A trip to Mahabaleshwar (India)
 

Actually I made this trip a few years back, but now I’m planning to visit Mahabaleshwar again, so I just thought it would be nice to refresh my memory and to write a short trip report. Having three little kids, I can’t travel as far and as much round India as I would like to, but sometimes we make some little trips around Maharastra – to Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, etc.
So, that time we started our journey right in the middle of the rainy season, and that was our mistake. Although the nature was stunning and I couldn’t stop admiring the panoramic views, it was extremely dangerous on the roads in the mountainous area – misty, slippery, with the trucks and buses from around the corner, falling rocks and so on. I would suggest to visit this place right after the monsoon is over – the greenery will still be there, and the journey will be much safer.
On the way we kept stopping the car to enjoy the sceneries, and they well deserved that. I’ve never seen such an emerald green in my life, and waterfalls were abundant. The nature in India during monsoon is really no less than impressive. You can see the pictures over here http://www.indiapalette.com/forums/t...hwar-and-back/
We stayed in Mahabaleshwar just for a couple of hours, getting wet through in the rain, but still having a lot of fun. But I must say the views on the way are as beautiful as the scenic spots in Mahabaleshwar itself. A bonus to the journey was visiting Pala caves. Ancient Buddhist couldn’t choose a better place – it was peaceful, beautiful and full of meditative spirit.
To be honest, I didn’t feel like coming back to Mumbai so soon – I would gladly make this trip a little longer.

Enjoyed your photos. Have you visited Ireland? Same lush greenness . . .

I'm glad you liked them. And now, have never been to Ireland, but would like to!

I will never forget the strawberry produce of that place. Everything has strawberries in it.

Well, strawberry is not the best fruit grown in India - they stick to one particular sort which is neither sweet no tender. And of course you can forget about the wonderful strawberry fragrance. Or perhaps I'm just too spoiled - my parents grow at least half a dozen varieties of straw berries in their garden, and each one is exquisite.
But yes, Mahabaleshwar is also known for its strawberries.