Jammu & Kashmir with My SLR D3100

Vaishnovdevi, Jammu & Kashmir trip from 14AUG to 21AUG 2011.
Very good plan by Suhas and arrangement by Sohan. We covered lot of places in just 7 days.. was hectic but enjoyed. Our travel in brief ..
Mumbai to Jammu by air 4 hrs - Jammu to Katra (base of vainovdevi temple) by car 3hrs - Katra to Vaishnovdevi templale and back by walk 12 hrs - from Katra to Patnitop 4 hrs - At Patnitop Baba Gawah mandir, JKTDC garden, Apple Garden - from Patnitop to Pehalgam 5 hrs - At Pehalgam Kanimarg, Waterfall, Kashmir view, Daggar, Baisaran(Switzerland), by horse-riding and then Mamal Mandir, Aru Wildlife park, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari (start of Amaranth yatra). - from Pehelgam to Gulmarg 4 hrs - At Gulmarg Khilanmarg and apharwat peaks by Gondola cable car - from Gulmarg to Srinagar 3 hrs - from Srinagar to Sonamarg 5 hrs - At Sonamarg Satte pe satta, Ram teri ganga maili, Ice bridge by horse riding - from Sonamarg to Srinagar 4 hrs - At Srinagar Dal Lake(Nehar park, Golden Dal Sarover, Gulfaam serial set, Mission Kashmir set) by Shirakara boad ride, Shankaracharya temple, Ghashmeshahi garden, pari mahal, Nishat garden and last Hazaratbal mosque.- from Srinagar to Mumbai by Air 5 hrs.
( entire trip cost was around 23 K - 8 k for flight, 8 K for car and hotel booking and rest 7 K for sightseeing (horse riding, cable car, food, etc). its possible to save on sightseeing at pehelgam, gulmarg and sonamarg by bargaining)
SLR.... finally its with me..just one day before trip i purchased SLR Nikon D3100...i went to Alpha just to check price but when i came to know its 3k less than other sites.. i decided to purchase it... after long research and as per many opinions ...this was best model in my budget.. now its time to learn it and use it in next few days.. :P

We started early morning on 14th AUG from Mumbai.. flight was on time and we were at Jammu at 10:30.. from Jammu we headed towords Katra.. we were unaware of historical rush at Katra.. our car was literally crawling... it took 3-4 hrs to reach Katra .... at Katra we had heavy lunch and at around 5:30 we started towards Vaishnovdevi temple... Thanks to Uncle(with whom we did entire trip booking for car and hotel) he has kept entry ticket ready for us.. or we might have spent 3-4 hrs for ticket itself.. really that was historical rush around 4-5 lac ppl were there..
we started keeping in mind that it will take 4-5 hrs to reach to temple ... two dudes (Suhas and Rahul) decided to walk bare feet with us.. its really tough if you don't have practice. but when you look at aged ppl climbing it.. you get lot of inspiration..
we were heading with different speed... At the end i was separated from everyone .. but i decided to walk and then reach at the temple gate at around 9:30 pm.. and decided to wait there... everyone join me in next 20 mins.. we had almost covered 20 kms in 4-5 hrs.. amazing..
There was horrible rush at the temple.. within some time we realize that we have to stand in around 4km long queue.. that too starting from top... and before standing in queue we have to keep our mobile and sleepers in lockers..for that also there was huge line.. everyone on thinking now what to do.. everyone was very tiered.. we were walking beside the line.. and suddenly what happen is .. "there is single line.. and some ppl in line started fighting as someone was trying to get into line.. and because of this gap generated... just beside from where we walking.. without even waiting for a sec we get in to line.. just out side of temple ... :)..".. but we had floaters and mobiles with us.. now what to do..???.. we left our floaters in the queue itself.. and went it..
there were around 7 gates (check post) before entering temple.. we went thru and had "Darshan" in next 1 hr..and we we came out we got our floaters also.. it was really like. ..."Mata ne bulaya hai.. to wo sab dekh legi..".."Jai Mata Di.."..
at around 12 we started our return journey.. we all were hungry but we decided not not have anything or it will be difficult to go down... 3 of us were bare feet.. and it was really hard to walk without floaters.. we exchanged floaters.. in round robin fashion.. all were waking with diff speed.. after some time it was really tough to walk.. but we didn't stop.. at around 6 AM we reach down.. in 12 hrs we covered almost 30-35 km.. our whole body was paining.. but we completed it.. really "Jai Mata Di"...

