This post is based on organising life, which is one of my favourite topics to write on. It speaks about managing your life when you work in a full-time job. You are so occupied that you find it difficult to squeeze in time for yourself and your friends and family. You can't even accommodate to do your basic tasks in your daily hustle.

I received a request from a friend who solemnly cribbed about how she faces this problem. She further added how she cannot make time for staying fit, meeting her friends or managing her tasks due to the overpacked schedule. If you relate with my friend and have a similar issue, then continue reading.

Before we begin finding a solution, we must analyse the problems we face while working 10-7. The problems would vary depending on your timings and probably the kind of job you have. But, more or less, all our problems can be clubbed together and divided likewise:

I think the biggest concern, especially after understanding how passive we've become and the kind of junk we eat is losing fats and staying fit. We sit at our desks the whole day, casually munching on chips or doughnuts. We do try to burn down fats by having a cup of green tea religiously, however, under the rose, we know that it's not going to suffice alone; we know that we need to get our bodies working. Therefore, we try our best to join a gym or probably, unsystematically perform yoga in the morning before we leave.

The top of the heap way to tackle this problem is to work out at home. You don't require fancy gym-wear or a gym membership or an accomplice for a jog. All you need is about 15 minutes of your morning time.
On weekdays, instead of waking up at the usual 6 o'clock, wake up at 5:45 am and exercise. You need to cover all your body parts. Firstly, start with stretching, followed by 12 Suryanamaskars. Then, work on those abs: Go for 30 situps and three more sets of other stomach exercises. Next, cardio exercises: 200 jumps would be enough. Lastly, work on your arms: Do push-ups depending on how much is your capacity. And then, reverse push-ups and mountain-climbers, again depending on your capacity. By following this 15-minute workout, you concentrate on your entire body. And, I always believe that it is better to work out a little regularly than to not move your body at all.

Apart from that, on weekends, you can go for a jog in a nearby park with your friends. This could be a perfect dose of refreshment as you combine working out and finding a solution to problem number 2 at the same time.

If you haven't been bugged even once by your friends saying how busy you are and how you don't have enough time for them, then I wonder, are they even your friends? All of us are taunted by our buds every now and then. Few of us religiously make time every weekend for drinks, but not everyone is a regular drinker. And, when you're working in a full-time job, I'm assuming you're already in your mid-20s, where you don't have just one set of friends. You have school friends, society friends, junior college friends, grad and postgrad friends, work colleagues, and your better halves to spend your weekends with. And, on top of that, if a friend from abroad is visiting your city, then an impromptu meet is added to the already long list of the catch-ups.

➾ SOLUTION

On weekdays, if for once you are free by 8:00 pm, you can meet your partner for a date, a movie or just binge-eating chaat. Once a week, you can catch up with your friends instead of your partner.
On weekends, according to the number of groups you're a part of, prioritise. You can meet your fast friends every month, you can meet your casual friends once every two months, and so on. The best way to rebound could be going on weekend trips. You can camp, trek, or simply rewind in a resort; hire a villa, or once every three months, go to Goa! The best way, eh?

SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY & DOING HOUSEHOLD CHORES

Doing a full-time job, meeting friends and spending time with your partner is relatively done easily, but you know what you're missing out on? Your family. We're so used to the idea of weekends and finally chilling after a week of work, that we feel we're ought to have fun every weekend. But, when you're out, partying or simply having coffee with friends, your parents are in the dire need of spending time with their children. Just sit down and reflect, how many weekends have you spent with your family? Having breakfast or lunch together is fine, but then, have you been giving yourself to the family lately? If the answer is yes, you're doing a great job in balancing life, my friend; but if you're not, then, time to alter your schedule a bit.

➾ SOLUTION

When you plan for a weekend getaway trip, don't forget to include family getaways too. Once every six months, you can do a family outing. Put a leave of five days, and go on a family vacation somewhere. It's a nice way to gel up with them. You learn so many new things and understand that they have developed new habits over the months. You also realise they're getting old as they're not as active as they used to be. Another great way is to sit down with them every night and share your day and ask them about theirs as well.


