[Sam Kapasi]

We're deaf.

Deaf to the traffic and the swearing and the honking and the rickshaws. We've put it away in a corner of our minds and shut the lid on it. But Jenny cannot.

I need to get out of town. For the day, for a night, anything. Someplace without traffic.

I thought of Matheran. I started making bookings. Called Verandah in the Forest - a Neemrana property. Not cheap but beautiful and the walk would be almost 2 hours from the car. Perfect.

They were full. So was everyone else. Thursday is just too late to make a booking for Saturday. As I was planning for Khandala or Alibag, I was told that Khandala was just too hot. So that left Alibag.

Suddenly the phone rang. The owner of an old heritage bungalow in Matheran had a cancellation. He was ready to have us over. I paid the money to his man in Mumbai and we were booked.

Or were we? He messaged me later on Thursday evening. Thanks for the money. We've booked you, checking in on Sunday and checking out on Monday. Monday? I had a meeting on monday.
I called him frantically. He agreed it was a misunderstanding and offered to refund the money.

Back to square one. Nowhere to go and it was friday now.

I'm discussing this with my MD on Friday, just chatting and telling him about the mishap. Out of the blue we get invited. To Aamby valley. To join a small group of some very rich, famous and priveleged people.

It's an offer I cannot refuse. And a weekend I cannot forget.

[Steeroid]

For those not in the know (yours truly included) can you please give a small write-up on this Amby Valley? Where it is, whats special about it, etc?

[Sam Kapasi]

I do not wish to dilute this thread and the impact of the photos by blabbing. I was impressed. Most of it was unreal. Often too unreal. The person who invited us was building his home along the largest lake in the valley, called the west lake. He and his wife were gracious hosts and Jenny and I were very thankful for the holiday. it was not the first time I had visited the place, but the very first time I had a chance to experience this unbelievable place.

We drove there, a beautiful and uneventful drive. Many of you have done that many times I guess.

We first visited the house he was building. Please check the location












I peer down at one of the lake cabanas. We have one of these and 2 chalets to stay in tonight. The cabana on the lake will be where our champagne dinner has been organised.
I am told Boris Becker stayed here a few days and loved it. I can see why. Once again I whisper to myself. If you can afford it, anything is truly possible in this country.





Raise your chins and close your mouths Gentlemen. More photos in the next post.

[manaa45]

You are one lucky person Sam, amby valley is one of the beautiful places you can visit andnot everybody gets the privilege to spend a night out there.

But I still think photolouge isnt enough, please make it a yeti blog. Pleasee.

Mansi

[ASHISHPALLOD]

@sam,
next post time please?
nice location of construction.

[Sam Kapasi]

Some more photos of and from the house he was building.







Both Jenny and I are a bit stunned by what we've seen so far.





Later we decide to get over to the cabana-on-the-lake to grab some refreshments and check out the place where we're going to have the special dinner tonight.
I won't describe it. I'll let you do that. Holy Crap will be an acceptable description.



















And that's where the little party will happen tonight. Time to now visit the club house and golf course for some light umm.. refreshment.

[Sam Kapasi]

Ajit and all the golf freaks, please stop wetting your pants, lol.

Mansi, honestly, the photos have more to say than I do.































The electric cart drops me back to my poor Verna. Both Jenny and I are walking around in a sort of semi-trance. I'm just plain shocked that a place like this can exist so close to Bombay.
Jenny is overloading. In her words she is getting "flashed" by how much there is to see and to absorb.

Through it all, the level of service and kowtow is beyond massive. I am not a big, rich man and this is all quite overwhelming.

I drive past all the big expensive fancy cars and go towards one of the restaurants for lunch.

[akroy]

Originally Posted by manaa45

But I still think photolouge isnt enough, please make it a yeti blog. Pleasee.

Mansi

I agree Sam, Pls dont get Tirthankar-ed

Yeti-blogs are better IMHO.

Abhi

[Perakath]

I do love a good-looking bathroom. (Three posts up!)

Steeroid: AFAIK Amby Valley is some sort of private township being developed by the Sahara Group. The Indian cricket team were given bungalows there a couple of years ago, I think. Googling it will fill in the gaps in both our knowledge.

[pulsar56]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I'm just plain shocked that a place like this can exist so close to Bombay.

Truly amazing pictures Sam. Have always heard about ambey valley but never seen so many pictures of it!

the photos have more to say than I do.

True! for once the Yeti can take some rest!

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by Perakath

I do love a good-looking bathroom. (Three posts up!)

Steeroid: AFAIK Amby Valley is some sort of private township being developed by the Sahara Group. The Indian cricket team were given bungalows there a couple of years ago, I think. Googling it will fill in the gaps in both our knowledge.

All those pictures and all you like is the bathroom? lol

You are correct. It is a private city, (approximately 40 square kilometres) - for those who have arrived, if you know what I mean. Facilities include helicopter pick-up and drops.

[Sam Kapasi]

I drive past all the big expensive fancy cars and go towards one of the restaurants for lunch.

Now we can no longer drive. We must use electric transportation.


As we go towards the restaurant for lunch I get a first glimpse at our Chalet.


Lunch is long and relaxed. Everything is silent, but the sounds of the airconditioning bothers me, lol.






After lunch we walk up the steps to our home. The Chalet-on-the-hill is part of a little Chalet village. It is beyond stunning. Here, take a look.

[Perakath]

Well the bathroom was what I could relate to most

Hope to see some pics of some cool boats on those lakes!

EDIT: Ahh, more cool bathrooms and television rooms! Liked the 100 cc mobike juxtaposed with the Rolls, too. Looking forward to the rest of the pictures-- no more interruptions from me!

[manaa45]

Do the pics open by themselves in the thread or I have to click individually on them to open. I am doing the latter now.

Mansi

[Technocrat]

Thanks a lot Sam for sharing these pics with us

Btw when did you go there? I am asking as I am amazed looking at the greenery in this scorching hot weather