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-   -   Mahabaleshwar: A visit to Strawberry and Corn Country !!! (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/58970-mahabaleshwar-visit-strawberry-corn-country-4.html)

Amazing snaps and I am really longing for good kala jamuns and some really yummy strawberries. Am sure that you can buy them for a song out there and here in Bangalore, we need to shell out a bomb.

I really like the rest of the snaps and its a great place to visit. Thanks for the pics and am sure that you have some. So, bring them on ...

do this trip in the monsoons,the place would be out of this world for sure.

avi dost: the ice cream pics make me real jealous now ,time to grab a strawberry candy bar from my office canteen now.:D

Avi bhai, great travelogue and very nice pictures..just couldn't stop looking at those strawberry ice cream pictures.

looking forward for your write up on the return journey, specially the Satara to Pandarpur stretch.:D

Rajeshbhai, why are you sending mr Vnabhi to Mahabaleshwar in monsoon?:D

dinbhar hotel room mey hi baithaneka iraada hai kya?lol:

Good idea---but will the strawberries be there?

arey nahi bhau ,places like mahableshwar and matheran are like scotland during the rains.

i remember i spend the weekend at this place called 'manas resorts' just before igatpuri. the clouds were literally in my room man.lol

clubbed with the visit to bhandardara.i had a great time dude:thumbs up

to get wet and then head out to some shack serving hot chai with kaanda bhaji .what more you can ask for re.

that reminds me the temperature outside right now is close to 40 degrees:Frustrati

Thanks buddy. Return stretch was not lonely at all. Wait for that story to unfold.

Exactly Ashish, I was told by the hotel fella that 3 months within a radius of 8 kms, there is no sun seen at all. So imagine. Its only rain and fog. Would be a pretty sight if someone else is driving...LOL

After taking in the gander of Kate's point and checking out its bells and curves, we decided to move on to Mapro.

Well, Let me quickly outline something about Mapro. It is not just a brand but seems to be an anthem in Mahabaleshwar. Hoardings, Placards, Sign boards everything seem to scream "Mapro" back at you.

Mapro is the oldest and most famous brand in Mahabaleshwar which sells the famous squashes, Jams,Fudges etc. They have an incredible 47 flavors and have a full fledge tasting session area. You can ask for any flavour and they just give it to you in small shot glasses.

We must have tried over 15 flavours and i didnt want to jeopardize my health by going any further and out which we decided 8-9 flavours to be picked up.

Also, they have a nice food counter and serve some amazing grilled sandwiches and Pizzas. Though slightly on the expensive side, but worth it for the ambience ( they have a nice pond inside) and lovely seating area.

Their ice-cream counter requires a special mention. Can you beileve, they make fresh waffle cones right in front of you and serve it with fresh strawberry ice cream, loaded with fresh cream, squash and what not !!!! Amazing stuff and a MUST VISIT !!

During Monsoons half of Mahableshwar is shut, but if you want to enjoy some peaceful time with no disturbance, no crowd, some driving in heavy rains, monsoons are the time to go, because it just pours and pours and pours some more, Mahableshwar gets the second highest rainfall in India after Cherrapunji. No wonder its the source of rivers like Krishna & Koyna.

The plants are grown after Monsoon, the fruits are available only from March onwards.

Looks like i need to get my ride here and check this out!:D I believe its about 1.5 hours from here! clap:Awesome pics man....

1.5 hours? I suppose you mean from Pune---you gotta update your city in your profile!!

Amit, I am jealous of you now. Pune-Mahabaleshwar is just 120kms ( Man, closer than Nagarjunsagar from Hyd, imagine).

I feel :mad: about Hyd now !!!

arey uncle what theo does not have is the company of the cug gang hyderabad style.

is he going to be a part of the mega meet tommorrow? No ,he isnt

now who's more jealous :D

Very true bhanje:)

Now its time for some pictures of the hotel premises, restuarant and some yummy breakfast plate. And how can a travelogue be complete without some poses in front of the ride:D

Nice pics of the hotel. How many days in advance did you book it? Do you mind sending me the contact number on PM?

I love this travelogue and pics, they bring back memories of M'war from 2 decades ago! I guess it is time I re-visited the place.

The best seasons to hit Panchgani, Mahabhaleshwar and Pratapgarh are the monsoons and the strawberry season. During the monsoon the place is extremely beautiful, with moss covering everything, fog/mist rolling in and enveloping the hillsides, you pretty much have the place to yourself and naturally get the VVIP treatment. The vadas, bajjis, tarri etc. definitely taste better when it is raining. If the cloud, rain etc. make you gloomy, head down to Wai for a bit of sunshine and be back by the end of the day.

Mid-February to the end of March is when the strawberries are in season, the best ice-cream is the home made variety available in the strawberry fields.

The places are pretty deserted during both the 'right' seasons and are just a short distance away from Pune.

Cheers,