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So now, in a gist, if I have to divide my problems and make a schedule, then this is how it would be.

(Just a disclaimer: Not everyone has their Saturdays off and this post focuses on those individuals that have their Saturdays working so it's fair for everyone.)
Since one of the two days of the weekends you have a job to go to, it means you only have one day––which is a Sunday––in a week to crunch in all the things.

This section basically tells you how you can manage your weekdays and your Sunday in such a way that you are able to kill all your problems.

WEEKDAYS

So let’s talk about weekdays first: What can you do on weekdays that can help you make the most of them?

WRITING YOUR DAILY TO-DOS

Firstly, carry a diary every day to the office. And, I suggest you carry a diary that you would really be using; something you would love using. For instance, if you adore cute hearts, then go for a pretty diary. If you’re a Potter Head, go for a Harry Potter themed diary and so on. The second thing while choosing a diary is its length, breadth, and the weight. The thicker the diary, the more reluctant you will be to carry it. So pick a diary that has lesser pages.

If you’re not a fan of the blue and black inks, then you can use coloured-ink pens. I really love those by Uni-Ball brand; they're brilliant!

So once you’re sorted with a pen and a diary, you can start noting down the tasks. You can also divide them according to the priorities: The topmost would be the highly important ones followed by not so important and then the least important that you know are not timely. When you keep a little diary and a pen with you every day, you are aware of your game; you know what is supposed to be done when.

WEEKDAY MORNINGS: EXERCISE!

Again on weekdays, as I mentioned in the first section, you can work out and stay fit by utilising the mornings. I don’t care if you leave your house at 7 o’clock, you must work out for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning. It’s so easy; you don’t need to join a gym for that. Honestly, it’s all about moving your body which you were not able to because of your overpacked schedule.
Next, to keep up with your water intake or to ensure that you’re not eating anything junk, you need to avoid eating outside food. Even if you do, make sure it's a healthy dish. The best way is to carry tiffin from your home––and no, it's not uncool at all! If due to some reason, you're not able to carry a tiffin, then join a tiffin service. Every day, a guy delivers you a lunch box which has rotis, rice, sabzis, dals, etc.
And when it comes to drinking water, keep a one-litre bottle at your desk. It doesn't matter how many times you're visiting the loo. Just screw what others think and drink as much water as possible.

WEEKDAY NIGHTS: KEEPING OUTFITS READY

Last but not the least is keeping your outfits ready the night before work. It’s simple; just keep out the top, the bottom, the accessories and the lipstick, and you have a little extra time next morning, which you can utilise for working out.

WEEKENDS

Now comes the point where I will talk about how to manage your Sundays. So if you have Saturdays off, then that's amazing! But, if you don’t, then you only have one day a week. So, let's assume that your Saturdays are working and Sundays are off. In this section, I will give you tricks on how you can make the most of your Sundays. (Psst! You can apply the same trick for Saturdays if they're off for you!)

Let's divide our Sundays into three time zones:

WEEKEND (LATE) MORNINGS

I am aware that Sunday mornings are usually spent sleeping. There's no harm in doing that and I say, continue sleeping till 10:00 am on Sundays. Once you’re awake and back to your senses, you can dedicate the slot after for self-pampering. You can paint your nails, wash your hair, put on a face mask, and so on. Then, once you're fresh after a nice shower, it is time to help your parents with the household chores. Make sure that every Sunday, you cook lunch. I know your mom makes delicious non-veg food on Sundays, but then, you're an adult now; you need to take over responsibilities. Learn your mom's secret ways of all the chicken and fish recipes, and who knows? You might beat her in that? 

WEEKEND AFTERNOONS

Next, in the afternoons, you can organize your life. Well, just turn on the air conditioner and start organising your room. You can declutter your closet, your bag or whatever clean-up you need in the house. You can dedicate each Sunday afternoon according to these chores. And after all this, you can take a nap for an hour, followed by having tea with parents.

