Thandiberi Wildlife Sanctuary Visit

In December 2013, an office group went for a 2-day outing to this lovely patch of wilderness, tucked inside the Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan -  totally new unexplored area for me (I was of course invited to join!). It took 8 hrs of night drive from Ahmedabad for this group of 15 to reach the forest rest house, located about 50 km north of Ranaukpur, the famous Jain Temple city, further away from Udaipur.

What surprised us was the fact that 3 months past the monsoon withdrawal, the larg dam near our rest house was till overflowing, the streams still gurgling, the forest alive in rich green. The rest house is new, the facilities arranged were neat. The Rajasthani food cooked by locals was simply delicious!

The pictures tell you the rest....!

Vintage Car Museum @ Ahmedabad

We in Ahmedabad witness the vintage car rally every year. We knew of owners in Ahmedabad, of these vehicles. However, I admit I was not aware that a vintage car museum was right at our doorstep! It came as a pleasant shock!

This was a discovery that was waiting to happen..or so it seems to me! I am talking about a vintage car collection, a museum, about 30 km from Ahmedabad airport, on the ring road, at Kathwada. It was 'discovered' quite accidentally as there is no publicity, no website address, not even a flyer! At least I have not come across one.

And yet, it is a gem of a museum with over a hundred cars from the 1920 era and onward. The land on which the museum stands, is spread over something like 8 sq. kms. The Museum is owned by Late Shri Pranlal Bhogilal and his family is now running the show through their Trust. It has a staff of 20 mechanics who maintain all the cars through the year, and keep them in sparkling condition.

There is a nominal Entrance Fee, and Camera Fee and one can spend hours admiring the beauties that take the breath away! The place is so serene, so beautiful; there are trained guides. And there is an ethnic kitchen serving hot thalis even as one is entertained by live ethnic music and folk dances during dinners, lighted by lanterns and warmed by wooden camp-fires.

And yes, you can drive one of the selected few oldies for 3 kms for Rs. 500/- only - add three family members for free!

I wish I had kept my Fiat and Maruti 800!! Vain thoughts indeed...!  Enjoy my visit (Jan 2014) through my pix!