Travel Diaries of Irish Pereira
Immortalizing my Travel Memoirs
The Wanderer
Wednesday, 11 November 2020
Thursday, 30 April 2020
A summit trek to Vazir Pinnacle, Vasind near Mumbai
A summit trek to Vazir
Pinnacle, Vasind near Mumbai
Trek: Vazir
Pinnacle Summit trek
Base
village: Katbav, Vashind
Height: 200 ft.
(2500 ft above seal level)
Grade:
Difficult
Endurance: Tough
Trek
coordinator: Ossam
Lead
climbers: Jocky Salunke, Vinayak Pol
Dates: 02th
February 2020 (Starting on 1st February 2020 night)
Trekkers: 15
Epilogue:
It was on 26th Jan 2020, where I was sceptical on joining a Summit trek to Vajir Pinnacle scheduled on 2th Feb for which I had already enrolled with Ossam Trekkers. Frankly the reason being the unexpected fall and death of Arun sawant Sir, an avid rock climber at Kokankada at Harishchandragad located at Ahmednagar. There i was in dilemma where I decided that it is now or never opportunity for Vazir and continued with my participation.
It was on 26th Jan 2020, where I was sceptical on joining a Summit trek to Vajir Pinnacle scheduled on 2th Feb for which I had already enrolled with Ossam Trekkers. Frankly the reason being the unexpected fall and death of Arun sawant Sir, an avid rock climber at Kokankada at Harishchandragad located at Ahmednagar. There i was in dilemma where I decided that it is now or never opportunity for Vazir and continued with my participation.
As decided we were to assemble at Vasind station at 11:30
Saturday night on 1st Feb. But this time central railway played a prank with
me. We were to board a slow kasara train scheduled at 9:50 pm at Dadar central
railway. When I reached platform 1, it was 9:48and indicator showed 9:54 Kurla
train. I thought that may be Kasara train is delayed and hence Kurla train is
scheduled earlier. Such thing is common on Central railway. So I left the train
awaiting for 9:50 Kasara train.
There we reached Kasara sharp at 11:30 pm and where we
assembled at a pimple tree on the platform awaiting our transporter. After 15
mins came the transporter where we 10 of us cramped in a Toyota Qualis. The
base village named Katbav was only 4.5 kms from Vasind Railway station on
central railway. On reaching the sleeping base village at around 12 Am, we stay
put under a shade of the villager. There we rested till around 5:30 am in
sleeping bag. So there after completing our morning chores and breakfast we had
an introduction round. Actually it was a joint trek organised by both Ossam
Trekkers Mumbai and Point Break Adventure Nashik. We started from base
village for the pinnacle base at 6:15 Am.
After a moderate trek of about 2 hours along small hills and the muddy path on the ridge, we reached the base of the pinnacle by around 8:30 AM. The last part of the trek is very steep and one gets drained to make it top the base.
After a moderate trek of about 2 hours along small hills and the muddy path on the ridge, we reached the base of the pinnacle by around 8:30 AM. The last part of the trek is very steep and one gets drained to make it top the base.
Myself @ Dawn |
That steep climb to the Vazir pinnacle base |
For amateur trekkers, the trek to base of pinnacle would be a trek in itself. There at base of pinnacle, the
trek leads were busy preparing for the ascent. They have arranged for basic set
up one day before.
After some other augmentation in the setup the trek lead
reached the top by around 9:15 am. There are 4 stations for the entire climb
with 5th being the summit each manned by trek leads. The station here means a
place for foothold which has arrangements for bolting where trek leads
anchore themselves and the participants.
The first participant took around 30 mins to summit
ascending through all 4 stations. The overhang at 4 stations which is the most
critical was manned by Jocky salunkhe (chief trek lead). Few climbers did it smoothly within 15-20 minutes, while
some others took 30 mins or more.
Myself - Just about to climb |
I started climbing at 1:30 pm. There was a rope ladder fixed
between 1 to 2 station and it is the easiest of climb patch. However the
climbing between 2 to 3 station , 3 to 4 station is very draining. One
has to climb the vertical wall with their body weight against the
gravitational pull. This patches tests each climber of their stamina.