WEEKEND EVENINGS

As mentioned earlier, you can spend your evenings meeting friends and your partner. You can club two things together: meet your friends and partner at once, or shop with your friends, or jog with your partner, or run errands with your friends, and so on.


How do you manage your time when working full-time?

Due to the steadfast pace and the unavoidable pressure to perform the best, even the toughest of us are weighed down and are thriving to survive. People are moving outdoors in order to get back on track and have a life apart from the unending rat race. However, not all of us are fortunate to have a job that lets us travel frequently. May it be because of lesser salaries, lesser opportunities to score a long vacation, or simply, our lazy attitude, all of us wish to travel but somehow, cannot.

In this post, I help you with certain tips that might help you travel more, and travel often.

SAVE MONEY TO TRAVEL

I particularly remember the scene from the Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Akshay Kumar starrer movie Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, where you can see the young Salman obsessing with his money pots which he saves for carrying out certain duties towards his beliefs and his families. Likewise, you can keep aside an earthen pot to yourself, wherein you put some money from your salary on a monthly basis. Even if you keep aside a couple of thousands, you make a lot by the yearend that can fund your first international trip to a place like the exotic Indonesian island, Bali, or a budget trip to the extravagant Dubai.

MAKE THE MOST OF LONG WEEKENDS

I need not tell this since a lot of you already wait for weekends to hit the road and have fun with your pals. But in case you're a lethargic person who loves outdoors but are too lazy to plan anything, then let me write it in bold for you––make the most of your long weekends. If you plan a trip spontaneously, then chances are, you'll end up going to Lonavala. You obviously need a week-prior planning for making your holidays joyous. Search for a long-weekend list online and make a note on your calendar. Pick out destinations, research on how to reach, what to expect, and lastly, gather all the power to convince your friends. And, just like that, you are travelling on every weekend!

EXPLORE PLACES NEAR YOU 

I have been focussing on this very point since forever. When there are so many promising places around you, what's the need to travel somewhere far in order to calm the wanderlust bug? You can open maps and scan for all the travel-worthy places around you. Jump on a city tour bus and go get awed by your nation's rich history in those galleries! Get in touch with a local trekking group and go make friends. Travelling does not just mean crossing political boundaries.
Read: How to explore offbeat places

VENTURE OUTDOORS 

If your salary does not let you travel, then the cheapest way to still unwind is to hit the outdoors. You can set a camp beside a river, hike up a hillock, trail through a forest, or drive down the roads of a lesser visited place to do nothing but have tea and a plate of snacks. The options are endless. If you want to camp, just buy a tent––which would be a good investment––and venture anywhere. If you're scared to go in nature alone due to various reasons, the best thing is to pay a little extra and join a trek/camp group. Trust me, I had been with a group once, and I made so many friends!
Also read: Camping Essentials

VOLUNTEER TO TRAVEL 

When I was in Kolkata, I had made this awesome friend Pratibha, who told me about a student-run organization AIESEC. She told me she was going to Egypt for one and a half months for about a lakh rupees only. I was surprised, and no doubt wanted to learn about it more. So she told me how this organization runs. There are two options on their website: one, to volunteer (wherein you pay money and in return help some needy cause) or two, you work in a full-time job in some other country where you only pay for the travel and the salary, along with your stay and food is taken care by your hosts. If you're an English teacher and want to stay in countries like Vietnam, China, and the like, go check the website immediately!

THE BEST TYPE OF JOB THERE IS: FREELANCE

How do you think all those who travel full-time can afford the tickets and the hotel stays? You think they have some inherited money with which they can explore the world? For some, it could be; but for most of us, there's only one way how we fund our travels: by freelancing. You won't be making enough money and might have to switch to budget trips instead of the luxurious resorts but trust me, the places you would be visiting and the financial freedom you would get, would surpass it all. You just need to analyse what service can you provide online; for instance, if you know to code, do coding, if you're a mind-blowing graphic designer, help companies with your talent, if you have the decent ability to put words together, then be a freelance writer, and so on.

