Day 10, Matheran [Thursday 13th December 2007]
Previous day: Day 9, Matheran [Wednesday 12th December 2007]
Next day: Day 11, Pune [Friday 14th December 2007]
The stray dogs here in Materan make a cacophony all night long. Firstly, one howls a long, lonely howl somewhere in the distance. Then another responds. Before you know it there are a hundred dogs, big and small, gruff and yappy, all barking, howling, grunting and wailing into the night right outside your window.
We have idli sambar for breakfast - small, steamed fermented rice cakes with a sourish, soupy dal to dip them in. It's a nice, light meal in the morning. We also have tea and coffee, both of which are hot, brown, thick and sweet, and virtually indistinguishable.
We spend all day wandering the leafy paths around the hill. We find Charlotte Lake - the town's water supply - Lord's Point, and make a well timed trip to Panorama Point, also known as Sunrise Point. We go there around 6pm, and see absolutely no one on the hour long walk. That's because the crowds of honeymooners and day trippers are all at the well publicised Sunset Point on the other side of the hill! Our plans works, and we have a peaceful, solitary view over the whole surrounding countryside, the rolling hills mostly obscured by the haze of dense humidity.
On the way back we walk along the railway track, and meet some kids who try out their English on us, and we try out some Hindi on them. I introduce Kate as my wife. They think she's called "Cakes" and laugh.
I had Singapore noodles for lunch, and they were so good I have them again for dinner. Materan is a bit like Brighton or Bournemouth - a heavily touristed city break destination, rammed at the weekend but quiet during the week, and almost a ghost town during the off season. At a couple of the viewing points there are men with games like "throw the ball in the bucket for a prize!" One sign says:
1st prize - Unlimited go'sThere's also a bloke by he park who will take your photo, with a manual film camera. I guess he posts it to you once it's developed.
2nd prize - camera
3rd prize - munch
The views really are stunning here, and we've had some great food and had fun meeting more inquisitive kids.
Next day: Day 11, Pune [Friday 14th December 2007]
Previous day: Day 9, Matheran [Wednesday 12th December 2007]