Actually one gets drained after 3 station. Then the patch
between 3-4 station takes lot more time and motivation from trek leads.
At Station 3 with Vinayak Pol |
I was literally drained at 3 station and on top of that was
caught without hydration. I thought it will be roughly 20 mins climb and will
have water on summit. But to my utter shock, i was dehydrated after 2 patch.
There trek leads spared some of their water for me.
I was unable to lift my body after 3 station. Lifting body every inch was task in itself. The moving every inch further gets tougher when you are at considerable height on mountains and same is true in the corporate life.
I was unable to lift my body after 3 station. Lifting body every inch was task in itself. The moving every inch further gets tougher when you are at considerable height on mountains and same is true in the corporate life.
Jocky Salunkhe assisting me at station 4 |
Zoomed version |
The climb between 3 to 4 station which has a overhang was
assisted by Jocky and was smooth against expected. He assisted the overhang
climb very aptly by guiding the footholds. He kept on motivating the already
drained climbers.
The climb between 4 to 5 station is basically a steep
scree patch which can be climbed easily. One slipped step could land one some
400 metres below in the valley.
There at around 2:00 pm, i was at summit and thanked
Almighty for his grace. I had no words to describe the arduous efforts
to reach there.
At Summit |
Jubilant team @ Summit |
Zoomed version |
It was very toughest rock climb i have done till date. I
have completed Lingana, Kalakrai pinnacles in the past. But this one was cut
out of rest. Vertical wall with limited footholds makes the ascent very
challenging.
Then after resting for around 20 mins on the summit, i
rappelled down from backside of the pinnacle. The backside also has some
overhang where the rapeller looses his foothold and just hangs to the rope.
Rapelling was just easy as I had done rapelling dozen of times before.
Then we rested till other participants compete their climb.
The last participant completed the climb by 3:30 Pm. We were hoping to start
descend by 4:30 or so after wrapping up the climbing setup.
Vazir Pinnacle - Like snake head @ Evening |
The dusk |
Then the team leads had some food and counting and taking
stock of the gears and equipments. It was around 6:15 pm that we started our
trek back to base village. The sun was about to set and we rushed to cover
maximum trek in the day light. There we reached back at base village at 7:50
pm.
There the team refreshed themselves and had some quick
dinner (delayed lunch). However I was more interested in reaching home early
(within time) than having a early dinner.
Prologue:
Now as it was Sunday, the frequency of trains to Mumbai from Vasind railway station were limited. We had to rush too much to board the 8:58 pm train. The next train was almost one and hours later. (Which meant we reach home at past midnight).
Now as it was Sunday, the frequency of trains to Mumbai from Vasind railway station were limited. We had to rush too much to board the 8:58 pm train. The next train was almost one and hours later. (Which meant we reach home at past midnight).
Reaching home safely and in time after a trek is very
crucial.
Now some of the late trekkers were still having dinner. I
kept pushing them to finish dinner quickly.
As Jocky and his team were going to Nashik and were not in
hurry.
There our transporter arrived at 7:25 pm and it was around
25 mins drive to railway station.
Within minutes we jumped into the Tavera and pushed our
driver to drive quicly. We had almost missed the train. However by Gods grace
we were able to just board the already arrived train. Finally i reached home at
Vasai by around 11:30 pm.
To sum up it is was a
wonderful Sunday exploring some of the ardous rocking climbing at one of the
Sahayadris toughest and steepest pinnacle.
Few points of advice to trekkers planning for this trek:
1) It is difficult grade rock climbing trek with tough
endurance....so beginners strictly avoid such trek (Rock climbing and trekking
are 2 different things altogether).
2) It is advisable to carry at least 3-4 liters of water.
3) Carry a sleeping bag if possible....
4) The rock patches to the top are
tough and risky; hence do not try it without proper guide and
climbing equipment's.
For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/
For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/
Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!
Sunday, 19 January 2020
Ande ka Funda @ Chandan Omlette Centre Surat
Eggy drive to Chandan Omlette Centre Surat
Gastronomic
funda: Eggy Food drive to Chandan Omlet Centre
Address: Kabir House, Udhana - Magdalla Rd, Near Bafna Marble, City
Light Town, Surat, Gujarat 395007 (Click for Google map Coordinates)
Gastronomers: 18
Damages: Rs. 5000+
Epilogue: We all have heard the jingle from NADDC ...