after coming back to hotel we took medicine and took rest for 3-4 hrs.. at 12 we woke up and started towords "Patni top"... at around 5 pm we reach PatniTop.. climate was really awesome..
we had tea there and went for walk.. PatniTop is really very good place to have rest..
next day we started towards Pehelgam.. Pehelgam climate and cottage was also awesome.. our trip was in off season but in Patnitop and Pehelgam climate, we really felt like being in Kashmir..it was awesome exp..
next day we started sightseeing .. first time in my life i did horse riding.. my horse name was Arjun..he was racing horse.. :).. ( Ashish wiht Diwana, Sohan with Karan, me with Arjun, Rahul with Dharma and Suhas with Veer).. we did horse riding for almost 3 hrs.. it was superb...
after sight seeing( Kanimarg, Waterfall, Kashmir view, Daggar, Baisaran(Switzerland)) we had lunch in pehelgam market(Nattus Rasoi) and then we covered some points Mamal Mandir, Aru Wildlife park, Apple garden etc and then we booked private taxi(900Rs) to visit Betaab Valley, Chandanwari (starting point of Amarnath yatra). at Chandanwari first time we saw ice in our visit :)...
Next day we started from pehelgam to gulmarg.. in Gulmarg as per instructions we got( not to talk with any ppl there, dont take horse ) we straight away walked towards Gondola cable car ticket house..took ticket for first level (Rs 300)... and did sight seeing.. unfortunately 2nd level was closed for maintenance from where its possible to see border ..also Pakistan..
so we spent some time at first level and came back.. (some stories we heard about gulmarg - one couple did sight seeing in Gulmarg and spend almost 28 k Rs which is not at all worth..and couple of military men who argued with ppl at gulmarg was beaten by abt 2oo ppl... it was so horrible)..
From gulmarg we started towards Srinagar...Srinagar where we had to stay for 3 nights .. was very HOT.. its not at all ideal for stay...
Next day early morning we went to Sonamarg.. 2nd time we saw ice.. stories were same as gulmarg.. but we enjoyed skating and horse riding there... Sonamarg exp was also good..
last day we have srinagar sights in plan.. in morning we did shikara ride in Dal lake (in 800 Rs) for 4-5 hrs.. it was really worth and we enjoyed a lot.. did lot of shopping also .... everyone should do it.. after ride we visited Shankaracharya temple...
on later half of the day we visited diff gardens in srinagar.. Ghashmeshahi garden, pari mahal, Nishat garden... in Pari Mahel we got a chance to see some Paris also..:P...
finally we visited Hazaratbal mosque.

In 7 days we visited almost 7 places and covered almost 30 points.. it was awesome trip..I personally like Patni Top best place to stay and have rest and Pehelgam for sight seen..


---- Suhas, Sohan, Rahul, Ashish and Amey

https://picasaweb.google.com/104836393452781904053/JKWithDSLR3100?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYsNmQm5Ti2wE

https://picasaweb.google.com/115737735341877165595/JammuKashmirTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCNnCybCBzKGp0gE

Ganapati Pule...My First Overnight trip with College Friends..

