In Strawberry country

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Last week I had occasion to make a trip to mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. True, these hill stations are not as great as any hill station in the lap of Himalaya, because there you may view majestic snow clad peaks and thus a very different feel. But nevertheless for those who live mechanical and fast pace life in Bombay, these twin hill stations are a really great escape an opportunity to be your real self, you and pure nature.
My visit also gave me a chance to be a part of five day long Strawberry Festival.
Many people do not know that 85 per cent of India's strawberry production comes from Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani region! These five days the farmers open their strawberry fields to the tourists.Suddenly the entire region has a feel of Strawberry everywhere. Hotels, resorts, shops wore bloted, computer generated images of the fruit. The entire route to Verna Lake's waterfront festooned with boats bearing ads, flapping numerously in the wind.whereever you go strawberry pantations are everywhere.
The main hub for the activity is Mapro Gardens seven kilometres from Mahabaleshwar town. What is most enjoyable, basketful of strawberries before every guest, the moment its is even half empty dutifully replenished mind it, it is all free!
Menu Cards at Resturant counters dislays their specials with a vegngeance : strawberry shake, strawberry icecream, strawberry pizza, strawberry s.wich. The quality of all the food stuff is much better then what you get in Bombay. The counters selling exotic strawberry, raspberry,sitafal crush has free sample testing which is ample in quantity not allowing you to take your luch or dinner. The festival also showcase the regional dances,tableaus on Shivaji's life, leizims performance, orchestra playing soulful old hindi songs.
By the way, we stayed in a resort in a secluded place, the view from every room was a lush green hill, you will not find even a single house or hutment on that hill. You and mother nature!
While coming back from this strawberry country I thought for a whild,let the time slowdown and the journey on the hilly road with strawberry smell chalti rahe chalti rahe.

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