Air Show, Mumbai

Captains Log 20240114

Indian Air Force air show off the Marine Drive, Mumbai on a clear bule sky day drew half of Mumbai to the promenade. I think the crowd left pretty saisfied with the roar of the Surya Kirans, flares off a Sukhoi fighter jet and fly past of a bunch of low flying helicopters.

Elephanta Caves

Captains Log 2023.1029

Elephanta (or Gharapuri as known locally), is a small island located off Mumbai’s east coast – broadly situated between JNPT and Mumbai Harbour. 

The island is home to cave temples predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva. The caves have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Apart from the cave temples, the following add to the experience –

- Boat ride from Gateway of India to the Elephanta Island. 

The island is approximately an hour’s boat ride from Gateway of India. Ferry’s start at 9 am and continue until about 2 pm. For the return journey, Ferry’s start from the island at 2 pm until about 530 pm. The cost is about Rs. 260 for deluxe and Rs. 125 for an economy ferry – to-and-fro. The ticket counter in the morning deliberately (I think) start with the sale of deluxe tickets! The ferry’s in both cases seemed similar. I guess they cram more people in the economy ferry. All payments in cash. No cards, no UPI!

For me the boat ride to the island is the most interesting bit. Apart from the cool sea breeze, you get a super view of the Gateway and the Taj, naval and commercial ships docked along the Mumbai Harbour, an assortment of commercial ships anchored off the coast, Butcher Island with its oil tanks and its sundry jetty’s, sea gulls, small fish skipping off the waters and a good view of the ever-changing Mumbai skyline. As you approach the islands’ jetty, the new trans-harbour bridge connecting Mumbai and Navi-Mumbai comes into view.

I wish the ferry’s started plying earlier, say 630 am. This would add morning sunrise view to the experience and help complete the to-and-fro outing in the cooler part of the day. 

- Climb up to the caves.

There’s a toy train that run’s from the island’s jetty for about a km to the base of the climb up to the caves for about Rs. 10. I think this is best avoided. It’s better to take a leisurely walk and take in the flora fauna of the island.

A Gram panchayat fee needs to be paid at the base, then another fee at the caves entrance. A visit to the loo requires a tip. All of this could have been combined to make it easier for everybody. All payments in cash. No cards, no UPI!

The funds being collected though, may either be inadequate or are not being managed diligently as most of the track is lined with plastic bottles and packets.

Stairs made of solid rock blocks lead up to the caves. It takes about 20 minutes from the base to get up to the caves. The stairs are lined with shops selling eatables, souvenirs and other nick-nacks.  

A non-vegetarian joint on the left of the stairs seemed to be the local favourite – judging by the full tables. MTDC seems to have a stay option.

You have to be super careful of the monkeys in the area. They will very easily snatch any eatable in sight and even water bottles!

- Mini trails  

A left before the entrance to the caves will take you down to a lake – birders will generally like this route. This would be about a 20 minute walk.

A right before the entrance will take you up to cannon hill – two large cannons placed so as to overlook the east and west of the island. This would be about a 15-20 minute climb.

Irshalgad Trek

The trek starts from a small village off Chowk, ahead of Morbe Dam, which is about a 45 minute drive from Panvel.

Its a nice short and clean trek and takes about one and a half hours to get to the top from the base village. As you climb up you get a nice view of the Morbe Dam.

Just short of the top, it got pretty windy. Both rain and wind forced us to stay put for ten-fifteen minutes till things eased up a little.

The villagers are happy to point the way to the top. They also have small stalls retailing tea and snacks along the route including one that is right on top.

Morbe Dam

Captains Log; Star Date 1008.2014

Overcast sky, light breeze. Great monsoon morning for some hot vada pav and chai!

Head out to Shri Dutt at Phalaspe Phata on the old Mumbai – Pune Highway just before the turnoff for Goa.

The joint is pretty famous with people heading out on NH 4 or NH 17. The fast turnover ensures piping hot stuff – vada pav, missal pav and other sundry Maharashtrian snacks, through the day.

NH 4 with its well laid out tar, lined with greenery, some curvy stretches and spaced out traffic makes for a slick drive.

Turn off the highway at Chowk for a look-see of the Morbe Dam.

Good place for a short drive. A trail, just after the village, heading up into the woods looked like a super location for a trek. Apparently this is the trail to Irshalgad, as per Google Maps.

Head to Khopoli to check out Zenith Falls – updated here.

Nagla Block, SGNP

Captains Log; Star Date 1908.2012

Located off NH 8, just past the Vasai Creek, Nagla Block is the northern end of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai. GPS co-ordinates - 19.299165, 72.906357.

The trail (approximately 3 km) starts from Sasupada Village, winds through the forest and ends on the banks of the Vasai Creek. Entry requires a fee of Rs. 30/- per person to be paid at the Forest Office at the village. To get started, take the first u-turn after corssing the bridge, look for the "Sasupada" ST bus stop board and a path going up right next to it, past the row of houses lining the highway.

The Trail

The trail is quiet and hemmed in with thick greenery. Heavy rain makes the trail a little more interesting!

Spotted:

• Signature Spider
• Crab Spider
• Tiger Butterfly
• Blue Tiger Butterfly
• Glory Lilly
• Wild Ginger Plant
• Wild Turmeric Plant
• Tamarind Tree
• Sag Tree
• Brahminy Kite
• Leaf Bird
• Coucal

Vasai Creek

Zenith Falls, Khopoli

Captains Log; Star Date 01072008

It’s rained pretty heavy in the morning and I’ve had to skip office. Lazed the morning. Was planning to go out for a short walk when a neighbor happened to mention Zenith Falls, Khopoli. In about 15 minutes I was rolling.

Khopoli is a 30 km ride from Panvel on the Old Bombay-Pune Hihgway. The tarmac just after Panvel up to Khopoli is plain fabulous. Since the roads are wet, ride easy with speedo between 60 and 80, try and anticipate braking and brake early before a curve. Traffic after Panvel, is light.

Check for directions at Khopoli and turn left off the Highway just after the Bus Stand.

The falls can be seen from the highway – a thousand meter high rock-face with umpteen water falls off its face. A railway bridge high up in the rock fold is also visible. The name Zenith comes from a manufacturing company nearby – Zenith Limited.

A small hike across a stream gets you to the base of the fall.

Best to get here early before local crowd starts pouring in.

Captains Log; Star Date 1008.2014; Update

Its as super as it used to be!

Followed a quite trail along the river to get to the fall.

White Throated Thrush

Of course, the Thar helped me get closer!

Only in a Thar!

For those driving down, take the left after the ST Bus Stand at the end of the town, just before the climb to Lonavla starts. For those using public transport, the fall is about a kilometer from Khopoli station.