The waves came in slowly over the gentle slope of the beach and retreated even more leisurely. I walked on the black sand and reveled in the emptiness of the vast coastline. A flag kept fluttering on a moored lonely boat. Sampada, my wife and travel buddy for this trip, was talking to a fisherwoman who was sorting out the …
BIRDWATCHING IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE OF MUMBAI
Mumbai is known for its astonishing biodiversity ranging from forests, grasslands, hills & scrubs, the coast, freshwater, wetlands & mangroves. It has everything for a nature enthusiast keen to experience and learn from the vast thesis of nature study. And to do so one need not always travel far. There is so much to discover in and around our own …
A TRIP TO ‘KALPA’ IN THE KINNAUR VALLEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
After an overnight drive through the mountain ranges interspersed with deep gorges and valleys of Himachal Pradesh, the HRTC Himani finally reached Reckong Peo bus stand at 7:00 am. It is that time of the year when this part of the Kinnaur region is covered with a thick blanket of snow. But to everyone’s amazement the sky remained pretty clear …
A ROAD JOURNEY INTO THE HINTERLAND OF RURAL MAHARASHTRA
Mumbai had been recording poor air quality for the past few days with a blanket of smog enveloping the shining city. A breath of fresh air is all that we needed. An air free of pollution where the breeze carried the scent of a rural landscape. We made a last minute plan and decided to go on a road trip …
WHY WE LOVE TO TRAVEL TO VILLAGES?
We are open to all kinds of travel. Sometimes we are backpacking to an unplanned place, going on a motorcycle road trip, trekking the sahyadris, visiting historical & cultural heritages, doing nature photography or bird watching in a national park or a wildlife sanctuary. But visiting a village in India is what makes us most happy. Village is the only …
A SHORT NATURE WALK IN THE FOREST OF AAREY COLONY
AAREY MILK COLONY – also known as the green lungs of Mumbai, is known for its lush greenery, tall trees, grasslands and rocky hills and various species of plants, birds, insects, butterflies and moths. It becomes a paradise in the monsoon with free flowing water streams, blooming biodiversity and enchanting woods with rare flora and fauna right in the middle …
A SPIRITUAL EXCURSION TO KHOPOLI – AN ABODE OF PEACE
There are times when we are uncertain where to travel. Or sometimes we do not get sufficient time to decide due to our frenetic week at the office. In a moment like these, we simply pack our bags and leave our homes in quest of a new place. For us, travel is not always about visiting a planned destination, but …
CHIKOO FESTIVAL – A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE TO BORDI
Every year, the town of BORDI gets decorated culturally to celebrate ‘THE CHIKOO FESTIVAL’– a two-day rural festival organized by farmers in Bordi and local Chikoo growers. The initiative which was started in 2013 by REWF (Rural Entrepreneurship Welfare Foundation) still remains a major attraction. This has boosted the rural economy by providing entrepreneurship opportunities in fields of tourism, art, …
VIKRAMGAD: A QUAINT LITTLE TOWN – A SHORT PHOTO ESSAY
If you are looking for a quick refreshing escape near Mumbai, then we have found one to add in your travel bucket. The region northeast of Mumbai is one of the most forgotten remote areas which makes for a rustic rural experience. A typical open countryside – VIKRAMGAD is the perfect quaint little town near Mumbai for a quick getaway. …
MY LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS WITH NATURE
The rain is back again in Mumbai after a dry spell of over a month. And everything is full of life again. The Mumbai region endowed with rich biodiversity has an exciting mix of habitats that range from forests, grass, hills and lakes, beaches, mangroves and creeks. The forest cover of Sanjay Gandhi National Park has always been my treasured …