Ganapati Pule...My First Overnight trip with College Friends....after college.. the first one during college was Chennai.. the unforgettable one..
as usual plan decided suddenly and executed... Its first time after college so only 7 was there out of many...but glad that we completed it..
From last 2 days me and Harshal moving around for booking car and accommodation... and got a comfortable and reasonable deal ...
on 22nd April MumbaiIndians vs Chennai Super Kings IPL match going on (IPL3 finalist).. but we have to start our journey .. we started at around 10:00 pm... Lata and Abhi was already waiting at Meghnas house .. they join us within 5 mins.. next pickup was of Rohit.. he join us with latest update of Match....and within few minutes we were on WEHighway.. at goregaon Sweta join us.. and now we are ready to run on wheels with a some fav songs.. "Char Baj gaye.. lekin party abhi baki hai.." what a song for a moment...
Its long time ... we met with each other.. not very long though.. but still everyone was bit quite.. especially our starperformar Abhi too..i guess he was feeling sleepy.. but someone or the other trying to make some noice to keep the env lively.. and my songs (this time the list was good... atleast everyone was able to pick their fav songs in it..:P)...
we were missing other friends who were not able to make out due to some reasons.. Tushar, Krishna, Waqar, Ganesh, Savita...we decided to call them one by one.. but what the ****... no one was picking up the call.. finally the great Tushar Ambekar pick up the call .. who was on the Astavinayak trip which family and hence not able to speak any bad words on phone.. but at the same time we were free.. so we utilized that moment completely ...hahahahha
at around 2, 2:30 we stop to take tea break.. it was very HOT outside.. even in the night..:(...
after this break .. most of us was feeling sleepy.. so everyone went to sleep.. expect me, Rohit and Harshal..we were awake but quite.. after some time Rohit also went down and then at around 5 me too.. award goes to Harshal who didn't or couldn't sleep for whole night.. bravo...:)
at 7:30 we reach at Ganapati Pule.. oh hoo.,, but check in time was at 11:00 am.. now what?.. we requested reception to arrange a room at least to get fresh.. and he was very nice .. that he clean up their own room for us to use for 1 hr.."This happen only in India!"...
Hotel was new and hence clean too.. good deal... one by one we completed our morning tasks and after abt an hr headed towards beach..we wanted to visit temple first but no one had take bath...
In between we had breakfast "Garam Garam Pohe." and "typical gavathi misal pav".. at one one of the local hotel.. this misal cost me a lot during return journey but first exp was good :P..
after 15 mins walk..we reach near temple..which is beside a clean beach.. with white water. awesome view.. we started playing cricket there.. it was fun.. ppl were watching our game.. not many but still. someone was :P... withing couple of innings we were so tired bcoz of heat..we hav to stop our game.. :(.. then we had coconut water and took rest in shade beside beach.. awesome experience..
still that clean water was tempting us from heart but body was completely tiered.. ohhhhhhhhhffff..... Harshal and Lata went first.. after some time me and then Abhi and Rohit.. as soon as water touch our body all tiredness was gone.. and we played like anything there...in the water.. there also missing some stuntman Prathmesh, Tushar and Krishna.. who would have went much inside the water and we might have had to stop them...:).... after some time Sweta and Meghana come there and took some nice snaps.. Thanks to both ...:)
at 11:30 we started back .. glad we had already completed our one spot (beach) and task (cricket) .... :D..again we had to walk for 20 mins to reach to hotel in that terrible heat.. and bodybuilder abhishek (missing his TShirt after fun in water) walking on the road.. where all girls looking ...oh sorry!..steering at him.. hahahahhahahah...
we return to hotel completely tired... one by one we had bath.. and little nap.. at around 2-2:3o.. we started again.. went to temple this time first.. awesome temple as i already told..
after that.. we had lunch in the same hotel where we had breakfast.. and yes after waiting for 1 hr.. can you imagine 1 hr waiting in small local hotel.. "Gharguti jevanasathi lok kahihi karu shaktat!"..

