Matheran - My weekend gateway (a visit to eat Maggi)

It's been 10yrs and I still am not tired of visiting Matheran.

Beautiful Matheran

This time it was a unique visit as the reason was spicy hot Maggi :)

Hot Maggi

On day 1 of 2021, I and my sis were looking at my last year’s Matheran trip photographs, prior to lockdown and I was describing to her waterfalls and this tasty Maggi which I had under the roof of the tree, while it was raining.

Yes Maggi, a 2-minute noodle, but still so yummy and a go-to food in every mountain and beach and backpack. You don't understand what to order, order Maggi prime choice, you feel of having something spicy but not chilly, you order #Maggi, you can try it with various variations - cheesy, hot and spicy, vegetable. Your trip becomes incomplete without including this in your travel bag. 

Let’s come back to our trip.

Due to strict social distancing, we were refused to get the train ticket from Navi Mumbai to Neral at 8:30AM, although I was informed a few days back that women are permitted to travel by train. But the timing for women and other people was post 11PM.

So, we impulsively planned a road trip, we took our “Raam Pyari - Jupiter” to Neral. A 2-way ride of more than 100KM. I must say this impulsive decision was awesome!

Information :

Near Neral Railway station a bit more towards the left, there is a pay and park stand, where you can park your 2 wheeler @ RS15. (If you don't wish to take your vehicle up in the twisted mountain roads)

Then pay RS100/person, and reach the Matheran entry gate from where you can walk 5minutes and get a toy train which has a limited number of seats, charging you RS45/adult for 2nd class and RS308 for 1st class. Ensure you check for the tickets as soon as you reach and then spend your time while waiting for the train as the tickets get over quickly. The travel time from Aman Lodge to Matheran Market Station is 22mins by Toy Train and if you take a walk which in itself is an amazing experience takes around 35mins depending upon your pace. Try not to bargain while buying any products as carrying it uphill has a cost which they pay extra as compared to city products.

The place has transformed, it now has a proper entrance instead of red mud and horse poop.

The new entrance

We continued our walk after checking that the train is at 12PM which is approximately after 40mins and we decided to take a walk.

This was after a long time; we took an alternate route then tracks. But it was an amazing experience, the trails are formed and we also helped the load carrier in pushing their cart uphill. I must say it took our breath away in just 10mins. Salute to their efforts and hard work. They are keeping the environment clean by not taking any vehicle upstairs but using the man force.

Matheran has this flora, which you cannot stop yourself from admiring. The huge giant trees with varied styles of leaves. We took a halt at Swad restaurant/snacks corner and had misal and vada pav. The Vada pav was tasty :)

View from Louis point

The atmosphere wasn't that pleasant but our craziness kept us going. We kept moving forward with crazy songs and singing. As we headed in the lush green mountains, we started relishing the temperature change. Buying biscuits and giving them to dogs and monkey is a must, we definitely enjoy it. We realized this quote now "Greedy Monkey"/"Lalchi Bandar". How much ever you give food to the monkey at Matheran, he will not reach the contentment and keep pushing biscuits in his jaws.

Lalchi Bandar

Cecil Point

Relaxing at Cecil point

We took a break at Cecil Point, which during the rainy season gives an illusion of a reverse waterfall. Now there were small ponds due to the off rainy season. We took a break there, immersed our legs in the cold clean water, and got refreshed.

What's more energizing than playing the game "Aim the glass" which cost only RS20 near Charlotte lake. After multiple trials and not winning any money we won refreshment and was powered up again to go further.

 Indulged into the taste of hot and spicy Maggi, crunchy onion fritters at the not-so-crowded stall. Tried Kokkam too, but I must say kokkam & Nimbu Pani at Kalavanti Durg is better.

Some crazy dance moves

There are many spots to get your private space for photography and our very favorite dancing.

On our return journey after visiting Lord Point, we were all filled up. We clicked too many pics and tried dancing to our favorite energy booster. We returned to the market, took paan checked various shopping items, and returned back. 

We returned back at 3:30PM Matheran station but were unlucky to get the ticket for the toy train and we spent some time with our ancestor, The Monkeys.

Jaa Simrron Jee le apni Zindagii...

This time we took the railway tracks and returned back in 30-40mins to the taxi stand returned back to Neral where our “Raam Pyari” was standing safe and sound. The return journey of 55km ended with the famous traffic of Kalyan Shilphata, 

which didn't bother us, as we were on our moped.

The best hill station, nearest to Mumbai and a refreshing place. Quite untouched by traffic and as they don’t permit the vehicles inside the main gate, the environment is marvelous.

Last but not the least, I would recommend everyone to carry a torch, good pair of shoes, Poncho and slippers if you are going in the monsoon. Also, you can get the cheapest raincoat there for just Rs. 50 and trust me they are best.

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