Monday, November 11, 2024

Amba ghat

A quick weekend getaway in our Tulja(our swanky new EV) to Amba Ghat. Well that was the plan and what happened is so much more... Amol & me set out at 4:30 am from home with full charge in our car and our spirits. The roads were lovely, dark and deep and just the sublime view of Zuari bridge at this unearthly hour compensated for the inconveniences of an early morning start. We got to Rajapur in good time. And then not so good time started . 1 failed EV charging and 3 non working charging stations stressed us out completely. We retraced our steps back by 50 km just to charge Tulja. So in 100 kms of wasted driving and 4 hours of wasted time ,we bonded swell.Also we did reach the Riverside country resort just in time for lunch
We walked in as 2 disheveled,hungry people into a dining room of erudite nephrologists of repute and their families.But the kind people did not judge us and made quick friends.
Kayaking , Burma rope bridge walking, guided nature walks , evening academic session enriched by the chronicles of an ultra cyclist nephrologist(Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 12 days) & new friends made over dinner made this getaway so special.
Early morning I had the priveledge of driving in the ultra cyclists car Sharing space in the car with Dr Prakash and family felt like a pilgrimage by proxy aka When one returns from a pilgrimage just being with that person is like being part of the spiritual journey. Dr Prakash is a trained Nephrologist. He ucompleted an ardorous race but credits his wife Dr Kranti who was part of the crew that guided him to completion. 3873 kms of cycling valahal The nature walk with swathes of grass on the plateau moving like the sea waves in the breeze was magical. The trivia about the Sahyadri flora and fauna by a brilliant guide made this a trip of a lifetime
The karvi/ kurunji poo( of the Nilgiri fame) which has inflorescense once in 12 years.
The tree which has flowers of different smells. Multiplex of nature, this tree is bare for most of the year.
Tunnel shaped cobwebs weaving spiders
We thanked Dr Ambekar profusely