after lunch we started to visit ..Jaigad Fort .. it took around an hr to reach there.. everyone was very tired and it was very hot outside .. that no one was in position to do any mast.. we all took a quick nap..
On fort we took some fantastic snaps.. utilizing all camera functions.. :P.... it was awesome view from that fort.." why none of the forts are maintained but??"...after doing TP there for about an hour and half we started back.. it was already 5 and there was no time to visit any other place coz we didn't wanted to miss sunset.. coz it was the only one evening we were going to be there...
this journey was rocked by Abhishek and Rohit was their dancing performance on koligeet.... other was completely frustrated with those songs.. but we just dont want to miss that performance :P...hahahahah ..
it was around half an hr remaining for sunset when we came back near temple.. but we saw a nice aquarium ad there.. we just moved ahead and saw another ad for the same.. and we decide to visit that.. coz we still had time and from add it was appearing very interesting.. so we moved ahead in search of the same.. after every 50 miters there is was a ad for the same.. our excitement was rising.. finally after watching so many ads and 15 mins drive we reach at the spot.. and what.. you cant image. it was just a small place with some group of peoples collected some fish tanks .. (i guess mostly from each house where ever that ad was hanging :P ).. and arranged nicely in small area.. and charged 15 bugs to watch that.. " what an idea sirji!"..
all marketing students must what it.. awesome marketing...
after spending some time there we immediately came back to beach to watch sunset.. ohhhhhh. but clouds was there.. could see clean view of it..
Then we decided to take a round of temple.. it was very good jogging track like path.. prepared around the temple .. covered with very nice garden prepared in the center .... and small temples in between the path.. it took around half an hr for us to complete that round.. but worth it was.. awesome.. then we again visited temple and did some shopping .. and went back to hotel..
Everyone was completely tired.. "but hello we are here to spend night.. how can anyone sleep"... that was debate topic between us when we return to room as half of ppl want to sleep.... but i missed that discussion coz i was taking bath at that time... but experience the results though as we immediately started playing UNO after that.. :D.. we played UNO for about an hour.. while eating "chivda" from Rohit.. it was very testy and we were very hungry..
Then at around 10:30 we went out to have dinner.. had heavy diner after the tired day.. and diner was good too..
We came back to room at around 12... now what?.. then we started playing Bingo.. had to play coz we specially bought a book for it.. then how can we miss it.. :P.. we played a game and then
we started with dumb charades...and this time also this game rock our nights.. ohh we are addicted to it now...
This time start performers was myself, abhishek and Rohit .... rest was supporting with their huge movie database.. this time rocking movies was .. "mukkaddar ka sikkandar"..."Bidai"or "Bidaiyaaaaaaa"..."Andhi".... with abhishek making sound of "dhum" by banging his hand on wall.. ????????.."which sound is this?"..?????...hahahhahahahah.........we couldn't stop laughing when we come to know what was that... ahahahahhahahahha....yeah but now that became one of the sign for the game.. as we used it lot of time after that...guys remember it for next games....
then one movie.. "Zokemon".. "how can anyone guess this movie from monday????????".... this kind of database was there with our opposite team....
after some stunning performances .. we wanted to continue but had to sleep as we want to start early next morning.. so we went to sleep at around 3 pm...
Next morning we had photo session in the room and then we left at around 9 am.. then we had break fast at the same place .. "why i had it?" it was worst for me.. :(... from that moment my stomach got upset.. and entire day was bad for me.. but Thanks that i could service till i came to Borivali....(that was the only bad part of the trip :( )
During return journey we visited parshuram temple and a nice place where all Shri Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj history was shown and we played lot of games.. Antakshari with rapid fire round also.. that was awesome..then truth and dare.. that reveled some secrets .. guys keep it secrets .. let others join us to know it next time... and again dumb charadas..
At around 9 pm we return back..

So this time its was completely FUN trip.. with everyone being understanding and participating.. good one..
--- Amey, Shweta,Harshal, Lata, Abhishek, Rohit, Meghna

