Imagine being taken on a workshop to some place which you would not know until u reach there and ask the local people where you are. What do you tell your family? I am going for a three day workshop to a place only my boss knows about. Surprise!! Yeah that’s what my boss calls it ;o) But believe me it wasn’t a bad surprise at all… Just 5 days on a new job I was going for a workshop to this anonymous place…
Y was it taking so long to reach there? This mystery was solved only after reaching at this highest hill station on the Western Ghats, situated at 1372 meters above sea level in the heart of sahyadri hills in satara district a cool six hours journey from Mumbai. We reached at 4 am somehow managing to keep our eyes open to reach our respective rooms and beds. Morning 8 starts our workshop and I have to be on high alert, after all this was the first time I was conducting a workshop for my new team, wanted to be fresh and ready to ans all their queries, (I was really nervous)… zzzzz
The morning was quite, cool, beautiful and full of life with chirping birds. The “Metgutad private bungalow” where we were staying was quite far from the main market place but was quite and beautiful with garden all around, few joy rides, a ground to play, small gathering place. Didn’t have any time later the day as we were busy with workshop. :o( U won’t believe as I started with it I couldn’t find my own voice for a first few seconds, sharing a few secrets with u good people ;o). Seven in the evening and it was pitch dark, the STD was a km away from the place where we were staying and there was light on the street only when a vehicle used to pass. First day just passed by, with no fun, but with altogether a different kind of experience of conducting a workshop and learning to manage people. Soon we were all… zzzz
The next morning was even more beautiful as it was drizzling. Finally it was time for some masti ;o) the first thing we all wanted to experience was checking out on what mahabaleshwar is most famous for mouth watering Strawberries and Blackberries, the best place to check on that was the market place, as like in any other hill station the bazaar was vigorous and active after all the shopping we moved on looking at the splendid view of the deep valleys and greenery to Arthur’s seat : known to be queen of all points, to me all the points seems to be same at any hill station. But each looks magnificent and nothing can compare to the beauty of nature. Yeah!! There was this Echo point the entire group has to shout together to hear our voice echo Lolz!! Kate’s point is another beauty you get a fantastic view of Krishna valley from here. Next trip was to our bungalow for lunch ‘Pehele pet puja baki sab uske baad’ ;o)
Burp!! After lunch it was time to rest but who wants to waste time? (There were a few, lazy bumps Grrr!!) We played cricket, for 2 hours, believe me my team won all the 3 matches we played all because of me, No kidding, then after tea, we went to Table Top Point this was my favorite point, such a huge flat land and that too at such a great height. There was Para Gliding no one wanted to shell out 250 Rs for 2 minute fun, but everyone wanted to go for that ride, we all pooled in 10 bucks each and decide to have a race, whoever wins get the ride, no I was not the lucky one here :o( this point was also our Sunset point that was the most beautiful site. The Sweet Soft Corn was yet another treat. Back to the bungalow after dinner we just enjoyed playing games ;-) soon we all were zzzz…
The next morning after yet another 4 hours session of workshop we had lunch and then our journey back home started at around 1 pm, on the way we visited Krishna Temple also known as panchganawater from 5 great rivers meet here i.e. Krishna, Konya, Yenna, Gayatri and Savitri also halted to visit Pratapgad Fort reaching there was a pain, started with the gang of 22 but only 3 great people reached there just to see a statue or Shivaji on his horse finally the boring and tiring journey on our way home started. It seems to end soon as we all were too busy enjoying and playing. Only later we came to know from the photographs of bosses camera, how we were enjoying sleeping and dozing off to glory in the bus. Lolz!!
Just to enlighten you a bit more about this great place
It’s a great Weekend holiday spot (for those staying near satara)
Can get there by road or rail (pune is the nearest station)
Have 30 striking viewpoints with mesmerizing landscapes.
Range of hotel chains to suit your pocket. (like any other hill station)
I know it’s just the beginning of week but weekend is not far… do plan a weekend at this great place which is quite cool calm and away from the city crowd, Enjoy.