Sunset, Devgad Fort

It was long back in May 2009.

It was our second bike trip. We reached the Devgad Fort by late afternoon. There was a sudden thunderstorm approaching from the east. There was great running about as we hastily put all our equipment into waterproof bags and huddled near the temple. The storm was low and it was moving fast. It passed over the fort, spewing its contents, and out into the sea. Within half an hour the rain had gone. I clicked this photo in the beautiful light as the sun went down towards the horizon. It is Unmesh on the wall; reaching out to the clouds — the remnants of the fiesty storm.

Photo shot on the Panasonic LX3

EoY 2009

Percy and Harishchandragad

2009 has finished. It brought me peace.


Malshej Ghat


Dinya looking at the sunset


MTDC cottages


Chota and Dinya


3 Idiots


Pimpalgaon dam reservoir


Wild Flowers























NOTE: To view all photos in larger size, click on them to visit their flickr page and then click 'all sizes' from the icons on top of the photo.

Sunset flowers

घाणेरी (Ghaneri) on the road side, catching the setting sun's light

A couple of weeks back, on a Sunday, I travelled to pune to meet the family and especially Chiu. She had sweetly repeated "Abhi kaka Abhi kaka Abhi kaka" on the phone many times and I had to meet her.

On the 14 Unmesh got very restless so we headed (very late) for Sinhagad on his Unicorn. But we were Very late. So we ended up watching the sun set over Khadakwasla instead. Did some contemplation. Clicked some photos. And headed back.

Next day we got up early 5am and left for Mumbai on the bike. The Unicorn is a good bike. On the westerly bypass from Warze to Dehu Road it was super chilly and I was shivering all the time. It eased of later. At Lonavala we had an early tea on a roadside tapri.



घाणेरी (Ghaneri)


Sunset

To Matheran (part VI) : of day wonderings and the exit

sunset at echo point

Next day we went out for lunch and came back only after dinner having roamed around aimlessly. At the lake we were invaded by a school picnic. Caught the setting sun at Echo point. The sky lit up crazily for about 5 minutes 10 minutes after sunset with fantastic colours when the upper clouds still reflected the set sun's light.

Next day we got up early - 5am - and left by 05:50. It was an 90 minute walk to Dasturi. We crossed a mini dust cloud in the village were teams of 2 sweepers were cleaning the main street in tandem. Then there were the early leavers, mostly on horse back or the early sunrise seekers also on horseback. We trodded on on foot.

At Dasturi, the bikes were warmed up, helmets collected from the shop there, bodies wrapped for the bike ride - and on the way we were. The sun was just rising and the low hills were just poking theirs heads out from the fog shrouded valley. It was comfortably cold. Then we crossed the hump at the Neral fork and entered the valley on the other side. The sun, which was a white disk till now, suddenly completely vanished and we were immersed in the thick fog. Visibility came down to a few meters and all the denizens of the road switched their lights on. It became teeth chattering cold. Water condensed on everything, including the eyelashes. Thus we rode into Karjat, wet, shivering, from this unrelentingly cold white world.

Here we found warmth in tea, vada pav's and kanda bhaji's. All fresh from the stove. Then we headed back to our old world ...

Note: All the photos have details which are better enjoyed in larger size: click on the image and then 'all sizes'. They are part of the Matheran Dec 2009 set on Flickr.


flowers on the lake Charlotte


Lake Charlotte


Tea under the trees


overgrown


old house


old house


broken wall


ghat


fog shrouded valley

To Matheran (part V) : Night at the house

Relaxing after we reached home

So after food and rambling around in the night, we went home to roost. We were tired. We relaxed. Cracked jokes from a different dimension. Talked. Photographed sundry stuff around.

Matheran with its heavy rains and being in the clouds for 2-3 months every year takes a heavy toll on all material which do not like water. Iron supplies rust super fast. Other things rot if not taken care of. The monkeys make it necessary to bar and grill and mesh everything. You dare not leave any doors or windows open otherwise ...



Percy


rust


an old lock


anti monkey grill


decay


gates


'on'

To Matheran (part IV) : Night Ramblings

where the path meets the road

After the sunset we left to find food and take in the village and its lights. I love photographing in the night. The darkness and the light are very moody. The shadows makes mundane things appear interesting and mysterious. To capture that feeling and ambiance is the interesting challenge.

A few years ago, on my first trip to Matheran with Batata, I had roamed the streets in the night armed with a tripod and my Dynax 5 film camera.

The photos are best enjoyed in large size to see all the details of the night. Click on them to go to their flickr page and do 'all sizes' to see the larger version. They are part of the Flickr Matheran Dec 2009 Set.



Harshu's house


Tiwari's place in the background


Street Scene


an entrance


small restaurant, freshly painted


resort for the tourists


barred entrance


a house and a board


door


fence


a cross


chatting while I photograph


street lamps and wires


wall and path


overgrown


cobbler


giant wheel


decked up, come into my parlor