A trek in the clouds
The weather changed yesterday and this morning was grey here in Pune. But as I had arranged for the company driver to come and pick me up at 8 am, I decided to go on my trip anyway.
He drove us to the village of Sinhagad
and then we walked up to the ruins of the fort. 4 km (he said), all uphill (according to Wikipedia the village is at at 550 m/1,804 ft above the sea level and the fort is at 1,350 m/4,430ft).
It had started drizzinlg when we were in the car and carried on during our ascent. The drizzle made some of steepest parts of the uneven path very slippery.
Raghunath (the driver) insisted on accompanying me - I guess because he was given instructions at the office to look after me.
The fort is up there in the clouds.
Half way - the village in the distance.
Getting foggier
The path is dotted with shacks selling juices, fruits, etc.
Here's the driver enjoying a rest and a drink
Finally, the fort (not that you can see much!)
Within the very large perimeter of the fort, there is a memorial to Tanaji Malusare the hero of Sinhagad (Lion Fort)
Don't you think he looks remarkably like my beloved london1952? Adrian used to have earrings and that moustache style!
and among other small buildings and ruins, a couple of temples
The goddess Khali
Erm... not sure about this one
More pictures of the fort:
Memorial to "Lokmanya" Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Indian nationalist:
More people:
The chap on the right told me the story of the fort before bursting into song! (and asking for money)
And last but not least, 2 sacred cows down in the village:
I really enjoyed the trip; I met lots of people at the fort and on the way up/down and most were genuinely friendly. The wanted to know where I was from and what I thought of Pune and India; a father asked me to pose for a picture with his son before thanking me and shaking my hand.
On the way back, once already in Pune, the driver insisted on taking me shopping; I wasn't quite sure where because he didn't speak much English. It was a craft shop with some very nice stuff but it wasn't cheap. There the staff were way too 'attentive'!!
Then the driver wanted me to go to a rug shop just round the corner from the flat; this time I was very firm and just said No! What a cheek! But then on the other hand, he had just climbed a mountain for me.
He drove us to the village of Sinhagad
and then we walked up to the ruins of the fort. 4 km (he said), all uphill (according to Wikipedia the village is at at 550 m/1,804 ft above the sea level and the fort is at 1,350 m/4,430ft).
It had started drizzinlg when we were in the car and carried on during our ascent. The drizzle made some of steepest parts of the uneven path very slippery.
Raghunath (the driver) insisted on accompanying me - I guess because he was given instructions at the office to look after me.
The fort is up there in the clouds.
Half way - the village in the distance.
Getting foggier
The path is dotted with shacks selling juices, fruits, etc.
Here's the driver enjoying a rest and a drink
Finally, the fort (not that you can see much!)
Within the very large perimeter of the fort, there is a memorial to Tanaji Malusare the hero of Sinhagad (Lion Fort)
Don't you think he looks remarkably like my beloved london1952? Adrian used to have earrings and that moustache style!
and among other small buildings and ruins, a couple of temples
The goddess Khali
Erm... not sure about this one
More pictures of the fort:
Memorial to "Lokmanya" Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Indian nationalist:
More people:
The chap on the right told me the story of the fort before bursting into song! (and asking for money)
And last but not least, 2 sacred cows down in the village:
I really enjoyed the trip; I met lots of people at the fort and on the way up/down and most were genuinely friendly. The wanted to know where I was from and what I thought of Pune and India; a father asked me to pose for a picture with his son before thanking me and shaking my hand.
On the way back, once already in Pune, the driver insisted on taking me shopping; I wasn't quite sure where because he didn't speak much English. It was a craft shop with some very nice stuff but it wasn't cheap. There the staff were way too 'attentive'!!
Then the driver wanted me to go to a rug shop just round the corner from the flat; this time I was very firm and just said No! What a cheek! But then on the other hand, he had just climbed a mountain for me.