"Sunday ho ya Monday, roj khao Ande...."
However it was Friday to begin with...And our HO cricket
team had landed at our plant at Ankleshwar Gujarat for Sports week. After the
day of play, it was decided to have dinner at some famous Omlet centre in
Surat.
To begin with we were very skeptic on going there. I mean who would travel 68 kms (1.5 hrs drive) one way to eat just humble eggs. However we gave in as our seniors were all set for it.
To begin with we were very skeptic on going there. I mean who would travel 68 kms (1.5 hrs drive) one way to eat just humble eggs. However we gave in as our seniors were all set for it.
So there were we driving from Ankleshwar to Surat in a Xylo. During the drive, our friend Mr. Arun More got furious and quoted in marathi...
Arrey...XX@@2@22@... yevdhya lamb ...ani te pan fakt ande khayla....@@@@&&^^^
(Arrey....So far...and that to eat just eggs....)
To begin with pakka Mumbaikar Arun had a dry throat in that chilly evening and found himself unawares of unavailability of "magical syrup" in Gujarat state. And one of his friend who coming with solvent meant to treat dried throat, was caught up in erratic traffic at Bharuch. And above all leaving this friend of his caught in traffic alone, we were driving towards some imaginary Anda dhaba located some 60 odd kms in Surat wasting 1.5 hrs one way. Wasn't this a valid reason for him to get furious ?
There we had fun seeing him boil and instead of soothing him, we judiciously tried that fire in him never went out. There we quoted many famous quotes to convince him that this drive will be worth.
Arrey...XX@@2@22@... yevdhya lamb ...ani te pan fakt ande khayla....@@@@&&^^^
(Arrey....So far...and that to eat just eggs....)
To begin with pakka Mumbaikar Arun had a dry throat in that chilly evening and found himself unawares of unavailability of "magical syrup" in Gujarat state. And one of his friend who coming with solvent meant to treat dried throat, was caught up in erratic traffic at Bharuch. And above all leaving this friend of his caught in traffic alone, we were driving towards some imaginary Anda dhaba located some 60 odd kms in Surat wasting 1.5 hrs one way. Wasn't this a valid reason for him to get furious ?
There we had fun seeing him boil and instead of soothing him, we judiciously tried that fire in him never went out. There we quoted many famous quotes to convince him that this drive will be worth.
After landing there our imaginations had some shape. We
found a makeshift dhaba typed eatery seating capacity of around 100- 150 all fully occupied.
Parking area |
It had huge
parking ground lined with 30 -40 cars including SUV's and innumerable bikes. So
it appeared to us as extraordinarily famous eatery.
As all seats under the shade were occupied, we were made
seating arrangements on outside.
Our seniors acquainted with the place had already placed orders.
There we sat in windy night with empty gizzards all rolling with acids guessing
on what the eatery had in offer for us.
First to land on table were 4 boiled eggs plates sprinkled
with paprika and salt. Served with it was cut veggies sprinkled with chaat
masala. Seeing them still disgruntled Arun looked at me ... Suggesting that we
would probably starve today. Ignoring him i had my share of boiled eggs.
Then came first main course dish named "007"
....Bond ...James bond ... Along came buttered bread slices. It was served one
plate each for 4 of us.
007 |
It was a thick gravy with cheesy boiled minced egg topping at center. The gravy appeared to be thickened by mixing boiled eggs yolk. Dropping
in the centre were half boiled eggs half and fried omelettes.
With first bite of bread dipped in the gravy, i was convinced that the place was really worth the long tiring drive.
With first bite of bread dipped in the gravy, i was convinced that the place was really worth the long tiring drive.
Following it was "Egg ghotala" ....Again spicy
cheesy gravy with minced boiled eggs. Another awesome dish equally tasty as
it's predecessor.
Then to land was "Green Rolls"...Consisted of
omelette rolls wrapping boiled egg whites and drapped on green thick milk cream
based gravy.
