Photo Walk to South Mumbai

As my teacher's training college was at Fort,South Mumbai, I had an idea about that area.I was in awe of the architecture,the hustle and bustle of the office-goers,the sobo culture and of course shopping delights there.I remember the wonderful moments I spent with my college group at Marine Drive,Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway.My daughter had heard about my many sojourns there and wanted to experience the same so both of us joined the photo walk organised by Moments Shoot to South Mumbai.It was a Sunday and both of us took the local train to CST(Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus for the uninitiated)We met the rest of the small group and walked towards metro cinema to finally reach our first halt Kyanis restaurant.It was a quaint,small unassuming restaurant that served the best food at the most unbelievable prices.Since it was past 2.30 pm we were famished and tucked in.The tables and chairs at the restaurant were like antique pieces covered with pink(or may be that was red) chequered table cloths.The place looked very ordinary and had a second level reserved for 'Family only'.The waiters did not hover around us all the time and they did not jot down our orders.We had grilled sandwiches,cheese rolls,chicken pattice and kheema-pau.To top it off we had their yummy and famous mawa cake and chocolate-walnut brownie with chocolate sauce.The rates of the food at the restaurant were really unbelievably low.I need not mention that the food was fresh and yummilicious.I was happy to be here and promised to come here again to taste some more of their tasty fare which was really swast ani masst!!!(Cheap and best) With our stomachs satiated we walked towards Marine drive.

Grilled chicken and cheese sandwich

Fresh chicken pattice

Shreya enjoying her cheese roll and chips.

The antique style tables and chairs at the restaurant.

Mawa cake and chocolate-walnut brownie cake with chocolate sauce

The restaurant as seen from outside-simple and unassuming.

The building that houses the restaurant.
So after the hearty meal we walked towards marine Drive as we had to catch a bus to hanging gardens or the Kamala Nehru park.As we waited for the bus we took in the superb view of the sea and the evening sun.We clicked a few pictures and were absorbed in doing so when we heard our leader shout,"Hey guys,the bus is here,get in!!!"

We reached hanging gardens and I remembered the many times I came there as a kid for my school picnic.The Sunday crowd made its presence felt there.We entered to see the lovely shades of green trees and the colourful flowers.It is evident that it is a much visited tourist spot.We clicked away and captured the wonderful place in our frames.There was a huge crowd that was at the Old Woman's Shoe,an attraction for kids and adults alike.We also went to another spot from where we could have a glimpse of the Queens necklace or marine Drive and the Girgaon chowpatty.After the visit we had a short break for cool milk and snacks and clamoured on inside the bus towards Walkeshwar's famed Baanganga.

We took a bus and reached Baanganga.I have seen photos of Baanganga before and I thought it was just a quarter of the size it actually was.There was a pond with many steps leading to it.there were kids nearby enjoying their sparklers and crackers.A few idols and a Shiva Linga lay near the steps and there was also a small temple nearby.We noticed many,I repeat many ducks lazing around the Baanganga.Some were in the pond.We sat there and enjoyed the serenity of the place and then took a cab to the last destination-the Gateway of India.As it was a Sunday the gateway was crowded.We saw the new Taj Hotel lit in blue as a tribute to the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar who was going to play his last test match that week.We enjoyed a few minutes there and one group left for the CST station to return home while another went to have dinner at Delhi Darbar.

It was really nice to see some of my old photo walk friends again.We discussed about the next photo walk which was planned for Durgadi Fort.My daughter and I left and a warm meal of fried fish,fish curry and rice awaited us at my sisters place so it was sone pe suhaga!!!All in all it was a great photo walk and I am glad I was a part of it as was my daughter.It was sayonara until our next photo walk.

(Credits-A few of the photos uploaded here have been clicked by my photo walk friends-Nikhil Gaikwad,Rupesh Todkari and Ameya Dhumal.)

Nature Trail to Yeoor Forest

What an experience it was!I went for my first nature trail to Yeoor forest with Mumbai Hikers group on Sunday 27th October 2013.I had planned to go to Shivneri fort but decided against a full day trek and opted for this trail instead, that would allow me time to complete my school work that was pending.

I left my house early in the morning to catch the bus to Yeoor village.There were many photo enthusiasts from Dr.Ceaser's photography group too at the bus-stop.We all alighted at the last stop where there was a flurry of activity.I was pleasantly surprised to see many morning walkers and joggers/runners out there.Many of them were training for some marathon event.It really inspired me to try out running too as I have always wanted to start running for increasing my stamina ,toning my body and most importantly,maintaining my ever-fluctuating weight.Yes, this was something I should try at the earliest,I thought to myself.While we waited for the rest of the group to join us ,I saw the moon still up in the morning sky and I saw a training institute for dogs nearby.I watched as the runners discussed the number of kilometres they had run and a trainer taught warm up exercises to a middle-aged man.there were many ladies out there too who were sweating it out and it was really inspiring for me.

