FOREST TREKKING AT WILD WILD WEST MAHARASHTRA - PART 1

Photo Travelogue :


Althrough my life, whichever house I've lived in ( and there's been plenty ), all have been right in the middle of the city. Buzzing with activity and surrounded by people all the time. It was all fine and I enjoyed it too. However, couple of years ago,.my interest in 'nature' got triggered somehow - maybe all the trips I did - I longed to live a quieter life near nature. Of course I loved the city life too...but, I wanted to get another place..little far from the city where I could enjoy nature too ~ in its fullest. So, the hunt began. Until, I found just the perfect place in outskirts of the city. It was so perfect, a cozy little village...that I instantly fell in love with it. There were open fields and deep forests along with rocky hills all around...and I could just step out to enjoy it all whenever I wanted. Such bliss. Since I've moved to this place, I've done numerous nature aka forest trails. I'm sharing them in my two-part series. Here's the first part...when its the dry season...post monsoons - during nov-june. Trekking during this time is raw and rustic. With a long stick in my hand - to ward off animals and few other protections I set off. These forests are frequented by leopards, snakes and other wild dogs/wolves/foxes so better be prepared than be sorry.The tracks I walk are by local villagers who go out to these forests regularly to collect wood.

entering....its a huge area and one can get lost if not careful. I mark the way dropping twigs and leaves in patterns so that I come back safe...


venturing deep...the place is facinating with only me and nature! I hear birds chirping and animals growling and snorting somewhere...thats the only noise..no car horns thankfuly ;-)


a small mound it seems...I've walked and explored for almost two hours...it doesn't end...


because, another stretch begins, and, yet another...


some twists and turns...no idea how deep I've come...hopefully the twigs I left back helps..

until, I reach a clearing of sorts...

but hey...

far away somewhere I see signs of civilisation...but, thats quite far from where I am...


for now, I am surrounded by bushy shrubbery...


another little clearing...


and, I'm engulfed by trees...


that gets huge...




it gets late, so, I finally bid bye...to the wilderness...

I got so busy exploring...that I hardly noticed the sun going down. After dark its another story altogether so I hurried back. Thank God I didn't forget my torch...else, I'd have gotten lost. These forests although looks innocent..can be quite dangerouus. Because..they are endless and its really the wild. Never attempt alone. I carry a sturdy stick, torch, knife and pepper-spray whenever I venture out. Don't forget to catch the next part of this exciting series - 'monsoon' side of Maharashtra.

Address : Maharashtra countryside.
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
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