Lonavala

My parents decided to celebrate their 25 years of togetherness in Lonavala, which is a small hill station near Mumbai, with the entire family. So around 12 of us left for lonavala on the 10th of July. Lonavala is around a 1 ½ hour drive on the Mumbai - Pune expressway from our place. The road is very laid, so the car can be driven at more than 100 Kmph. Its monsoon season in Mumbai. It was pouring during most of the drive. The hills were covered with clouds and the weather was incredible.

The resort we had booked for our stay was on a hill. The road leading to it was damaged badly due to bad maintenance and heavy rains. The view from the room I decided to stay was that of the hills far away. We went to the bushy dam after lunch and a little rest. It was very crowded for a weekday. Mom, I & my cousin S went in to enjoy the cold water hitting our back. Later my aunts joined us. We spent the night playing cards and pulling each other’s legs.

The sunrise marked the 25th year of marital bliss for my parents. Also this day last year bomb blasts killed hundreds in the local trains of Mumbai.

A swim and meal later we went on a drive to the Amby valley city, which is around 12KM for lonavala. We drove through clouds all our way. We stopped at few places to enjoy the wind and rain. Only elite customers are allowed through the gates of the Amby valley city, so we drove back.

Two great days later we were back home to start the boring daily routine again from Thursday. I hope my parents celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in a similar way.