VISIT YOUR DISTANT FRIENDS & RELATIVES

We all have an aunt who always cribs how we never visit her. If you want to travel, the best way would be to visit your relatives. Their happiness would be beyond words plus you get a free stay, free food, and free mini-trips around the place they live! How perfect! If your dad stays abroad, just book the cheapest flight tickets and get going!
Additionally, our college friends move out of the city for studies or a job, and you can definitely crash at their place, especially if their home allows anyone in. Have a friend working in Bangalore? Go to the Garden City and explore in and around. Have a friend studying in the UK? Save some money and get going. By visiting your friends and family, you save a lot of money plus get a really nice company to keep you.

BOOK THE TICKETS ALREADY!

Enough of your 'I don't have money' or 'My friends are too lazy for a trip'. Save money and go solo, if there's nobody to accompany you. Who told you travelling requires a lot of money? You just need to know where to spend and where not to. Travel cheaply and by local transport, eat local food or at cheap joints, stay in a decent hotel, and the list goes on. If you want something badly, the whole universe conspires to make sure you get it. Remember that. 

When modern Singapore was founded by the British in 1819, there was a mass migration of Indians to the island. Initially, the migration comprised young men who came to work on the new economy, or who were in the military force, or simply convicts sent here as a labour force. However, the population of Indian Singaporeans has evolved over the years, and a settled community with a balanced gender ratio and an evenly spread of age groups was seen since the 20th Century. 

Today, Indian Singaporeans are the third largest ethnic group in Singapore, making the Lion City a popular destination for both educated and unskilled Indian immigrants looking for a professional position. But more importantly, it’s this rich Indian culture that makes Singapore the perfect spot to explore what life would have been like if your ancestors had chosen to move abroad. There is such a sense of multiculturalism to Singapore that it’s impossible not to be curious about the possibilities of this city that unites the food, beliefs, arts, architecture, languages, and dreams of a variety of Asian civilisations. What do you need to plan for a trip to Singapore? Here’s a handy little guide, with everything you need to know, from a brief history lesson to how the Lion City could inspire you to improve your hometown. 

First of all, the Indian population in Singapore accounts for over 7% of the citizen population, which comes third after the Chinese and Malay ethnic groups. In fact, Singapore has one of the largest overseas Indian populations as a result of the Indian diaspora. Consequently, you’ll find plenty of notable representatives in education, diplomacy, the law, and politics. For instance, the Minister for Trade & Industry, S. Iswaran, has been working from 2015 to 2018. But he’s been actively involved in politics since 1997 and served as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office before. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, V. Balakrishnan is also of Indian origins and has previously held positions in the Singapore Cabinet. The current President of Nanyang Technological University, since January 2018, is another example of success for the Indian ethnic group in Singapore. Ultimately, it’s fair to say that you might not feel completely in a foreign culture when you visit the Lion City. The Indian roots of the city are strong and visible. 

If you’re still planning the best dates to visit the Lion City, you need to know that Singapore has not only one monsoon season, but two main monsoon seasons. Indeed, the Northeast Monsoon Season goes from December to March, while the Southwest Monsoon Season covers June to September. However, the Northeast Monsoon has both a wet phase (December and January) and a dry phase (February and March). However, there is no distinctive difference between the actual dry and wet seasons in Singapore, as a dry season still has rainy months. The rainfall is just less significant during this period. Ultimately, if you’re planning on backpacking, you might want to get your specialist camping gear ready. You’ll need a monsoon-proof tent and plenty of tight, waterproof bags to protect your clothes. However, you can also save yourself the troubles of wet camping and look for a property for rent Singapore based. You’ll find that renting a home inside the city also ensures you’re best placed for future visits. 

