It was a dusky and rainy day on Saturday…..the weather was cool and romantic……but we did not want it that ways this time ;) ……why ??? As we were planning to glide on Sunday…and were hoping that skies be clear and the weather be pleasant for an excellent glide!! And to our luck…….Sunday morning was a perfect one…..and we were too happy and excited about gliding J
Sachin’s friend, Prashant was also travelling from Mumbai, to join us in this adventure filled “ Joy Ride” along with us.
I was so much unaware about this Gliding Centre in Pune, until Atul told me, that he had actually started to learn this fascinating task. This is an undertaking of Civil Aviation Department, which have two seated glider planes and there are several people who come along and enjoy the pleasure of gliding. GCP is open to general public on Sundays and offers a “ Joy Ride” to those who wish to experience glider flying.
After having a nice and heavy breakfast , with Sachin’s Pohe and Trupti’ Tea, we headed towards Hadapsar, on the way we took Priti, my younger sister along with us J
The place is almost 30 mins from Swargate, we could easily locate the place, with help of Atul and the huge ground that was located adjoining to the main road . There were about 10 numbers waiting before us. We booked four slots and then headed toward the yards, where the Gliders were kept….and were getting “ chamko” for our rides ;) The rides usually start by 11, so meanwhile we preferred to start posing for the photos and discovering the place. After a one hour wait, finally the first glider was taken out….it was then carried to the middle of ground with the help of a jeep. We followed it on our bikes.
After reaching the place by 12 pm, the first ride finally started…..we went nearby and had a close look, inside the small plane J . After the belts were tied and the pilot gave a ready go on his mic, the glider moved so swiftly…that it was into the skies in few seconds. We all followed the trajectory along which this plane moved……and were eagerly waiting for our turn. After a five minute ride…it landed back on the grass ground….which was a special run way for these pilots J
We waited until the 10 people before us were finished, killing our time by having loads of snaps…having chikoos and cherries ( which eventually fall short when, Prashant was really hungry) and riding a bycyle of a local boy there ( Sachin and Priti were worried that those tyres could burst, as I was riding it…so mean of them !!!)We waited …waited and waited..untill our turn came almost at 1.30. Prashant was the first amongst four of us, to go for this “Joy Ride” . We took excellent snaps…and the full video shoot of the entire adventure filled task.
The only word we could have in our minds, was Amazing…..Amazingly…Amazing !!! It was a very wonderful experience for all of us. The ride was only a five minute…but for those few seconds you feel as though you are in heaven….with the wonderful view of the city below and you being the only one flying……truly mind blowing…..wish it could be for some more time!! This event is a very nice initiative by the Aviation department, for the common people to enjoy the joy of this beautiful ride !!
On the way back, we had a nice Chinese cuisine , with nice hot soups, deserts, noodles and lots of chicken…..a short and sweet outing..in the city and out of city too….enjoyed my one day weekend thoroughly!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Konkan Trip
Last year, when Sachin and I came back from the Kerala trip, we decided to go on a similar one every year. Through out the year, there were so many things, that we could not plan for a very big one this time. As a change, we had been to Banaglore to meet friends and had a small one day trip to Karnala, and a very spiritual types Ashtavinayak Darshan tour. Finally as we are nearing towards year end, we thought to go on a short Konkan Trip. We decided to go to Diveagar, Harihareshwar and Srivardhan Beaches and Janjira and Raigad forts.
We started on a early Sunday morning, towards Diveagar. As it was a sunday morning, and just 2 days prior to Diwali, it was not much crowded, the roads were all clear.....we headed towards Chandani Chowk, and then via Pirangut ghat....we headed to Tamhini Ghat...on the way we stopped at a village for breakfast. The place was surounded by lake....which extended for almost half and hour.....the scene was beautiful and pleasant :)
We reached Diveagar by 11.30 we freshened up...and went for lunch..The place we stayed was a small hotel, near by to beach..it was a walking 5 mins distance from the beach.....the backyard was full of coconut tree plantations...and many more spices too..... We had a typical konkani style lunch....and decided to have some fish as well :) Surmai was yumm !! After having a heavy lunch...we could not think of anything but sleep....we slept for nice 2 hours.....then had some tea and went towards the beach.
