5 out-of-the-box activities to do this Christmas season

 

The holiday season is here and the antennae are already buzzing to get the best deals on activities to do this year end. Apart from the usual 31^st night party time, the next predictable activity that one ends up engaging in is shopping! Well, the demonetization has taken the sizzle out as spare cash goes missing! So, want to do something different this Christmas? Tired of the usual noise, traffic, queues and maddening crowds?

Here are five events that you can check out:

1.      Star Gazing and Camping at Dehne on 24th-25th Dec'16

This is your answer to an ideal quiet holiday celebration - being one with nature, enjoying the gentle velvety nocturnal breeze and perhaps catching a shooting star. Keep that ultimate wish ready in case you to do come across one.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1783922458538023/

2.      Nature Meets Ancient Culture on 17^th-18^th Dec’16

 

History buff anyone? Sanjay Gandhi National Park is proposing a unique camp where you can learn about the famous Kanheri Caves from the expert Dr. Suraj Pandit (Head of Departments of History and Ancient Culture at Sathye College, Mumbai). Dr. Suraj has studied these ancient caves extensively for more than a decade and his studies and explorations have earned him his PhD degree from Mumbai University. You’ll spend the night at the campsite and even learn about the stars.

https://www.facebook.com/events/226357197786060/

3.      AO Trekkers Lake Side Camping New Year Special – 31^st Dec-1^st Jan’17

Saltar Lake.. No, it is not in Leh! It is in your own backyard; in Aamby Valley, about 50kms from Lonavala. It is a lesser-known place and is best in winter months with the mist, mountains and mystery surrounding it. Not for the faint-hearted though.. It is also surrounded by a dense jungle. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1591450337829491/

 4.      The Grub Fest, Mumbai – 23^rd-25^th Dec’16

For the foodies! Savour Christmas goodies and specialities at Kurla-Phoenix Market City. Taste the Christmas spirit and spread the Christmas cheer

https://www.facebook.com/events/270879323314636/

5.      The Christmas Special Camping at Mahableshwar- Panchgani: 23^rd-25^th Dec’16

Event Theme: “HUM-TUM” Guys V/S Gals - let’s see who is best?

Food not for you? Go camping in the queen of hill stations around Mumbai. The hills of Mahableshwar are known for its variety of flora and fauna and the weather is to die for! Err.. not literallyJ

Imagine a camping trip with such beautiful surrounding, delicious food and the opportunity to make new friends. Our Theme of camping will surely make this camping unforgettable.

https://www.facebook.com/events/436243573166133/

Have you tried the morning ferry to Alibag?

A bunch of us colleagues decided to take a ferry to Alibaug one Friday morning to spend the day frolicking on the beach of Varsoli. One friend suggested we take the early morning 6.15 ferry and everyone shut her up. Finally it was decided to meet up at 6.30 to take the 7.00 am ferry to Mandwa Port. 

We met up and bought our tickets. Since there was still time to depart, we engaged in nation's best time-pass - clicking selfies and groupies. 

 

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is at its magnificent best at sunrise! It is worth the effort just to go there in the morning and pose in front of the majestic monument. The golden hue cast upon its creamy exterior is like honey poured over butterscotch. There was a couple out there getting the pre-wedding shoot done and they made a pretty picture dressed in their finery.

It was finally 7 and time to leave. We mounted the ferry anticipating a pleasant ride and we were right! There is a certain charm in taking the ferry than going in a speed boat that takes only 15 minutes to get to the other side. The ferry usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour. 

As soon as the ferry took off a bunch of wily sea gulls started following us hoping to get food. Their silent demands were met. The gush of water that the ferry leaves behind is mesmerising and the view that we leave behind is an optic of Bombay that we rarely see. Far off, if you are alert enough, you see the tiny humps of dolphin jumps. You may think it is a mirage but not always! On the way, you'll see a set of ducks 'floating' around making you wonder what they must be doing so far out in the sea.

At the end of an hour, we reached Mandwa Port. It is a well-maintained port from where a 'coach' takes us to the mainland. The coach ride is included in the ferry tickets. The tariff ranges from Rs. 105 to Rs. 165. I recommend the upper deck that gives you a taste of the sun, wind, sky, water, birds and breathtaking view around you. It is an absolute delight for amateur and professional photographers as well.

One sad thing is the bad hygiene practices of the riders as well as the ferry operators. They sell stuff to eat but do not have visible bins to throw the garbage and more often than not it ends up n the waters.Do think of carrying a portable garbage bag with you to leave the least carbon footprint behind.

Varsoli beach