There is a lot to see in Singapore! In fact, there are so many contrasting elements that you need to stick to a precise schedule to see it all. Contrary to the typical image of a slick and ultra-modern skyscrapers city, there’s a part of town that is more stripped-back with family-run cafes and traditional kopi, for instance. Start your tour with the Gardens by the Bay where you’ll find exotic plants, sculptures and breathtaking light shows at night. You also need to try the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, Hawker Chan, for an exquisite Chicken rice meal. Try the Selfie Coffee in Kampong Glam, where your selfie is printed onto an iced coffee, for something different during the day. And lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to have a drink at Altitude, the highest al fresco rooftop bar which offers incredible views of the city. 

If you choose to stay for a couple of weeks, you’ll start noticing the differences between Singapore and Mumbai, both cities that are developing quickly with dreams of becoming the centre of Asian commerce and innovation. Consequently, both cities attract a population of migrants from a variety of Asian countries and regions to take advantage of the opportunity available to unskilled workers. Similarly, both cities also see senior level foreigners take on leadership roles. But the life in Singapore, the structured and organised city, doesn’t compare to the life in Mumbai, which is vibrant with colours, noises, and spontaneity. Singapore is home to bars and clubs, while Mumbai is home to the Bollywood dance clubs. You can gamble in the Lion City, but it is illegal in Mumbai. 

Singapore is regularly praised for its clean streets. But the dedication of the city for cleanliness goes beyond the street, as Singapore is aiming to solve environmental challenges in waste management, recycling, and resource recovery. Indeed, the rapid urbanisation of the city puts pressures on its green and liveable environment. For overseas cities, there is a lot to learn from Singapore’s waste management history, that started as early as in the 1970s. 

So, you’ve decided, and nothing can stop you? Fantastic! Just one thing left to sort out, namely your luggage for the trip. Singapore is the kind of place that has a year-long summer, so make sure to pack your sun gear and swimwear. As for clothing, do remember to pack one nice outfit as Singaporeans rarely dress down, so you need to fit in. If you’re going during the monsoon seasons, do remember to pack a cardigan and a light jacket. 

Ultimately, the Lion City is a place that combines the Eastern and Western cultures to perfection. For Indian travellers, it’s the occasion to discover a hidden potential, to find out what home could have been. For anyone else, it’s the chance to dive into a world rich in cultures, sightings, and modern efficiency. 

If you’ve never heard of slow travel before, then, fair warning: this might change the way you travel from now on! Do you know how sometimes, after you get back from a break away, you’re more tired than before you left? It’s no mystery, it’s just that you’ve tried to cram so much into your trip, that you’ve had no time to relax. And if you did have time to relax, you were always thinking that I should get up and do some sightseeing. Slow travel changes all that. Instead of moving all the time, you do things slowwwwwllllly, and focus on just doing things that are good for the spirit and soul. It recaptures the true essence of travelling, essentially. Below, we take a look at twelve tips for getting the most out of your new found travel approach! 

We have a tendency to view travel guidebooks as some sort of bible for the destination we’re planning on visiting, but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s only one writer’s view. Just because something is labelled as a “must see”, does not make it so. Take museums for example. Open up a guidebook to, well, anywhere, and you’ll see plenty of museums listed. But what if you’ve got no interest in the subject they’re exhibiting? There’s little point roaming around a renaissance art gallery if you have zero interest in renaissance art! So take a fresh look at all these places you’re told you should visit, and plan to skip them if you know they’re not really for you. You’re not missing out on anything if you don’t appreciate it!

There’s nothing wrong with taking a few snaps while we’re travelling; it’s always nice to look back at good times! But there’s a big difference between taking a few snaps for memory’s sake and constantly having your phone out, taking photos and videos of everything. There’s more to travelling than viewing everything through your smartphone screen! It’s not just photos, either; tech overall could be left behind. You don’t need to be told by other visitors which restaurants are worth visiting and which are not; figure it out for yourself. Equally, there is magic in avoiding the use of Google Maps when in a foreign city. Go get lost a little - you might just find something that makes your trip extra special by surprise.

