The Maha Panch Trip

It's 2018 ! A brand new year to make brand new memories to dwell on. And for those who need some travel therapy this winter this blogpost could help...

This post happens to be on my first Indian destination. The combination of Panchgini and Mahabaleshwar forms the perfect getaway for the ones who want to escape the daily chores of city life.
Think Blue skies, deep blue rivers, green valleys,  hills, underground caves, pleateaus and just pure air! The beautiful lush green mountains and valleys of Panchgini and Mahabaleshwar will take you to whole new world of peace and tranquility. Since these towns are neighboring, a three-day trip to these hill stations is sufficient to cover almost all of the best spots in town. Here's my three-day itinerary !

Panchgini is a small town nestled with beautiful hills and valleys. The weather in the month of October is pleasant , not too hot nor too cold. Shivaji Chowk was our base camp, and since it was close to the tourist spots in town  we decided to explore it by foot.

We headed first to table land which was buzzing with plenty of tourists. Table land is a huge flat barren land atop a hill which gives you breathtaking views of the valley and rivers below. Late evenings is the perfect time to visit this amazing spot since it gets really hot in the afternoon. But in case you do not have much of an option and visit in the afternoon there are natural coolers which become real life savers in the scorching heat. By natural coolers what I mean is underground caves which are situated at the edge of the plateau. These caves allow you to rest and have a snack while taking in the fresh cool air and sipping your favourite beverage. If you aren't a fan of walking, there is always a friend with four legs ready to help. Hire a horse and take in the beauty of the amazing valley. Also, do not forget to grab a glass of fresh sugar cane juice while heading out. It truly is refreshing!

A Walk Down to the Dark Caves

Parsi point

The view from Parsi point is the same as the one from table land. There is also another spot called Sydney point which also offers the view of the same valley but from a different angle. The pictures below was a spot we discovered just before parsi point. The reason we decided to make a stop here was because of the quaint and peaceful surrounding. We waited until it was dinner time and made a stop at Jaffer Bhai's for some flavorsome biryani.

On day two we decided to explore Mahabaleshwar, which has a lot to offer to tourists coming from all over the world. The best way to travel around town is by hiring a taxi for a day or if you are comfortable driving on the edgy roads  you can hire a car and drive. These are the must visit spots in Mahabaleshwar

Kate's point
Most of the scenic spots in Mahabaleshwar have names of British origin. Kate's point is one of them. It overlooks the picturesque Krishna river. Pay attention to where you are standing because it just may be an elephants head.

Echo point
Echo point is just next to Kate's point. The spot is famous for echoes. So get as loud as you can if you want to hear the valley to speak back to you.

Needles hole point
This is where you will find the mountain shaped as an elephants head. Get clicking because rocks like these can be found only in India!

Strawberry garden
Yes! How could you miss strawberries in the land of strawberries itself. Though I did not reach Mahabaleshwar in the season of strawberries I was fortunate enough to witness the little saplings grow. The guide at the strawberry garden explains the growth process and the varieties that can be found here. After the informative session you can enjoy a nice glass of strawberry cream and also some delicious Indian breakfast.

Venna lake
Tranquil waters of the Venna lake will become your piece of heaven. Take a peaceful boat ride around the lake. You can choose from a peddle boat or a rowing boat. The cost of the rowing boat is Rs. 100 per person and the peddle boat is around Rs 50 per person.

Don' t forget to make a stop at the Mahabaleshwar market. Fulfill your shopping needs of all sorts of souvenirs, clothes, kolhapuri chappals, eateries, sweets etc in this one market. This is where we grabbed a quick lunch before heading to the next spot.

Elphinstone point

This is again another spot where you will find endless stretches of picturesque mountains in different shades of green.

Arthurs Seat Point
This is where one of the British  kings named Arthur would sit and stare at the Savitri River where his wife and child drowned. It is a well-maintained piece of history and the view from up here is absolutely mesmerizing.

Hunting point

As the name suggests this point was used for hunting by the Britishers. This point also gives beautiful valley views and is a buzzing tourist attraction.

Mapro garden
Our last stop in Mahabaleshwar! Mapro garden is where all the strawberry syrups, flavours, chocolates etc come from. It is a pleasant place to relax in the evening while watching the sunset. You can enjoy a lip smacking snack and fruit ice creams. I'd say that the litchi ice-cream was one of the best I have ever had.

Tip: If you are a wine lover, make sure you buy atleast one bottle of strawberry wine from any wine stores in Panchgini. You wont regret it! :)

Majestic Sharjah

Sharjah is one of the 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates but, the magical land of Sharjah is very distinct from the rest of the Emirates in the UAE. Unlike the popular modern city of Dubai, Sharjah is a developing city which holds both ancient historical and modern architecture. It is an industrial hub which attracts a number of  working class people to settle here as the cost of living is also affordable.

However, if you are heading to Sharjah anytime soon for a visit here are a few places you can checkout while there.

Soothe those nerves!

If your looking for a calm and peaceful environment Al Mataz Waterfront is the place to be. The blue waters bordered with modern structures is truly mesmerizing. Relax, breathe in the fresh warm air and enjoy the tranquil blue sea.

Way to the waterfront

Al Mataz waterfront

Merry time !

This is a cool place to hangout if you have some time in your hands. The Sharjah Maritime Museum just like the name says is all about marine and aquatic life. And what's a museum without an aquarium? The aquarium is home to a number of  aquatic animals. The museum is well done up on the outside too. It has a garden with fountains and replicas of marine animals on the outside. The ambiance on the whole is very beautiful and clean. 

Garden outside the  Maritime Museum

The Giant Eye

The Eye of the Emirates is a must see while you are in Sharjah. The view from the top of the wheel is breath-taking. The Eye of the Emirates is one magnificent landmark in the city of Sharjah. The whole of the city can be viewed from a little cabin when the wheel brings you to the top. If you visit the eye just before sunset,  it is definitely a bonus!

Eye of Emirates

City of Lights

Al Qasba is a little buzzing town in the city of Sharjah. Everything you need to unwind and relax you will find here. Food Joints, Kids Play area, Fountains and the Eye of the Emirates is all located here. It has beautiful views of the lake where tourists can also enjoy a boat ride. The sunset brings in the added treat to the soul and as the sun sets gradually the city lights shine brighter by the hour. 

Fresh off the boat!

Souq Al Jubail is by far the best market I have ever visited. The cleanliness and organization of the various departments is just impeccable. The souq is divided into departments for fish, meats, fruits and veggies. You can find every variety of fresh fish and fruits and veggies under a single roof. They also offer a fish cleaning/cutting services which is pretty organized.

Fresh catch of fish

Meats

Spices/Masalas

Dates

A Piece of Heaven

Ever thought a dessert like Sharjah could also have an island? Yes! Sharjah has its own island which is called Al Noor. You can take a walking tour around this blissful island and there is so much to explore here. To start off there is a wooden foot bridge that connects the city to the island. The island has its own butterfly garden and in case you missed the one in Dubai, this can be your second chance! It is definitely smaller than the one in Dubai but it still wont disappoint. After meeting the colourful little creatures in the butterfly garden, you can walk through plantations bordering the sea and breathe in the fresh air. If you are in a playful mood the island also has a trampoline on which you can bounce while enjoying the view of the sea. For people who love nature, this is the perfect place to be!   

Footbridge to the island

Butterfly Garden