We began our trail at about 7.45 am,much later than what was planned but I was not complaining as during the wait I had made up my mind to try marathon running next, so another goal for myself !The group was a small one of about twelve of us and we had Rajesh,Jayesh and Prasad as our group leaders.They instructed us to avoid talking and instead hear the sounds of the forest.They had binoculars and invited us to use them unhesitatingly.All the leaders were very knowledgeable and were very passionate about nature .We began our trail and we walked along the narrow pathway of the forest.This was the north end of the Sanjay Gandhi National park at Borivali and it was called Yeoor Forest.As we trailed along ,our leaders gave us many inputs and gyaan about the flora and fauna and I eagerly tried to gather as much as I could on this interesting trail.I saw many huge spider webs ,mostly of the giant wood spider.I learnt that the female Giant Wood Spider laid her egg and after that she got the nourishment she needed by eating up her male companion!I could just imagine the poor male spider impregnating the female one and then trying his best to run away from her to save his life.What a punishment for him!!!

Moving on,we heard different sounds in the near silent forest.Our leaders, amazingly could recognise the bird,insect or animal that made the sound. Rajesh acquainted us with the sounds of the dongo bird,the langur, the cricket and many other birds which I ,unfortunately, am not so good at remembering. Rajesh even mimicked the sounds of these animals accurately.Impressive,I must say!

We saw a couple of crabs,many spiders,butterflies and also a few rafters.Most importantly , I got a lot of information about the forests that I never  even imagined.I understood that the health of the forests can be gauged by the number of creepers in the forests.The more the creepers ,the healthier the forest.We saw trees and flowers of different species and learnt in general abut them.We saw a bund made of rocks and were told that the forest department built them so that they could save the very precious soil from erosion due to the flowing waters of the streams.We learnt about the spitting bugs,wild orchids,creepers,funnel hole spiders,trees,birds,streams in the forests,tiger census etc. There is really so much we do not know about forests! Rajesh rightly said that we ignore the forests and the national parks and use them as hang-outs for couples and merry-makers instead of giving them the importance as eco-sensitive zones that need to be protected and nurtured.

We walked along deeper into the forest area and came across a stream and settled there for introductions and rest.We had some snacks and discussed our findings at the trail.We expressed our opinion about the trail and learnt some thing more about the rafters that we saw flying high in the vicinity.The leaders informed us about the work of the Mumbai Hikers group and their many treks and trails.We saw that the place where we halted was littered with plastic bags and wrappers.During the trail we had also come across a group that was talking very loudly and thereby ruining the calm and peace in the forest area.It is a shame that people fail to behave sensibly and responsibly when they come out on nature trails.Littering and loud banter is uncalled for.Nature trails are a means to come closer to nature and learn more about its richness.

The nature trail was fruitful in many ways for me.I had learnt so many things about the forests that I had never imagined before. Of course,I did not see many birds today but I had no regrets,as one of the persons in the group rightly said,we have to come with enthusiasm and not expectation.If we come with expectation there is every chance that we will return home disappointed while with enthusiasm we will surely return with satisfaction and that is what I experienced - immense satisfaction.It was an interesting nature trail and a learning experience for me.I clicked a few photographs and surprisingly,was more interested in learning more about the forests and seeing things around me rather than capturing them in my camera.Looking forward to many more nature trails in the future as the forests have so much to teach us.I plan to go on a nature trail to the Sanjay Gandhi National park at Borivali next time.This nature trail has whetted my interest for more nature trails  in the future.I appreciate the good work the Mumbai Hikers group is doing to bring us closer to nature.Keep up the good work, Mumbai Hikers!!!

Incy-wincy spider spinning up his web........

The pathway towards the interiors of the forest.

The giant wood spider.web.

The sun peeping out from the dense tree growth.

The junglee bhindi bush.

The thorny bark tree.....forgot the name of this one...oops!!!

The funnel hole spider web....there were many of these.

Glowing caterpillar on the leaves.

Happy to be on my first nature trail.

The bund that was built by the forst department.
It is to prevent soil being flown away by the streams.

making our way inside the forest.

The mushroom on the twig.

The flora of the forest-the life of the forest.

The little stream where we had a short discussion and introduction session.

Our team leaders-Prasad and Rajesh.......
Really got great inputs from them about the forest

The small pathways that led us into the interiors.

The beauty of the forest is to be seen to be believed.

The sign that welcomed us into the forest.

The training centre for dogs near the main gate.

