Day Tour in Pune

We finally reached our target yesterday to complete all the major works. Left over now only some fine-tuning here and there. So me, Loo and KS went out to romp around in Pune city's attractions.

I planned out the few places where we wanted to go. Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Waada, Katraj Snake Park, Parvati Hills, Pateshwalar Caves, Osho Ashram and
shopping in Laxmi Road. The driver told us Laxmi Road is very congested area and we cancel the idea going there.

First destination was the Agha Khan Palace. Very near to the place we were staying. As a foreigner in India, we'll need to pay Rs 100 which is about RM 8 to enter the palace. Each of the rooms displayed some history and footsteps of Gandhi. There are few floors in the palace but only the ground floor being open up for
visitors. One thing we found is that the conservation of the left over such as clothes, some scriptures and photos were not properly taken care off. Such a pity scene. Those things are such valuables and should take good care of it so that the next generations will have the chance to see it as well. The tour in the palace was a short one. Nothing much in there.

The Palace

Then we proceed to Osho Ashrams. Sadly, when we were there we are not allow to take photos, not allow to enter to any of their buildings. From outside, it
looks really a serene place. This is a place where a lot of foreigners comes for in-depth learning of yoga and also meditation. We proceed to the visitors' counter, with a minimal fees of Rs 10, they'll take us on a short tour in Osho Ashram and introduction on their courses. Too bad, they only allow certain numbers of people per day and need to make 1 day advance booking. There will be 2 daily tours at 11am and 2pm. Anyhow, we will go back to this place again next weekend. We saw those people are wearing maroon robes which is very nice.. Me and Loo will buy 1 each.

The next destination, the Shaniwar Waada. Nothing much there as well, quite dissapointed. Paid Rs 100 to enter this fort. (Haih) ..boring place. Went in
there and the only thing we saw is a big garden. Spent less than half an hour and we move on to Parvati Hill.

Walking Up Parvati Hill

This time, KS said he will wait for me and Loo. He doesn't want to go up with us. He's afraid of the heat. So me and Loo proceed walking up to the hill top. In total there were 108 steps up. My goodness, with the heat, i dehydrated so fast and i breath really heavily and felt a bit of dizzy. Almost blackout. ha ha ... I think i am the abnormal one, Loo is ok .. Once reach to the top, luckily there was a small shop selling water ... Oh yah .. on the way up, there is a stinky dung smells, that makes me almost throw out and my dizziness got worst. After a few snap shot, we walked down again.

Really exhausted that time. Told the driver we cancel the idea of the rest of the place. Just bring us to shopping and we wanted to have our lunch in a shopping mall. The driver drove us to few of the shops but we didn't buy anything. The price tag are quite expensive for sari. Well i think we will really needs to go to those market area where the items are cheaper and bargaining power is higher. Laxmi Road or Fashion street is somewhere we need to shop to get cheap stuff rather than those shops meant for up-market people in India.

We finally took our lunch in Mc Donald. They don't have Beef burgers so Big Mac is not in their menu. We go for a similar items which is the Chicken Maharaja. It taste ok with the punch of Indian massala. Not too bad. After lunch we stroll around in the mall for a while to see what we can buy. Surveyed the Saris in the mall as well but then we still consider it is expensive. We then proceed back to our guesthouse and then take a rest. Now is 1.20 am India time, feeling tired and need to sleep already .. Ciao !

Chicken Maharaja

Oh yah, about the Saris, most to the shops are trying to sells us about USD 70-80. Forget about it ....