Things were kind of getting weird for me and I needed a break from the routine life and relax all away from the city humdrum. A leave from office on Monday gave me a chance to grab a big weekend and relax. Relaxation was need of the time and any treks were already out of the lists for probable destinations. Our farmhouse near Malshej was a better destination for the much needed relaxation… moreover it would also give me an opportunity to satisfy the shutterbug in me. So the motive was fixed, the destination was finalised… Ohh yes.. company?? Mr. Shirish Thorat is my accomplice almost all the times and this time Rohan joined us for this trip. Our original plan consisted of a days rest and a small visit to Caves at Palu/ Sonawale in this range.
A soothing drive on NH222 after which we were at my farmhouse at Pendhri near Vaishakhare… Its a beutifull place and offers magnificent views of Naneghat and Jivdhan from the backyard along with Amboli (Dharya) Ghat and Durg/Dhakoba.
A nice dinner at Vaishakhare and we were set to rock the night…. Cold weather, Camp fire and Roasted Chicken topped with talks and fun became an excellent combo. Night was not very good because of the cold weather which triggered my ear ache. The next morning I unexpectedly rised up early trying haard to sooth my aching ear. Photography was still on my mind and I was certainly eager about getting my hands on my Sigma 70-300 DG MACRO lens that I had bought recently. The urge within me took over the pain and I started hunting for the butterflies to strike a pose after few clicks a Yellow Brested Flycatcher attracted me.. and I started following it… and to my surprise it came on the drumstick tree right in front of my farmhouse. Waiting there for some more time, I noticed few more different birds chirped around the tree and me trying to capture each of it in my cam.
After all these efforts I took a well deserved nap followed by a drive in the lonely roads in the nearby mountains. Yet another unsuccessful attempt to make it to the Caves at Palu/ Sonawale. More bird photography attempts failed as well as successful and we were off to sleep. Next morning a late start for the return journey back to Mumbai on NH222 and a well deserved retreat for me after a long time. But the counter has incremented for the unattempted plan to make it to the Palu / Sonawale Caves. It has been the 4th time that I have planned for visiting those caves and all in vain!! I hope I make it the next time.. 