You have your way of doing things, which was influenced by how things are done wherever you live. The same applies across the world, and they’ll be different to your own routines! If you’re in Seville during late spring and summer, then you’ll find the streets relatively deserted between 1 - 6 pm. Everyone’s having a siesta, away from the heat, but they’ll be back out until the early hours of the morning. Let yourself be taken over by the rhythms of other cities and destinations. You never know, you might just find a smart way of doing things, which you can then incorporate into your life back home.

Slow travel is akin to living like a local, as suggested in the paragraph above. And locals do not live in hotels, at least through choice. So if you want to make the most of slow travelling, then you need to think about alternative accommodation types. Instead of automatically checking into a hotel, think about booking an apartment or house; in some cases, you might be able to “house swap” whereby you temporarily change homes––and, to an extent, lives––with another person. As nice as a stay in a hotel can be, it doesn’t offer a very “real” experience, does it? It’s nothing like what you have at home. By staying somewhere like a local, you’ll be getting more of an “insider” view of your destination.

If you’re travelling locally, then a week or two staying in one accommodation type is just fine. But if you’re going further afield, then it’s a good idea to think about extending your trip. This will mean you’re not spending your entire time there trying to get over your jet lag and will help you to really get to know a place. If you choose a base that’s well connected to other areas, then you’ll be able to explore the entire region, too. If you’re lucky enough to have a job that allows you to work remotely, then you can take a look at places like a studio for rent in KL; from there, you can slow travel your way through lush sceneries, idyllic islands, or go trekking through the rainforest. The more time you spend in a place, the slower you’re able to travel; simple!

Slow travel is a little bit more considerate than the usual “I came, I saw, I conquered” approach favoured by many travellers. One of the best ways to give back to the place that’s opened its doors to you is to give back in one way or another. Get involved with local charities that bring the community together, and see what you can do. You’ll meet plenty of cool people, and they’ll be delighted that you’re giving as well as taking.

An aeroplane might get you from A to B the quickest, but why make speed a priority? You’re away from the rush of everyday life, so slow down. You’ll see and enjoy much of the country you’re visiting if you’re able to journey overland, be it by car or train. A journey might only take 1.5 hours on a plane, but you’ll be stuck in a metal tube with hundreds of other people, who wants that? Enjoy the view instead! You’ll make much better memories in the process! 

FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, has become something of a problem in recent years. Perhaps it’s because so many photos are shared on Instagram and other social media sites of smiling people on their travels, we think that in order to have a proper experience abroad, we need to somehow...live up to something, though we don’t know exactly what that is. If you’re doing something, then commit to it; don’t spend your time wondering what life would have been like if only you’d visited the other neighbourhood, or attended the party you were invited to, or anything else. FOMO is just a cruel trick that your mind plays on you; it’s not real, and you’re not missing out on anything. Be present!

The slow travel movement is a spin-off from the slow food movement, which works as a counterpoint to the ”fast food” establishments. So while engaging in slow travel, adopt the slow food approach too. That means staying well away from those chains that have been imported from the States, and really taking the time to get to know the local culinary highlights. And hey, you’re on holiday: you can treat yourself to a three-hour lunch if you wish.

Ultimately, it’s all about the adventure, about enjoying the process of travelling, rather than just going through the emotions of “been there, done that”, the likes of which are promoted by social media sites and commercial travel websites. Throw off the bowlines, get out there, and have a look at the world without a filtered lens in the way!

I recall, in my childhood, there were three popular hill stations that the parents took their kids to in Junes and in Decembers. One is the land of strawberry farms, Mahabaleshwar, second, the notorious Khandala-Lonavala duo and the third, the hill station that was popular as the one with horses and monkeys and a lot of walking to do––Matheran.

