Traffic flows like tar along the highways out of Mumbai these weekends. With the easing of travel restrictions and the simultaneous start of work, people need a break. Mumbai’s youth always had a rite of passage. A teenager would join friends for a trip to the nearest hills in monsoon. Monsoon rains trickle down from the hills over impermeable volcanic basalt. These seasonal streams falls over the frequent cliff faces in these hills to make monsoon waterfalls. Gangs of the young spend drunken weekends under random waterfalls . Even decades removed from that age, The Family still longs to get out to the waterfalls every monsoon. In trying to avoid these crowds we decided to walk around Lonavala one Thursday afternoon.
We drove up for an early lunch and then exited on to the road leading to the lake. Pandemic restrictions have not gone completely. Just past the embankment was a police checkpost where a few people were turned away. We looked decrepit enough to be allowed through. “What are they checking for?” The Family wondered. My speculation was that they are denying the right of passage to gangs of the nearly-adult. Bad times for them. Not only do you face a tough negotiation with parents, but then it comes to nought because of the police. “Your three cameras are passport enough for us,” The Family declared. It was an overstatement; one was a phone.
It had started raining, and it would continue all evening. I wished I had fewer cameras with me. I couldn’t bring out one because of the rain. Even the waterproof camera gets drops over its lens in rain. I huddled over it to dry the cover. The rain had grayed the lake. The clouds had come down over it, hiding the far side. I loved the serenity of the place. Could it make a decent photo? I wasn’t sure as I clicked away. You can always delete things which don’t turn out halfway decent.
On the far side a stream staggers down a cliff every monsoon. We ambled round to it. It had attracted a few other people. Some couples, a family with exuberant children, a small group of young people. The light was getting worse. We didn’t have the right footwear for getting close enough to it. We looked at the falling water for a while and then moved away. Across the road there was an attractive symmetrically spreading tree. It deserved to have its portrait taken.
Even in these sparse crowds a couple of people were trying to run a business. A middle-aged man was selling roasted bhutta (corn). A more enterprising lady was offering everything from her version of a food truck. From under that awning I spotted a group of hikers walking up the slope towards the top of the waterfall. “They have the same footwear as us,” The Family remarked. The lady asked “Do you want a tea?” The Family was torn, but then decided on the tea.
From the perspective of the UK, where we have lots of rain, but no rainy season, it’s hard to see the attraction of going out in the monsoon. But you’re doing your best to persuade me!
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Thanks. It is warm, in case you find that a positive argument.
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Erm … no.
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🙂
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I don’t think I’d be out in that weather. 🙂
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Each to their own 🙂
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Well I.J., kudos to you and the family for braving monsoon season. Although I’m not a fan of rain I too would be out there if faced with weeks of it. I’d be stir crazy staying indoors for an entire season. And clearly you were not alone out there! LOL for the youngsters misbehaving (as they are wont to do) under the waterfalls! Enjoyed walking along with you for this one.
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Thanks. Yes, can’t sit indoors again this year for certain
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You really convey the atmosphere if these rainy walks so well 🌧🌧
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Thanks
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When travel, rain can cause some inconvenience. The waterfall is a great capture. I love the third image, beautiful composition, and you captured the calmness. That tree is very special. Thank you for sharing, IJ!
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A pleasure to share this. Thanks for the kind words
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I think it looks interesting, and the tea must have been heavenly. A warm rain is sometimes fun, but yes, makes it tough for photos. Anyway..a nice walk. Donna
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Thanks. Yes, the tea was a welcome break
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Love the roadside shop. There are lots of them in the Philippines too.
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Thanks. They are so convenient
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I know right. 👍🏼
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A very special walk. I don’t think I would have followed on this one…but loved the tree.
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Thank you
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Excellent.
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Thanks
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I totally get going out in the monsoon. The rain is such a blessing and so hard, and fast – a beauty of nature. Your shots turned out lovely.
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Thanks
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🙂
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I’d have been awfully tempted by the waterfall. Autumn street food here is roast chestnuts and I love them. In the next few weeks…
Thanks for joining me, I.J.
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I like the smell of chestnuts. Roasted corn rubbed with lime, salt and chili flakes is just the thing for a monsoon walk
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