Blogging 1st time --- ’अबु’च्या आठवणी

आपल्याच देशात आपल्याच लोकात शिवबा एक स्वराज्य उभे करु शकत नाही? as Rajmata Jijabai asked Shivba (Shivaji Maharaj) for centuries ago, my mother fired me, आपल्याच देशात आपल्याच लोकात कसली आली भिती? भारतीय घटनेने बहाल केलेल्या संचार स्वातंत्र्याचा लाभ आपण घेतलाच पाहिजे. for two years ago. And our tours started with first to Bangalore-Ooty then Simla-Manali, then Kolkata-Darjeeling, then Keral and now Rajasthan.

  24th Oct 2010, Myself,Aai,Baba,Mai mavshi & kaka, Tai mavshi & Kaka, total 7 persons
reached at Bandra Terminus at around 7pm. our Train 'Aravali Express' was scheduled to
depart at 9pm.
As usual we were so early and our ladies department started shouting us. Meanwhile I went
on platform with the reservation putting in my pocket to check whether AC is switched On
in our 2AC compartment, and surprisingly I met my Jijaji Mr. Shailesh Velankar outside our
compartment. my jiju, Poonamtai and dear li'l Shruti (my niece) came from Thane just to
wish us happy journey at around 8 pm at Bandra Terminus. I felt so happy and there at
realized that my tour is going to be safe and one of the memorable as many well-wishers

were already with us.


 Home made fresh food prepared by my mom and mavshi (entire day 24th oct wasting in only 1 job, oops! sorry) had taken out from a bag and our compartment became a five-star dinner hall. berths also we got like a cabin, of course I booked our all tickets on net (tighting my collar) तो इतना तो होना ही था.  We slept with a sweet dream and were hoping that our train will not be detained.

  25th, at 09:52 am sharp, we reached Rajasthan, Abu Road, the first station in the
rajasthan state. We emerged out of the 'Aravali Express' with the vote of thanks as we had
arrived exactly 8 min prior to arrival time. अल्विदा 2 अरावली express. As soon as I came out of Abu Road station, 4-5 local men ran over me asking, 'Sir, Abu Abu ... 400 rs only sir.
second man- 350 sir. Third one 300 rupayya sir'. I am also a human being man! I finalised
with the '300 rupayya wala'. and the first journey began... Abu road station to Mount abu

(just 30 km).

Reached our destination, Rising Sun Retreat Resort, checked-in and relaxed. Had a bath with hot water, had a garma-garam lunch (it was so tasty) आणी पहिली वामकुक्षी घेतली.  The car of the hotel was not available at that time for sightseeing. so we came out of hotel at around 3:30 pm to search for a taxi. Luckily we got it nearby and fixed it for Rs400 for 4 points + hotel drop. First he (taxi driver) took us to 'Nakki Lake'. After seeing the lakes in Ooty and Kodai, it was like 'nalla', we captured some photos, omitted boating and proceeded further. 'Om Shanti Bhavan' by Prajapita brahmakumari trust was the next point, driver told us not to wait for the lecture but the old man (mostly priest) forcefully took us in a hall and philosophy झाडायला सुरुवात केली.  मै कौन हूं? मै आत्मा हूं वगैरे वगैरे...  अर्धा तास खाल्ला म्हातारयाने.

 Then the achleshwar Temple, self-existing शंकराची पिंड we saw. their I met a very young boy asking for hiring a guide. He explained him very nicely and finally he said some sher ...
’ चाय की पत्ती के बिना चाय पीने का क्या मजा, राकेशकुमार जैसा गाईड ना हो तो घुमने क क्या मजा?’
our day ended with the loud laugh..laugh...laugh