While Lonavala is dotted with people on weekdays and swarming on weekends, there’s a hill station, proximate to the city––unlike Mahabaleshwar–– that I guess people have begun to lose a memory of.

When I visited the “smallest hill station of India”—Matheran—and boasted about its beauty by sharing pictures of it, a girl messaged me asking about the place. When I replied that the beautiful place was Matheran indeed, she smirked and said, “I didn’t know people still go there.”

I was in a huff listening to her impolite words but then, when the emotions gradually faded, her words still continued to echo. Is Matheran no longer visited by the millennials? Is Matheran a forgotten hill station?

I started digging deep into it and though I don’t have any concrete answer to my questions, I can affirmatively say that though Matheran is unfamiliar amongst the millennials––which, by the way, I would like to correct, gullible, opulent millennials––it is still visited by many: the parents who bring their little ones to enjoy horse and toy train rides, groups of college students and graduates who wish to have a fabulous time amidst rains, couples who are tired of sneaking around in the city and are looking forward to rekindling their love in hotel rooms and into the foggy woods, and the remaining bunch who visit to hire a cottage so that they can smoke up and make the most of their weekends.

Irrespective of how uncool few might think it is, I can grimly declare: Matheran is a drop-dead gorgeous hill station and I'm utterly blown by its beauty. This is why precisely I’m writing on this forlorn hill station today.

An abandoned shelter

The beauty of any place increases manifold on a weekday, I believe. But unfortunately, most of the populace have working weekdays (may it be schools/colleges or full-time working jobs). Therefore, the only option remains is the weekend. Luckily for me, I could visit Matheran when the hustle and the bustle were low.

I had not intended to visit Matheran this year and it was nowhere on my mind but it seems it was destined for me to step on the land and perhaps lift the unfashionable cover it was hiding under. When Pratibha announced her plans for exploring The City of Dreams and requesting me to be her companion, I was excited! We spoke on the call for an hour, she speaking from the East Coast (Kolkata) and me from the West Coast (Mumbai) discussing where to go and what to do. I was determined to take her around the main obsessions of Tourists Visiting Mumbai like the Gateway of India, the iconic Taj hotel, street shopping at Colaba Causeway, and so on. Our first-day itinerary was set but we could not come to a conclusion for the second day. We wanted to get away from the city. Pratibha had always heard about the mystical Western Ghats and so she was determined to explore at least one nature spot away from the city. And, identical to all the travellers across the globe, even she had done her homework. She suggested Matheran and I was speechless.

At that point I knew, Matheran was where we were going.

We could start sensing the vibes of this cosy hill station right when we got down at Neral station. I had had a blurry picture of Neral's charm. I was aware of the chilly weather, the fog, the grey clouds, the fluorescent greenery, and the energy around that place. We were welcomed by a chaotic group of Muslim men and we chose to ignore and walk towards the shared taxi stand. Little did we know that the men were the cabbies, seeking out for financial opportunities, exactly how you see at any touristy place.

We sat in a cab, which was shared by two couples and Pratibha and me, who looked insanely odd amongst the couples. While the peddlers hissed if they wanted a room, they had no brilliant ways to sell their hotel rooms to two girls. Until an intelligent peddler suggested us to take a room so that we could let go of our heavy luggage. He also mentioned the unavailability of public washrooms on the top and that it is wise if we hire a room for Rs. 800 only. But...no, we did not fall for it.

The toy train track

The drive towards Dasturi (the entry gate of Matheran) was picturesque from both the sides. While one side displayed extensive views of the green valley, the other was no less wonderful. It was seldom visited by waterfalls that looked scenic. I was enjoying the chilly warmth of the green blanket around me, but I was accustomed to such breathtaking views. However, while I was engrossed, it suddenly occurred to me that Pratibha was a first-timer. She was witnessing the Western Ghats newly. I turned to her and she was enjoying too.

