A date with nature!

In last few days lots of things have been happening at my end and the most interesting one being that I got an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places that one can every dream of being. For all die hard Sheldon fans, this place surely needs to be placed in your ‘must see’ places.

Dapoli happens to be a small town situated in the interiors of Ratnagiri. The place is blessed by Mother Nature in form of envious Konkan coastline and out-of-the-world landscapes. Though it is 7 hour drive from Pune, still trust me when I say this that you would not get bored at all. Every second spot seems to be picture perfect shot. The narrow road that passes through the ‘ghat’ is spine chilling yet adventuresome. And as you are nearing Dapoli, you have to stop everything and start counting the Mango tress. I bet you would not have seen more Mangos in your entire life that you would get to see just in one day over here. On the way, you would also get to see Supari (betel leaf), phanas (jack fruit), papaya, kaju (cashew), banana and coconut tress, but still Ratnagiri Amba (Alphanso Mango) is the show stopper. And mind it; do not commit the mistake of stealing a fruit. Every yard has watchers and the moment you stop your vehicle, you had it big time. Although it is not first hand experience, but I take a word of those did it in spark of the moment and regretted their decision at a later stage. After a long yet memorable journey, I finally reached the place.

It seemed like I had reached an altogether a different world. A small country side village where there are no sky scrappers or lousy neighbours, no harmful smoke or anyone honking for side, just a quiet tranquil place in the heart of nature. Remember Elizabeth Soffe’s grand mansion kind of house of Bloodline; spacious rooms, big floating curtains, huge windows that opens to picturesque landscapes, mammoth garden where you can relax on the swing while the kids play in the small pool my uncle’s house was exactly like that. Not just that, since the house was on the hill top, it gave us a clear and beautiful view of the village surrounded by lavish green trees.

Near the foyer, I see this jackfruit tree, which happens to be the largest tree borne fruit in the world; standing tall. Just as I entered the house, the swaying of banana leaves drew me closer to the garden in the backyard. Well, it was more of a farm and less of the garden. Supari, phanas, papaya, kaju, banana, coconut, pineapple and yes of course Mango, the farm had it all. What a sight it was! Indeed I saw some of the trees for the first time in life. And as they say patience pays, it did actually. Remember I had been suppressing my temptations for such a long time; finally I got to pluck the forbidden fruit of Ratnagiri from my uncle’s backyard. It was such a delightful moment. All my pain and stress of the journey seem to have vanished. With a mug full of hot shimmering coffee I eased on the swing and enjoyed the titillating sound of leaves dancing at the tune of fresh air and from some remote distance the tickling sound of bird chirping was soothing my senses.