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The Monsoon had begun. The surroundings had become cleaner and greener with the first monsoon showers. I had decided to go for a trek. Calling Sanket I asked, “Which trek are you organising this weekend?” He said, “Ratangadh night trek it is.” The Ratangadh, Jewel fort is situated near Ratan wadi overlooking the massive Bhandardhara Dam. It is a colossal fort with an elevation of 1297m. It is the part of Sahyadri range in the Western Ghats. Since it was a night trek, I had to board the nine-thirty PM Kasara local. Polishing off my dinner, waving goodbye to mom, dad and sid. I started my journey. I had to buy a torch and a ticket for boarding the train. I got on the bus that took me to the railway station. The traffic was moving slowly as the passengers spent their time by watching movies, series on their mobile. The bus somehow found its way out of the traffic but was moving too slowly on the interior roads of Thane’ Bazaar. I had fifteen minutes to buy my ticket and a torch. I d

We found a good restaurant on our way to Khanwel. After satiating our hunger we hit the road to reach Dudhani. It is a lakeside reservoir formed near the Madhuban Dam. Along the way, we visited the Butterfly Garden. The butterflies had decided to take an afternoon siesta as the garden was void of any. With many, a tree spread across its length the garden was a pleasant respite from the blazing sun. Exploring the garden we found different flowers planted along the flower beds. Adjacent to the Butterfly garden is an Eco-Garden, it creates awareness about the wildlife present in the jungles of Silvassa. It was crafted to bring out the rustic, tribal feel of Silvassa. The road was curvy, it had its ups and downs and was largely smooth but it was no less than a roller coaster ride. Blind turns, hairpin turns and sheer slope of the terrain ensured that our ride was thrilling. We reached Dudhani at five in the evening. Tourists come here from Vapi, Valsad, Mumbai to enjoy the breath tak

The surrounding was bathed in the crispness of the morning sun. The darkness of night, its uncertainties and mysteries were washed away by the assuring, nurturing rays of the sun. The marigolds, roses, daisies hummed a tune that was soothing to the sight. The chirping of the birds, a cackle of a hen, cawing of crows and sound of some bird I couldn’t recognise made an exquisite melody. Many a tree with their mist-laden leaves swayed along the road. The cool breeze spread a sense of pleasantness across the horizon. As the world woke up to embrace the day with humor, humility and humanity, the newspaper boy and the milkman hustled through the floors of the building delivering their supply. With a step in my stride and a heart full of love, I walked down the road to catch my bus. Students, employees from the corporate world, workers, and people were waiting eagerly for the bus with their bags full of hope and aspiration. The bus reached the railway station, it is a place to experienc

The first rays of sun spread across the Express Highway. Lowering down the window panes of our car. I could see the mountain peaks covered with greenery. The Sahyadri peaks are known for their rugged terrain and black exterior. The path up the mountain peak tests the endurance of any seasoned climber. The first monsoon showers enliven these peaks and make trekking a wonderful experience. Aloo parathas, Samosas, Sandwiches, Crisps and Cola make for an amazing road trip. The sumptuous snacks coupled with music and a stimulating conversation are your allies on the road. Our car was humming the tunes of Eric Clapton, Coldplay as we drove through the highway. It was the first weekend of the monsoon and we had decided to pack our bags and travel. One fine day Dad came back from the office and said this weekend we are going out. “Let’s plan,” Dad said. The impromptu planning session had turned out to be a debate competition between mom, me and sid. Each one choosing a different destin