When Mahabaleswar Calls

Just before the lockdown, back in 2020, we had booked a trip to Mahabaleswar. Obviously we had to cancel it due to lockdown. So, this time we thought of making it happen, without fail. What's better to end the year, than a 6 hrs long car drive and a 2 days trip to a beautiful place!

We started at around 8:30 am. We were supposed to take the Pune route via Lonavla and Panvel. Sadly Google babaji led us the other way, from Raigad. It was a long route, and the NH66 being under construction, there was a long traffic. We took a shortcut, through some village with bumpy road. The roller coaster ride, though risky was quite adventurous. Good that we had tea at a roadside eatery at around 10.

After, the thrilling drive when we finally reached NH66 it was almost 2pm. We were starving but decided to stop only nearby our destination. So before we were almost there in the main town, we stopped by a Dhaba style restaurant called Vedant in Kamshet. We did not miss the strawberry with cream there.

We reached our hotel at around 4 pm. It was a long drive. We were tired but our enthusiasm overpowered our fatigue and after changing we started for Venna Lake, which was a few minutes drive. It was overcrowded and we booked a row boat for 30 minutes. The ride was so pleasant. The sun was just about to set and we got a lovely view of the setting dusk. My little one also rowed the boat for sometime.

There is a game zone just opposite to the Lake. After our boat ride, we went there for a Giant Wheel experience. It was a first time for my daughter and she was quite excited. We got an amazing view of the Venna Lake from the top. 

Music: Joyful Christmas

Musician: SergePavkinMusic

URL: https://pixabay.com/music/-joyful-christmas-116574/

The next day was going to be the most happening. We had a lot of places to cover. It was a risky drive through the bumpy road to Elephant's Head Point. The weather was foggy. Still we got some glimpses of the picturesque view from Elphinstone Point.

Our next stop was Savitri Point. The view was similar. However, the place was filled with monkeys and they were pretty aggressive. We had to keep safe distance from them.

Our last stop was Arthur's Seat. This area was quite crowded. And it was almost a struggle to get to the main point. But it was worth the time and energy.

We were quite tired and hungry by then. We again took the way towards Mahabaleswar Main Road to have lunch. We stopped at The Sizzling Point, a Chinese Restaurant. The food was quite delicious.

At around 4 we started towards Panchgani, to take a look at the strawberry fields. We came across Bagicha Corner, a crowded cafe who had their own strawberry farm. We went there, had a nice time in their garden and saw the strawberry farm. We did not forget to have their yummy strawberry ice cream.

Our next destination was Mapro Food Park. There was a long queue of cars lined towards the entrance. We somehow managed to park. There is an entire area for photoshoot. It was decorated beautifully for Christmas. We were lucky to be there in this festive season.

Mapro is a foodie's delight. Inside the store there were innumerable shelves filled with yummy treats. There were jellies, squashes, juices, candies, chocolates and plenty of other delicacies. There were many counters where they were letting us taste so many things. We shopped candies from there before leaving.

Music: Paradise

Musician: @iksonmusic

In the evening we went to the Main Market of Mahabaleswar. I did not take any pictures. Its a crowded market full of shops selling woollen garments, clothings, wooden handicrafts, footwear and food items. We went to Elisa's Bakery situated in the centre of the market. It is an old bakery, with a very modest decor, hardly attractive. I was left jaw-struck at the variety of food they had to offer. It had all the items we had learnt from grandma's kitchen, from puffs to pies, in its authentic form. We bought our Christmas Rum Plum Cake, Marsh mellows and Walnut-Almond cakes. 

For dinner, we went to the most popular cafe around the market, Café Peter. The outside courtyard was decorated for Christmas. Santa was distributing sweets to the kids. The food is excellent and very fairly priced. We had a delicious meal of pizzas and pasta.

This post will be incomplete without the mention of the hotel where we stayed. Hotel Dreamland is situated near the Mahabaleswar ST Bus Stand. Its a huge property, with cottages, swimming pool, Executive suites, strawberry farm, multiple play areas, fountains, chocolate shop, spa, wine & dine with Live music and karaoke and their own bistro. The hotel was being decorated for Christmas. It surely added to the charm of its beauty. 

Mahabaleswar is a nice place for a short trip. With picturesque view and ample of fresh farm strawberries to enjoy, its surely is a remarkable destination for travellers.