Total distance: 313 km
Lets have some flashback. A week before I set out with my friend to Lonavala.
We started late and left Mumbai around 12PM in the noon. 'Waze' Android GPS application suggested a shorter route to Rajmachi from JVLR->Kanjurmarg->Vashi bridge->Kalamboli->Panvel->Khandala->Lonavala.
It didn't clicked us that the application is showing route for 4 wheelers and we are on 2 wheeler till we were CAUGHT.
Destiny had planned to stop us reaching Rajmachi. First my Fuel indicator fooled me. Tank was almost empty just before the turn towards Vashi bridge. If I hadn't filled my tank there was no petrol pump next 7km .
Secondly faced enormous traffic after Vashi bridge which consumed almost an hour.
And finally we entered Mumbai-Pune Expressway and drove for 8Km before getting caught by Traffic police since two wheelers are not allowed there. Negotiated the police for Rs.50 and reached Panvel around 4 PM. There was no sense in moving ahead as we had to return before 9 PM the same day, hence we decided to visit Karnala bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is 10Km from Panvel on Mumbai-Goa highway.
Some pics from the Bird sanctuary
----Back to story ----
But this time we had planned it all. Although I woke late by 1 hour but compensated it later. At 6:30 AM left my home and drove 9 Km from Bhayandar to Thakur village to pick my friend. Took Ghodbunder->Thane->Mumbra route this time.
Traffic was not much which helped us to cross Mumbra around 8:30AM.
It was breakfast time now. We spotted and stopped one Idli wala near Kalyan pada. We had planned to have 1 plate of Idli each.
But my friend handed 50 rupees note to him before having anything. And that cunning man was not in mood to return anything
. He made sure that we ate for all the 50 rupees 
Started riding again and took the old Mumbai-Pune highway. Condition of the road is really good however I believe in riding 60-75 Kmph , I consider it safe and you can enjoy the scene as well.
Reached Khopoli village from where inclination starts towards Khandala ghat.
Took left from the main highway towards Della Resorts. Pitch road ends here. Next 20 km is laid with sand, stone, jungle, wild animals and of-course adventure.
A single lonely village lies on this route. I could imagine the difficulty of this route in monsoon.
After penetrating 12km in the jungle something Brown in color flashed in front of our bike. It came out from the left of the jungle and with one loop vanished into the other side. It was the first time we saw live discovery channel. It was an infant but really a fast BUCK.
Next moment something flashed in our mind and we looked at each other with fear in our eyes. It was the thought that if the Deer was running so fast something must be following it. We decided to speed up.
After some distance a scary white Langur jumped and stood in the middle of the road, however we crossed him keeping close eyes on him.
From here route became more and more bad. We were expecting some breakdown but nothing happened. Reached the destination and rode the same route for returning.
Next we drove to Lonavala city and just it was decided we moved towards Tungarli Lake. Rested there and took some snaps. We were hungry by this time but could not locate any Bhojanalay. So went into a small restaurant with bad staff and order fried rice and gravy. Before moving out from the city I tried searching my favorite Anjir Fudge but I was disappointed.
Left Lonavala at 3 PM, returned from the same route and as said the returning is always quick. Reached back home around 6:30 PM.
Let your friends know about this!
Thank a lot for this post that was very interesting :)
ReplyDeleteLooking For Car Rental Goa, Visit
Self Drive Car Rental Goa