to pick up our friends, armed with three cameras, and ready to hit the road.



You know when you are out of the city and among the lush green trees and refreshing landscapes. Greeted by the crisp air and soothing greenery as if you dropped down a rabbit hole and into another world. Rains washed away months of dirt and freshened up every leaf, rock and hill, all glistening clean. Monsoon is the best time of the year to go for such trips. At every turn you are greeted by tiny little cheerful waterfalls. Nature's sweetest sound...the sound of running water...like an innocent laughter of a child. Music to the ears! Red soil carpeting both sides of the road, giving out the true scent of the soil. Stuff that dreams are made of. Hazy dreams, and yet so lucid.










Piping hot tea is a must during monsoon! We stopped for some hot cuppa and munched on the snacks while we debated how to convince Nupur (our family friend's wife) to wait till the cars have passed and the road is clear. She wanted her picture to be taken sitting on the middle of the road! Lol.


Since it was a Sunday, the crowd was growing by the minute, many families were enjoying a splash under the waterfalls. But mostly you could see bunch of guys in a group of 6 to 15 going nuts. Most were there for innocent fun while some were misbehaving a little. Rash driving, practically hanging out of their cars, drinking Bacardi and cat calling.



Note to self: Choose an odd day, any day of the week instead of a weekend if you really want to enjoy the trip.



Waterfalls grew larger as we neared the Tahmini Ghat, driving through the clouds. Have you seen misty clouds passing over the hills and mountains? It's the most beautiful sight. So serene, nature soaking in its own tranquility.



Part 1 of this blog ends here...More tomorrow!



Enjoy the slide show of the pictures below!












Trip to Tahmini Ghat, Mulshi