All of these above dishes had cheese used in abundance. Moreover the gravies were mixed with boiled egg yolk to make it thick. These spicy cheesy morsels were washed down our gastric pipes by Sosyo (Gujarat's version thumps up) and Spirite.
Green Rolls |
Fourth dish to appear was "Lasun omelette" having
2-3 egg sunshine swimming in garlic based gravy bottomed by regular omlette.
Lasun Omlette |
The fifth dish "Red chillies masala" was bit late
to appear on the table and hence we could not do fair justice to it. We all were
almost full after the earlier dishes.
The cheese and cream had a fulfilling effect on our bellies and could not take any more of it.
After finishing our gastric agenda, we all returned to Ankleshwar all set for cricket match scheduled next day.
Red chilies |
The cheese and cream had a fulfilling effect on our bellies and could not take any more of it.
After finishing our gastric agenda, we all returned to Ankleshwar all set for cricket match scheduled next day.
Prologue: To sum up it was a wonderful
evening spend with Colleagues enjoying humble Calcites and concluding on "Ande ka Funda".
If anyone happens to be in Surat and wants to get
"Eggified", it is the recommended place to be at.
For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/
Disclaimer: The above restaurant in review was personally visited by Irish Pereira wherein the full bill was paid for & does not believe in featured / sponsored reviews. The reviewer believes in anonymously visiting a hotel to present an honest account of all the factors to you.
Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!
Hotel Bademiya, Colaba, Mumbai
Mumbai
Food Diaries- A leisure evening @ Hotel Bademiya, Colaba, Mumbai
Gastronomic
funda: Non - Veg Food trek to Bademiya
Gastronomers: Irish Pereira, Stuti Pereira
Damages: INR 819
Epilogue:
It was regular weekend to
begin. We were at KDA hospital Andheri for a routine medical check up and
were free after 5 pm. There we decided to visit South Mumbai towards Gateway of
India where my wifey and me had evening boat sailing.
Onboard the boat |
View from Boat - Gateway of India with Taj Palace |
With Iconic Taj Palace |
After boating we were deciding
on restaurant for dinner preferably non veg. There were deciding between 2
restaurants - Bademiya and New Martin's Hotel (A Goan cuisines restaurant.
However finally we zeroed down
on Bademiya as it was near by.(In the very next lane behind the Iconic Taj
palace opp Gateway)
Hence to begin with we place
order for 1 plate of each of them for starters. Additionally for main course we
decided to try "Bheja Masala fry".
It is famous eatery with
sitting arranged in a old building housing around 50 seats..Also there people
prefer eating standing near the barbeques.
I had visited the eatery 10
years before with my college gang and recollected those days in nostalgically.
The steward however served
Bheja Masala Fry with wheat Rumali roti earlier than the starters, which we kept aside awaiting starters.
Then in next 5 mins was starers served.
To begin with the green spicy
Reshmi kebab were show stopper of the day. They were soft and juicy.
Chicken Reshmi Kabab |
Then the Baida Roti was also
awesome. Baida roti is Roti just a fatter version of Alu paratha stuffed with
minced chicken / mutton wrapped in thick egg stuffing coated with Roti. We had
ordered for mutton baida roti.
Baida Roti - Mutton |
Both these starters are washed
down our gastric pipes with Thumps up.
Bheja Masala Fry |
Rumali Roti |
Then after finishing the
starters we diverted to the Bheja masala fry. It was spicy fried Bheja sauted
with cream based gravy garnished with coriander. The combination of Bheja
masala with Rumali roti seamed appropriate. It was however heavy for us after starters.
To sum up it was wonderful
evening spent in one of the iconic eatery in SoBo quenching our gastric juices
and satiating our food wanderlust.
Prologue:
There to free up our filled
bellies, we decided to stroll down the Colaba Causeway and ended spending
another hour shopping tops and accessories.
For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/
Disclaimer: The above restaurant in review was personally visited by Irish Pereira wherein the full bill was paid for & does not believe in featured / sponsored reviews. The reviewer believes in anonymously visiting a hotel to present an honest account of all the factors to you.
Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!
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