Matheran
Hey guys we are back with an exciting place for you guys to spend your Christmas Eve. We have already shown you this place during monsoon and now its time to show winters and summers.
So lets begin with winter 1st.
Matheran is the most beautiful destination for people who don't like polluted places as it is a vehicle free destination. We began our trip from thane station where I(Mohit Gupta), our co-writer (Amit Patil) and 2 of our college friends Rohit Bhatte and Sudesh Shetty, we met and boarded karjat bound local train so we can reach our 1st destination Neral. We reached neral station by 8 am and stood in the queue for obtaining toy train tickets from Neral to Matheran. The tickets are sold just 45minutes before the departure of the train and each person is allowed to buy 4 tickets only. The queue starts as soon as 1 train leaves because the seats are limited and there are only 4 trains from neral to matheran.
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| Ganpati Idol |
When we reached the station we bought tickets to enter Matheran. As it is a hill station and needs to be kept in good condition green tax is taken from the tourist which is approximately Rs.50 per head an these tickets should be kept with ourselves as while leaving the hill station we need to show them at the counter or else their is a fine that needs to be paid. We had already pre booked hotel Sun n Shade for ourselves. It is one of the best hotel according to our point of view as it is Valley Facing and has many exciting things to do so that we don't t get bored.
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| Sun & Shade Resort |
The front side of the hotel has outdoor village themed seating with few swings. The hotel also has provision to play table tennis, carrom, badminton and cricket. On the back side they have their dinning area a huge verandah, a tree top seating facing the whole valley and a swimming pool. This is one of the awesome places as they also have their own disco which is included in the stay and the whole place is decorated according to festivals. We decided to stay at the hotel and do sight seeing the next day.
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After getting fresh we decided to jump in pool but Sudesh and Rohit backed out so I and Amit decided to still enter the water. We changed into our costumes and went towards the pool. Me and Amit touched the pool water from our toes and it was shivering cold water I decided to stay back but our co-writer was in a mood of adventure so he jumped into the water and he also convinced me to do the same. But I refused many times but after 15 minutes I also joined him in his adventure. The water was so cold felt like it will freeze us but we started playing in the water and our body got used to that water.
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| Valley Facing View |
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| Swimming Pool |
After enjoying we decided to come out as it was snacks time and we were hungry after jumping into pool. When we moved towards our room when we saw our room was left open and my friend Rohit was inside the room getting some dry snacks from our bag. Seeing the packet lot of monkeys gathered around and were trying to snatch from my friend. Me and amit were laughing seeing this scene but later on we asked him to leave the packet and went for his rescue and the moneky's ran away. We then asked him to lock the room. Later in the evening we went to the market for some shopping.
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| Matheran Market |
When we came back the hotel was beautifully lit with lights and the manager informed us that DJ party was going on and food was also ready. So we decide to shake some legs and jumped on the dance floor. We danced for 2 hours clicked some photos and then decided to proceed towards the dinning area.
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| DJ Party |
It was an awesome setup. They were serving tomato soup, bhajiyas, fried chips, pav bhaji, chole puri, dal rice, paneer gravy with roti and chinese dishes like fried rice and hakka noddles with gravy manchurian. And these all tasted awesome. After such a lavish dinner we went and sat in the village area of hotel and played cards and did enjoyed a lot.
After 1am we went to bed but me and amit are owls and we couldn't sleep so we decided to roam outside and went to the valley side of the hotel. There were no empty chairs as people were sitting and gossiping. We then went up the tree where tree house was made and sat over there. We listened to songs in cool breeze, it was very dark and was very amazing. Loved the silence of the valley and old slow songs. The lights outside the rooms were on which looked like night lamps. Around 2:30 we felt sleepy went to bed.
Good morning guys its 8am and manager has informed us that breakfast will be available till 10 am maximum so we are getting ready as we have to check out also. By 9 we got ready and ate breakfast. Today they served idli, mendu vada, masala dosa and upma with tea and coffee. This was also awesome. We did a heavy breakfast and then spent some time within the hotel before checking out. After sometime we played badminton spent time on swings and waited for the manager so that he can process our checkout. Now its time for some site seeing. There are many points that can be viewed. One can start from either end because all the points are encircling the mountain and will come one after the other on your way.
They are:-
§ Panorama point - This point is a very beautiful one, for you can see a panoramic view of the hills on the left and a beautiful Ulhas River to the right. This point is quite far from Matheran station and market, but you can negotiate a good price for your travel if you do not feel like walking. This point is perfect for Sunrise and is also called "Sunrise Point."
§ Heart Point - Here one can see a beautiful scene of the valley and this point looks like heart, so it is named so.
§ Monkey Point - Here you can see the monkeys in large numbers and their mischief life-sized.
§ Luisa Point - To enjoy the spectacular view of the city and the remains of Prabal and Vishalgad fort, this place is a must visit. Lion's head is another attraction nearby.
§ Porcupine Point - Close to the market, like other points, this one too provides a great view. Close to the point is Prabalgad fort which can be seen from here.
§ Honeymoon Hill - According to locals, a British officer had his honeymoon actually arranged at this point. Also, latter Parsis used to harvest honey at his point, hence its name.
§ Echo Point - True to its name, this point has some superb echo effect! Feel free to scream loud at the point and hear the echo coming from distant places through the valleys.
Charlotte Lake - Also known as the Sharlott lake, this one simply provides a picturesque view with lush green surroundings. Echo point & Louisa point are other attractions around this place.
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| Charlotte Lake |
One tree Hill - A unique hill, which has only one big tree growing on it. The way to reach the hill is a bit risky and steep.
§ Olympia - There is a Horse Race-course.
§ Khandala Point- Very close to the Matheran market place.
Alexandar Point - Matheran is a small hill station in Maharashtra, a very peaceful place in the lap of the Sahyadris, located away from the noise and hustles of the other parts of Maharashtra. Unlike most of the other lookout points, Alexander Point is at a close proximity from where tourist resorts are, and thus the easiest to reach early in the morning, which is the best time to enjoy the scenaries around the point.
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| Alexandar Point |
§ Rambaug Point - One of the most famous picnic spots of the region, the place provides a spectacular view of Karjat and Khandal, the nearby towns.
§ Little Chowk Point - One of the most loved spots of the town, watches over some beautiful views and sceneries.
After seeing most of the point we started walking back towards Matheran Railway Station and on the way we purchase some chocolate fudges and chikki from the market. At around 5pm we boarded the last train from Matheran to Neral and left with good memories.
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