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Air, earth and water.
Three most important basic necessities that mankind needs to survive. Besides, if in mood, these can give immense pleasure to us. So, after taking you to pleasant journeys through the air (parasailing) and the earth (the metro), now it is turn to turn to waters.

Let me take you to a boat ride to Elephanta Islands.

The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, one of the principal tourist attractions of the Mumbai city containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. It also has traces of early Buddhist culture and is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The boat rides or ferries start from Gateway of India. (more…)

If I say I frequent Delhi 2-3 times a year and have not experienced the THE Metro till now, what do you say ? Well, whenever I go to Delhi, I am always on the run, short on time. So, somehow the Metro rail had not happened to me.
But last Sunday it was my day. I could spare some time and first thing that came to my mind was a ride in Metro. Since I happened to visit Dwarka, decided to take the Metro from there. And boyyy … I cursed myself for ignoring it for so long.

I have been to many countries and not to mention, have commuted in their trains, local trains and metros. With pride I can say that Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) or Delhi Metro is as good as any of them and can measure up to the best in the world. This “life line” of Delhi’s transport system has come as a much awaited gift for its people as it has succeeded in reducing the traffic and pollution both.

Some observations made by me.

Stations - The stations have an international look and have special care for handicaps and senior citizens with escalators and lifts in place. The staff was very courteous, friendly and started responding to me in English !! [Or did I look a foreigner to them ? ;)]. I was told by a security person that around five and a half lakh people commute on week days and if they are able to maintain that level of patience & courtesy then I salute them.

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It was last weekend of July 2007, rainy season in Maharashtra and we, a group of 11 people (extended family) went to three days trip to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. It was my second visit to these small hill stations amidst the heights of Sahyadris mountains.

Only eighteen kms from Mahabaleshwar, the hill station of Panchgani is no lesser known to tourists. It is a frequented hill resort and is an ideal base for some good trekking, hiking, biking and parasailing (seasonal).
The parasailing takes place at a vast plateau, the second highest in Asia (and 4.5 km long) after the Tibetian plateau and locally known as “Tableland”. More on tableland in another post.

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