The only word I could say to describe the beach was , "awesome" . It was a clean, beautiful completely deserted beach...with lush green trees and clear water. The beach is not a crowded one.....it was great to spend much time playing in the water and running through the waves...As it started getting dark.....we prefered to sit and watch the setting sun.....the sunset was too good...it seemed that everything near by was so calm and serene....We then started to prepare a house...so started digging the sand.....we could not prepare a very fancy one...so we just made a small Igloo kind of house :) and returned back to the hotel.
After having a warm shower, we went to the nearby " Suvarna Ganesh Temple" ....the idol was supposed to be found in the sea...which was locked in a big suit case.....it weighs almost 10 kg of gold. After coming back...had nice sea food in the dinner, with drinks and had a relaxing evening ...sitting in the open garden and enjoying the stars.....up !!
The following day, we went to Janjira fort, which is situated in the midst of sea....on a rock Island....the fort was constructed sometime in 11th century, and remains to be one of unconquered fort !! The remaining day we visited Harihareshwar and Srivardhan Beaches. Harihareshwar is supposed to be the " Swayam bhu Shankar Temple" also considered as the Dakshin kashi.
Third day we went to Raigad fort....we spent almost 3-4 hours on fort, understanding the history , it being the capital of all forts at that time. There was a MSTDC guide who accompanied us, and have us worthwhile information about Raigad and Shivaji Maharaj. We reached back to Pune at around 9 that night. The trip was a small one, but a very relaxing, must say Konkan is such a beautiful place, which will definetely rejunevate and relax you !! Looking forward to a next trip soon now !! :)
We started on a early Sunday morning, towards Diveagar. As it was a sunday morning, and just 2 days prior to Diwali, it was not much crowded, the roads were all clear.....we headed towards Chandani Chowk, and then via Pirangut ghat....we headed to Tamhini Ghat...on the way we stopped at a village for breakfast. The place was surounded by lake....which extended for almost half and hour.....the scene was beautiful and pleasant :)
We reached Diveagar by 11.30 we freshened up...and went for lunch..The place we stayed was a small hotel, near by to beach..it was a walking 5 mins distance from the beach.....the backyard was full of coconut tree plantations...and many more spices too..... We had a typical konkani style lunch....and decided to have some fish as well :) Surmai was yumm !! After having a heavy lunch...we could not think of anything but sleep....we slept for nice 2 hours.....then had some tea and went towards the beach.
The only word I could say to describe the beach was , "awesome" . It was a clean, beautiful completely deserted beach...with lush green trees and clear water. The beach is not a crowded one.....it was great to spend much time playing in the water and running through the waves...As it started getting dark.....we prefered to sit and watch the setting sun.....the sunset was too good...it seemed that everything near by was so calm and serene....We then started to prepare a house...so started digging the sand.....we could not prepare a very fancy one...so we just made a small Igloo kind of house :) and returned back to the hotel.
After having a warm shower, we went to the nearby " Suvarna Ganesh Temple" ....the idol was supposed to be found in the sea...which was locked in a big suit case.....it weighs almost 10 kg of gold. After coming back...had nice sea food in the dinner, with drinks and had a relaxing evening ...sitting in the open garden and enjoying the stars.....up !!
The following day, we went to Janjira fort, which is situated in the midst of sea....on a rock Island....the fort was constructed sometime in 11th century, and remains to be one of unconquered fort !! The remaining day we visited Harihareshwar and Srivardhan Beaches. Harihareshwar is supposed to be the " Swayam bhu Shankar Temple" also considered as the Dakshin kashi.
Third day we went to Raigad fort....we spent almost 3-4 hours on fort, understanding the history , it being the capital of all forts at that time. There was a MSTDC guide who accompanied us, and have us worthwhile information about Raigad and Shivaji Maharaj. We reached back to Pune at around 9 that night. The trip was a small one, but a very relaxing, must say Konkan is such a beautiful place, which will definetely rejunevate and relax you !! Looking forward to a next trip soon now !! :)
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