Photo Walk to Bandra

My memories of  Bandra take me to the fun times I spent with my college mates when we watched movies at the Gaiety-Galaxy theatre(now called G-7),roamed around Hill road and Linking road and visited my khaas friend Lorna's place near Mount Mary's church.So when an opportunity arose to visit the same area for a photo shoot with Moments Shoot, I could not miss it.As usual I asked the man of the house and my little one(who is not so little any more)whether they would care to join me.I always do this as I feel that they too should know how interesting it is to visit new places and explore them. Surprise,surprise!!!Shreya was all set to accompany me to the photo shoot.Next Sunday evening we set out on our train journey and reached Bandra station as decided.

It was a terribly hot day and that was because(I found out later) it was the hottest October day in seven years as the maximum temperature read 36.6 degrees!!!No wonder we were all sweating like pigs all through.Moving on,we took a bus to Mount Mary's church and started clicking.The church was serene and really a treat to the eyes.I could imagine this very church crowded with devotees and stalls  during the Mount Mary's festival.We saw a large number of people there as it was a Sunday and it did not surprise me to see that a majority of the visitors there were non-Christians.I say this because I know that there are so many believers of Mother Mary and this is more evident during the fest. We sat on the pew after a bit of photography and I stopped clicking the moment a man told us that photography was not allowed inside the church.I had asked about this to our group leader and he had said it was.Anyway,we enjoyed the peace inside the church and made our way towards Bandstand to see the setting sun.

I have never ever seen so many couples together except at the samoohik vivaah arranged by political and religious organisations.This was truly a lovers paradise as the couples were in different poses in different nooks and corners of the sea-front.In fact ,I noticed that one couple,an elderly one at that,was in a tight embrace from the time we came there till we left for our next destination.....what an observation ,right!!!So after being a bit distracted by the couples I started clicking photos of the setting sun and enjoying the sunset.We could see the old Bandra fort and the Bandra-Worli sea-link in the distance.After posing a while we left for the fort.We passed the majestic Taj Land's End Hotel on our way there.The fort was crowded with the Sunday regulars.We had some snacks there as Shreya and I were very hungry.We had a good view of the sea-link and it looked better with the lights on. Nikhil tried many tactics to get good pictures and succeeded in clicking a few great ones in the process as did my daughter.I was unsuccessful in that department but there is always another day.

So that done we took a bus for the station.The bus was very crowded and it felt as if we were in a hot oven.We bore the ride stoically and on the way, as always, I took in the outside view.I noticed that along the promenade at one place there was quite a crowd of people craning their necks to see something/someone.I realised that this would definately be the place where Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartments stood.I was right as I too caught a glimpse of the famous abode of the star(my favourite one) and was thrilled to bits.

From Bandra station we boarded a bus to Andheri and caught an auto ride to the Andheri Sports Complex for the Maharashtrian Food Festival.It was very crowded(crowds are a constant everywhere we go)there were many stalls put up that show-cased the different cuisine of Maharashtra.There were also stalls selling masals,pickles,papads and kitchen ware.Most importantly, there was delicious food,glorious food!!!We were all famished and after having a stroll around to check what we would all have we settled for the thalis.The women manning(just because I cannot say womanning)the stalls were dressed in their traditional best and they were trying to cajole us into buying their fare.But the prices of the sea-food was to high.Intending to buy a plate of surmai fry, I asked for the price and was told that the palm sized fried fish cost 250 bucks!!!As I said we all found the rest a bit too pricy and ate thalis which were reasonably priced at Rs.150 a thali.I had paaplet thali while Shreya had surmai thali.The others too had chicken thali and mutton thali as desired.We had rice,rice bhakaris or wades,fish fry,fish curry and garlic chutney in our thali. We also had refreshing solkadi to wash it down.It was delicious and filling.With our appetites whetted we left for the bus-stop.We bid our goodbyes when our stops arrived and finally Shreya and I reached home at five minutes past midnight.It had been a long,hot and tiring day but also an interesting and exciting one. Shreya was happy to be a part of it and she said she now realised how interesting these photo walks were.She planned to be a part of our next photo walk to South Mumbai that was on Saturday.With a bit of discussion about the day that was we said our good-nights.

It was a working Monday morning the next day,I felt like singing....khoon choos le, tu mera khoon choos le.....bloody khooni Monday ,tu mera khoon choos le!!!!

The red tiled roof of Bandra station......

The steps leading to the Mount Mary's church

What a pity that this lovely cross had the hideous lighting around it.

The first view of the marvellous church as we enter the precincts

View of the Holy Mother Mary

The cross right outside the church

Another view of the church.

Walk towards bandstand from the church.

My 'little' photographer is at work.

The sun set at bandstand.

Photo stunt...........

great feeling at sunset.......

The Bandra-Worli sea-link as seen from Bandra fort.

At the old fort which was very crowded.

View of the Taj Lands End Hotel from the fort.

The sea-link is all lit up........

The enterprising ladies at the stalls entice us with their delicious fare.

Fried fish....that cost a bomb!

Enjoying a cuppa while the lobsters and crabs are roasting.

My Paaplet thali.