BhAANKAASS... in Vikramgad-Divekarwadi

VikramgadDivekarwadi.. is the place we decided after long long discussion.. Good Choice Anagha.. Its nice place for family outing.. A place to have rest with some fun...
Party actually started on Friday 19Feb ... We had diner at BBC ( Borivalis famous chicken biryani center) .. it was awesome as always..from there everyone went home after deciding to meet 7AM in morning.. Me, Ashish and Arvind went to Arvinds home to continue with party.. :)
We did time pass till 3:30 AM watching Arvinds special south indian movie songs.. and playing cards and also magic with card (Ashish that was nice..)..
In morning we woke up at 6:15 AM .. so early after long long time...its really very difficult to wake up so early.. we were ready by 6:45 AM ... Ashish was trying to call Nilesh and Bhavik .. both kaminas was not picking up phone. we though we wont be able to start b4 9AM .. ****
Finally after some time they picked up phone and saved from our "Mar"... Then we had Tea and called up Sush .. they were abt to reach at Borivali... and Nilesh&Bhavik not yet started from Malad..shit... We were discussion that we should tell shalini to go to Thakur Mall and watch morning show.. till the time will will reach there.. :P.. Till the time we started photo session..
After all this "nautanki" we reach to Thakur Mall at 8AM and .... BHAANKAASS started...
and stuck in ****ing traffic .. Full "bhankas" was going on.. Bhavik was asking truckwalas " __ se koi song batao.." pretending "hum log car me antakshari khel rahe hai.." and Nilesh was running behind the car with bow and arrow.. hahahahha.. Then we started dedicating songs to eveyone.. i dont remember songs for everyone but it was fun.. "guys if you rember pls include int the comments"... finally that long traffic is over at Kashimira signal.. and we started in full speed..we had our first halt at some dhabha.. near Manor naka.. We had tea and started ahead..
we were following google maps.. which was not correct unfortunately .. and we lost our way.. but " jo hota hai ache k liye hota hai.. Nilesh baba ne banjar jammen par ban marke pani laya .aur khud gayap ho gaye...nilu baba ki jay.. "
and then HEMAN hold Superman in his hads.. historic moments you must see pics.. hahahahhahaand
also not to miss trailer of DID4... ( Mithun would have jumped off from the bridge if he would have seen that..) :P
after all this nautanki .. we reached resort at 12:30 PM...resort was amazing ... and our room was surrounded by natural beauties.. :)
after about half an hour we started our first event.. Vally crossing.. Vally was around 1000cm deep...:P.. we successfully completed this taks mostly bcoz.. location was surrounded by cheer leaders.. :P...then we had lunch.. after lunch.. event started "shalini ki bidai"... :D .. crying.. emotions.. ..after this event everyone was segregated.. some were taking rest.. some playing TT and Me Ashish and Bhavik were playing Cricket.. its was very enjoying.. after long long time i played cricket.. Bhavik and Ashish became fan of my fielding... :P
After some time we realize that we should play together ... so we assemble in a room.. to play mafia..most diff game .. :P.. Bhavik was explaining the game.. but everyone was in Masti mood.. b/w me and Nilesh started playing antakshri on mobile.. Bhavik got angry :D.... then to change the mood we started playing mendicote...we played couple of games and after that we went out to play outdoor games.. .. after long time i played badminton.. it was very good though becoz of that my both shoulders terribly paining in night.. after games we had tea and came back to room..
Don't want to tell how time spent from then till diner..
Dinner also was very good.. as if we are in GOA.. rest all you can imagine... :P... some medical college girls were stealing our food in front of our giants .. and everyone just steering at them .. cant blame anyone though :P...
everyone was calmly having diner..and self called GOD for the day started.. he was so confused that he was not able to finalize which god he is..finally he appointed assistant.. Chitragupt ... and our Diner was over.. :D
oh ha .. how can i forget Nilesh bringing whole plate of fruit crusted for us.. it was like "Lord Hanuman is bringing sanjeevani for us.." :D
After Dinner the real bhankas started.. we started playing dumb ch-eras .. Show starter of the night was our Anna.. with movie "Roop ki rani Choro ka raja".. everyone was confused from where the the word "Raat" came in to this moview.. :????... Then he was counting the number of words.. and told us"7 words but i will act only 4.. rest you hav to understand..." ??????.. :P.. 7 words?? hahahaha... Bhavik again told him the movie name.. that was hilarious.. awesome act.. i was almost getting cramp in stomach due to laughing.. he might have spent entire night acting that movie but shus guessed the movie name.. it was fun.. you cant imagine....ohhhhhhhhhh.enough..
Then we started acting for D grade movies.. Dont know from where Bhavik got all those names.. someone should chk his laptop.. :P.. wiase if you want a list.. contact Bhavik... :D
At 12 we went out for drive.. it was awesome drive with haunted stories in complete blackout..oooooooo..while coming we saw campfire on ground.. it was tempting in dark cold night..actually it was arranged for medical college .... but who cares..at 1 AM.. we went there and lit it up.. and SAMBHA dance started.. hahahahahahha.. that was height of bhankass...cant explain.. then we sat around campfire .. discussing haunted stories.. everything is happening in one day ... :)..but Bhavik want to listen some good stories.. so i asked him to share his love story.. offffff.. it lasted for 1 hr.. everyone was about to beat me for that.. :P.. (To bhavik story was exciting though.. )..after this I wanted to play truth and dare.. but it was almost 3 AM and fire was also over so we stopped.. after that Anagha, ashish and sud went for drive .. and we continue discussing the our stories....
Everyone came back to room at 4 AM... still charged up.. and laughing like anything.. for small jocks.. hahahahahah...
Morning we woke up at 7 to go to perform remaining events.. rappelling and boating.. it was fun too..
This was summary of events where i was present.. but there are some events which i missed.. lot of things happened in a day..
Trip was full of fun, emotions, masti, anger, fight, timepass, stunts... and so on...awesome outing guys..
------ BHavik, Amey, Anagha, Nilesh, Karishma, Ashish, Arvind , Shrusti, Shalini and guests sud, Raj and Nilam...

https://picasaweb.google.com/114856308818458038979/Bhaankaaass#
https://picasaweb.google.com/sgmakwana/VikramgadhTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCPSD676puOy_Gg