Hashtag WeekendHopping

The day the happy sun stands tall fly-kissing the earth with warm rays, is the day you know you can’t stay home! I mean what are the odds? The retreating and untimely November rains finally bid a silent farewell and the Sunday took its own sweet time to dawn after one hell of a longish work week. A midnight Saturday plan jolted us back to our jumpy-selves and waking up early the next morning wasn’t exactly a pain. We drove south crossing endless streaks of diversions greeting us with sarcastic smiles and cursed the road makers and the rash drivers. What exactly is it that these people behind the wheel can’t withhold? Patience, hunger, obsessive GTA games?

Meanwhile, service roads ran along the highway portraying the scrawny farmers pulling and tugging at their equally undernourished cattle gearing up to labour in the fields. Of course, nature won’t grant a holiday on a Sunday. We moved on and after a sharp right turn towards Panchgani, I took over the driver’s seat! After a lot of seat adjustments, I could level up and see the road (and hurray!) as the tip of my head gradually rose above the steering wheel. We were all set to resume the little of the journey left.

Unwinding roads twisted into predictable smooth turns and neat rows of red brick houses and inns stood happily in the glory of a warm day ahead. Strawberry farms bloomed open flashing shades of red and pink while we patiently waited for the Mapro garden to magically appear soon. This place needs no explanation other than it being a total food coma for foodies! The most vital part of our one-day trip, the Lingmala Waterfalls was our next destination, pictures of which had aroused enough curiosity for our cheese and strawberry-flooded brains to walk for 20 mins uphill and downhill to get a peek at the running water.

Although I so want to refrain myself from narrating the details of this place, I can’t wait to paint a resplendent picture of the sight worth beholding through one’s eyes. I feel like I am about to give away the climax of a brilliantly made movie but trust me, you will be amazed...! So, the way to the waterfalls splits in two and I (as is my nature) opted for the short cut. This led us to a mini-waterfall which is an unbelievable place! A large collection of rounded stones spread like a huge carpet making way for the little streams that forked out of the collected water. The panoramic view is a frame which offers unique pics each time you find a good angle. The trees get dense as you explore into the darker shades of green, while towards the bank of the catchment one can sit with feet dipped in icy cold water and get a free tiny fish spa. There is this mud red pathway on one side leading you to the forest while the stone corners are a home to varied flowers tiny and big, creatures winged and the ones with spidery long legs. Besides, if you are lucky you will be able to spot a naturally formed throne-ish chair causing you to jump with glee in case you are a GOT (Game of Throne) fan.

If this piece doesn’t inspire you enough, well there is even more reason to go backpacking one of these Sundays with your loved ones!