Lonavala trip

May 26, 2007, the day we had the MMS exam. The build up to this exam was a harrowing experience. First of all we had to endure the terrible heat and humidity of our tropical 'paradise'. Then there were rumours that the exam would be postponed due to Western Railways' ill timed mega block. Nothing of that sort happened and everyone had to make arrangements to somehow get to college or face the prospect of being bound to engineering (and DBIT) for another 6 months.

Anyway the exam turned out better than expected and aptly called a 'bally' paper by Saurin. After the exam a larger number of us went to Pop Tates to gorge down on pizza and some 'fluids'. It was there that someone made the wild suggestion of going to lonavala. The idea was intriguing but all of us jumped on it and calculations were made on the number of bikes needed. The Lois of all people decided to continue his journey on the 'wrong' path and came along with us.

The rendezvous point was Ville Parle and after a few tussles with Bhavesh, I had to temporarily settle with sitting on Jethva's bike. I never prayed so hard even before the MMS paper. Luckily he couldn't take my weight and Saurin sat with him rest of the journey. The ride to lonavala was loads of fun at high speeds on empty roads. The only delay was due to a dhaba taking an hour to make the tiniest sandwich for Bhavesh. The cool air on the ghats was so pleasant.

On reaching there, accommodation seemed to be a problem. Cops were telling us to get off the streets. Suddenly out of the darkness comes a creature with vile breath analogous to some cheap liquor who saves our hides from the mosquitoes. The beast's name was Murli. He took us to a cottage with really big rooms. He uttered some of his infamous phrases:

"I'm very famous here, but spread my name"
"I'm a big man, but I live a simple life"
"This scooter 3 days, tomorrow I ride Splendor"

After laughing away for hours at Murli's ballies, we got a good night's sleep. All of us dozed off into the night tired from travelling and sleepless nights prior to the MMS exam. The next morning we went to Tiger's Leap point or something on those lines. Found Nipple Mountain #2. Took some photos there and ate something for breakfast.

Finally we set off for home. The ride back was fun with Henry and Bhavesh meeting with an accident as well as going far ahead on the wrong road at 100kmph. The curse of Bhavi Jones is real I guess with all riders with whom he sat with getting lost at some point. The trip was one to remember especially since we went during the exams and all of us agreed just on a whim. It would only happen in our class. Pre Cheers!