On entering Dasturi, we wondered how long the stretch is. What lied inside Matheran was our enigma. The entrance itself looked so mystical, with thick rows of trees on both sides, a light layer of fog, monkeys tottering around, horses waiting for their customers, and a dollop of tranquillity. We chose to walk instead of riding on a horse.

Soon, we reached the Aman Lodge ticket counter and bought two one-way tickets to Matheran station. The platforms looked impressive too. My brother, on watching my Matheran vlog, said that the station was newly built since he hadn't seen it before.

The train arrived within 15 minutes of the wait. I was as excited as a kid. The famous Matheran toy train was here. The Ticket Checker arranged our seats and the train took us through a short panoramic journey. My mother had told me that the toy train is shut during monsoon, but since the Aman Lodge to Matheran passage was safe from prospective landslides and had no deep valley on any of its sides, the track was functional. I wished the journey was longer, though. However, all the little kids in my bogey were enjoying their jhuk-jhuk-gaadi and the occasional squirts rushing from the outside.

The market area was disorderly and more number of heads were spotted here. I only thanked it was not a weekend otherwise we would have missed the whole fanciful experience. We came across the first viewpoint, which I'm too ashamed to share: Madhavji Point. It was inside a garden and was full of filth. We were disappointed, needless to say. I hoped Matheran was not this. I had an outsider with me and I did not want her to believe that my entire home state is full of filth.

Completely drenched

We continued our walk towards Echo Point and were welcomed with ghastly guests; the fog was extremely dense and the wind was fierce. Such an exotic place, I thought! How lucky to witness this amazing view. The point was wonderous too. We could see a green pinnacle, a wide valley, and a far-off lake that was adorned with river streams. How powerful rains are, I thought, and how nature turns into a massive meadow during monsoon!

We were lucky to get pictures without any hindrance as soon, more people approached. Pratibha and I understood that it was time to check another viewpoint.

Any monsoon travel compulsorily requires having a plate of Maggi and onion fritters, roasted corn, and a cup of any warm beverage; it's like oxygen. The trip is incomplete without these unmissable snacks. Likewise, we were too delighted to have our noodles and tea and then continued to our next viewpoint: Honeymoon Point.

I have no idea what this viewpoint is all about. Forget honeymooners, not even college couples would be interested to spend their time here. (I cannot hold myself back and I need to cite Circuit from Munnabhai MBBS movie, which goes,“...yeh toh shuru hote hi khatam hota hai.” The Honeymoon Point is so true to this legendary quote from a legendary character.) Skip this viewpoint, it's a request. Psst! If you're looking for a romantic moment here, then you shouldn't think about it. Firstly, the place is too short for you two to sit (hardly one person can make it), secondly, it's fairly steep (I'm sure you don't want to let go off your beau), and lastly, there's trash everywhere.
I don't even know why this is considered a viewpoint. It looks like a nasty pitstop we make when we're too desperate to click pictures of the valley but the road is covered by trees on both the sides.

We walked back and recommended all the passersby to go back too. We told them the viewpoint had nothing to offer. We were not disappointed. Our next viewpoint was the Malang Point. We reached there to see a green carpet and two cement benches that looked insanely picturesque. The entire area was full of greens and it looked beautiful. No trash sighted, no people too. It was the perfect spot.

On climbing the brusque plateau, we saw one of the best views ever! Such a vast spectacle of the valley that was loaded with rivulets and ponds. It was indeed a divine sight! Unexpectedly, a boy approached and asked Pratibha to click his pictures. He was the no-bullshit chap; his friends were taking too long so he proceeded ahead. Within no time, his friends joined in too.

Smiling at the Echo Point

Our last viewpoint was the Louisa Point, which was equally good. We witnessed a reverse waterfall as the violent winds blew. It was showering and we were fully wet. Pratibha was having the time of her life. She was sitting quietly and was absorbing the reality in. She was grateful to take this leap of exploring Mumbai and then spend 45 days in Egypt. She was proud that she believed in herself...I could read her mind and her smile...

Matheran had blessed us both with contentment and happiness.

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