We all once again visited Amboli between 31st May to 4th June. It was again a wonderful experience visiting with near and dear ones. It was relaxing trip for Nilay who recently was operated on Appendicitis at Ruby clinic on 25th May and was discharged on 29th May. Dr. Ratta did the surgery and indeed allowed us to take him on vacation that we had planned. Baba from Vengurla, Datta-Raju-Hriya and Arin from Margaon, Satish-Varsha-Arya from Campal, Suman and Krisha from Dona Paula and we from Pune. Nilay almost forgot that he was operated and started playing, running, jumping with his cousins as if he is normal. If he would have stayed in Pune he definitely would have more concerned about his wound incision rather than playing outside.
This time the trip was more for relaxation. Just be yourself. No sight seeing. No moving around. Wake up at the time you want, have breakfast, take a stroll, play badminton, have lunch, take a nap, in the evening have a walk again play badminton, have dinner and then sit in varanda of the MTDC cottages all together and chat till late night. That was all the program that we had this time!
This time also we enjoyed the clouds and fog here. The cool breeze that was flowing across made all of us cool. It was really very pleasant climate to the extent it gave impression as if we are in valleys of Himalayas. It was so in the afternoon just after we had lunch on 2nd June! I captured it on video and will try to upload it on fb as I could not transfer that clip via blue tooth connection to any of our family member's mobile. One should enjoy this unique experience of being in cloud in May at Amboli. We have already passed a resolution to stay at Amboli for 4-5 days in family rooms of MTDC every year in May. Let us see how we adhere to our resolution.
Besides fog and cloud we will cherish memories of heavy rain in Amboli. It trains like cats and dogs. Very difficult to see object few feet away and if there are clouds on the road then it makes driver's job miserable. One has to be very careful, especially during the first rain which makes road slippery. But walking in the jungles of Amboli and getting wet in its heavy rains is an experience in itself.
The climate is cool. You do not need AC rooms. Even fans speed one has to slow down to avoid getting chilly in the night. Couple of times in the night power went off - no AC, no fan but still we had to take blankets to protect our self from the chill!
Another important thing is we are very much compatible with MALVANI food that we get here. At Hotel Green Palace managed by Dhuri you get excellent chiken (kombadi vade), fish thatli and tisrya (shells). Meal at Green Valley is also nice. In the breakfast you should enjoy Poha, Shira, Uppit at Green Valley resort.
Amboli still has maintained a good jungle. It is located at height of 690 meters – around 2200 feet above sea level in Sayhadri Mountain
Now-a-days you see lots of plots being developed. These are the signs of Amboli getting commercialized like Matheran and Mahabaleshwar. If you ask local resident how was Amboli 15-20 years ago they will tell you stories that nobody used to dare to go towards Amboli side after 6 in the evening. It used to be terrifying feeling to go into the jingle full of wild animals and haunted spots in Amboli after 6 pm - I am sure you hardly will believe in these stories if you visit Amboli today. The plots and lands are getting costlier. 15 years ago probably you could have had chance to purchase a plot of few acres at amount less than Rs. 5000 /- today it will fall in lacs.
I also could see lot of people coming here for tourism - not only from Maharashtra but also from other states. With tourists comes other things. You see lot of plastics - bags, bottles, packages,wrappers, plates, liquor bottles thrown into lush green bushes of Amboli. That is not a good sight. The nature and jungle at Amboli must be maintained and who will do that - we! On account of this world environment day - 5th June, I think we should all make conscious attempts to refrain from spoiling nature. I have taken a picture of a tree and plastic bottle thrown at its base by visitors and posted it on fb. It is shear coincidence that posting was done on 5th June - world environmental day! But as I mentioned better to have understanding among our self and let us be careful to protect the nature or else down the line 20 years Amboli would never remain hill station!
5th June 2011
World Environment Day
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