The Parsi Duo in Pune - Dorabjee & Kayani

I made a vow and hoped to keep it. Distractions along the way could prove fatal.

So there I was, early in the morning ready to leave for Pune on an empty stomach. Not sure if I could hold on to my own words. After all I had a simple plan. Bawa no nasto at Dorabjee’s!

In the early days, we would all squeeze into a big car to begin our journey to the Atash Behram. As soon as the car started my mom and aunts would begin the journey by remembering the God with ‘Shno Thare Ahure Mazdao’. Well, all I could dream of was a breakfast feast fit for the Kings.

As soon as we reach; I would always try to beat my brother and all my cousins to the table since I was the slowest eater of the house. It was like my second name. Mom would chant it at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only chocolates were an exception. As soon as I would climb into the chair, the table would be filled with the breakfast spread. With a million options to the way you’d want your eggs; charvelu (scrambled), aakhi dar nu (sunny side up), meva ni akoori (burji), tamota par eedu, pora (omelets), kalaiji ma eedu and much more. And the best part you could gorge on bheja (brains), kalaiji (liver), febsu (offal) and even get sweet surprises like  crispy tareli boi with piping hot rotli and toddy.

To curb by hunger pangs with all the thoughts of food passing by, I grabbed a cold coffee to accompany me on the long drive. Not before long, I stood ahead of something grand that had been an institution for years. The old bungalow had such a charm. I chose to sit by the window.

Having it all planned in my head I dished out the orders as soon as we got there; Akuri, Bheja na cutlets, Bheja Masala, Mutton liver masala and Chicken Biryani. At 11 am it seemed like a Bawa nasto brunch loaded with cholesterol.

The Akuri was soft, luscious and fluffy.  The bheja na cutlets a melt in the mouth madness with the protein being let alone to do the talking with minimal ginger-garlic seasoning. The bheja masala on the other hand was all about bites of onion tomato masala accompanied by creamy bheja. The liver masala best cooked slow on natural wood fire was a delight while the biryani was flavorful but missed the creamy potatoes in them.  The meal was hardly complete without having the custard pudding; however must say I have had much better ones at home made by mom.

It was like having breakfast on the porch of a bungalow and being transported to an idyllic world far way.

As we bid adieu to one iconic establishment we walked the alleys to reach another, the omnipresent Biscuit King in Pune  – Kayani Bakery. My Pune trips always have a mission. To get truck loads of biscuit goodness back home. More times than less getting biscuits feels like getting into a battle field, only that here most times you come out as a winner with bags filled. 

You must sample the classic buttery English cookie that the British left behind in the able hands of Parsis, the Shrewsbury. I like mine dunked in a mug of cold coffee. But there is much more beyond the humble Shrewsbury. I’d place my bet on the Ginger biscuit and mawa cake. Though, a recent entrant that is climbing my favorites chart is the Chocolate orange cookies.

All I was itching to do now is sit in the car and dive in to be consumed by buttery goodness. 

A flowery fairy tale, Kaas

It had to be this year. Each year I would plan to go to Kaas to see the exemplary floral display and then September would stare at me in the eye. This year saw me in a similar situation but I had vowed to go. So there I was, confirming myself for the Jumpstart Outdoors trip.

The day soon arrived, bags packed ready to go road tripping in the Sahyadri for the next two days. The drive was quite comfortable even though it took us 6 hour to reach Satara from Bombay.  We checked in had lunch and were ready to go.

On the way to the Sajjangad fort

The road to Thoseghar falls was flanked by windmill farms, small family homes and cattle grazing merrily.  Just about at the beginning of the Konkan region, the falls show all their majestic might with water falling at a 1000 feet surrounded by lush greens, an incredible pictorial sight. The next was to conquer the mighty Sajjangad fort. For one has to climb a hundred steps to reach the gate of the fort, but once you are at the edge overlooking the valley, you will be amazed to see the landscape that is being painted before your eyes. Well, the day ended with a treat for my sore Bombay eyes.

As the sun looks up early morning

The next morning we headed for the alluring landscapes of Kaas. I must say was indeed happy that everyone in the bus chose to keep their windows open. As the bus started the climb there was a certain nip in the air. The cool misty breeze of the early morning could transport you to a happy place. Along the drive as the sun was rising we took a halt to catch a glimpse.  And what a stunning sight it was. The sun had just started to peek from the corner of the mountain and the village below was covered in mist. I was glad to capture the beautiful moment. Well the morning had indeed started on a happy note. As we drove along the route, we started to catch glimpses of flowers blossom in patches along the way.

And then there was finally the sight of the plateau that guarantees a major adrenalin rush. As you step out of the bus the golden early morning sunlight greets you with warmth hugging arms giving you a glimpse of the flowers indicating the beautiful bounty that lay ahead.

Topli Karvy

A walk along the guided pathways and you are distant enough to explore the bounty to your liking. Open yourself and be receptive to The solitude..The mist in the air..The cool breeze engulfing you and bringing along the flower perfume on the way.. Marvel the sheer beauty of the flowers.. The multiple colors that sooth your eyes and the omnipresent yellow of the sonki flowers along with mauve balsams the flock together.

Greater Cat Ears

Nature has its ways. To make you pause and enlighten you, that everything can be accomplished at a steady pace. The rush and haste that we fill our lives with are indeed not accomplishments, just a way to fill our days.
So every once in a while I let nature do the talking and just be a keen listener.

Few pointers/tips for future planners

      1. The best time period is from 15th – 30th Sept as suggested by a local from Satara who comes each year to the Kaas plateau

      2. The Kaas plateau does have a bounty of flowers but do stop along the way up at multiple locations as you drive towards Kaas plateau. You will be amazed to find rare variety of flowers blossom who are shy at the attention they get at the plateau. You could do this while returning to your hotel

      3.  Do go with a botanist to complete your experience.

      4.  Leave very early at about 5.30 am. As the day proceeds, you will see a surge in the number of people

      5.  Always walk along the marked areas. Do not cross into the fields as you may step and destroy some of the rare ones. Also, there are lots of snakes around this area

      6. The ecosystem around Kaas is fragile. It is our responsibility to protect it for future generations. Lend a helping hand by picking up any plastic bottles and plastic bags that you see along the way and contribute to the Swach Bharat agenda by not littering.