Best Kolhapuri Misal at Bhaja Caves, near Lonavala!

One beautiful Monsoon morning we decided to take a trip to Bhaja Caves, to enjoy the view of the beautiful green countryside there. We took the local train to Malavli, a small hamlet near Lonavala. 
A pleasant walk from Malavli station, across the bridge over the Pune Mumbai Expressway ( it's a amazing experience to see the cars zipping at high speed in either direction below the bridge) brought us to the tiny Bhaja village where  the ancient Bhaja caves are located, and also a water fall which only comes alive in rains, and is a big favorite with the picnickers.
It was near the waterfall where we found this hidden gem - Hotel Shiv Krupa, where we had the most delicious Kolhapuri Misal. This was the best Misal I had ever tasted!

Hot and spicy Kolhapuri Misal can literally put your palate on fire !

 We reached the small waterfall, which becomes quite a torrent during heavy rains. Its a hot favorite with college students and families alike.

 Hotel Shiv Krupa, not much to look at, but they served the most delicious Kolhapuri Misal.
They have seating outside and inside. 

Its a family run place, and they cook only vegetarian food here.  You will get typical Maharashtrian village food here. But the hot favorites are Misal, Kanda Bhajia (onion pakodas), Poha  and ginger tea.

The owner, he is also the cook, a  friendly guy.  His mantra of making finger licking food - " Always use good quality ingredients and your food will surely turn out delicious", I totally agreed with him there.

Finally it was on our table, freshly made  Kolhapuri Misal, with soft paav. I just cant tell u how difficult it was to sit there and wait... smelling the delicious aroma of spices while the Misal rasa  (gravy - this spicy hot gravy is the heart of the Misal) was being cooked in the the kitchen, as our stomachs growled in anticipation of receiving the tasty  treat

The Misal looked really good...but it tasted much better. We didn't stop eating till we were full!  We finished off this delicious meal with a cup of hot ginger tea, which again like the Misal was just perfect !

After this delicious lunch, we went to the near by Bhaja Caves, and spent a lazy afternoon there enjoying the super green surroundings and clicking pictures. 

Ford EcoSport - Your dazzling new travel partner !

The brawny looking Ford EcoSport.

Ford EcoSport,  one of the  most awaited cars for the Indian roads is finally here. Ford calls it the ‘Urban Suv’,  going by its looks this compact crossover vehicle, with 200 mm of ground clearance, can take on any challenge Indian city roads can throw at it, even during the monsoon months when most roads take a heavy beating and go from bad to worse.

Since the first pics of Ford EcoSport were released on the internet car buffs have been drooling over its good looks, Even though the car has compact dimensions, its tall stance and clever design gives it proper suv look.   And the lucky few who have been able to test drive it, have also been talking about the good quality of interiors, its array of hi-tech features, the immensely flexible seating  etc. The ‘Car Gurus’  all over the internet are saying  “Ford EcoSport is best  value for money car in the sub 10 lakh range.”

Ford seemed to have taken a lesson from Mahindra & Mahindra. Mahindra’s had priced the much awaited XUV  much lower than the market expectations, and on top of the low price they also loaded the car with hi-tech features up to the gills. This led to the stupendous success of  Mahindra XUV. Compared to other cars in its class Ford too have priced the EcoSport lower, and loaded the car with hi-tech safety features, a choice of manual and automatic transmission, along with international class fit and finish.

If the market grapevine is to believed Ford EcoSport has received  a bumper opening with over 10,000 cars booked!!! If this is true, we can soon expect many of these ‘Urban Suvs’ running  about in urban and rural India.

If you are someone who will be in the market for a new car in next few months,  keep an eye on the progress of Ford EcoSport , as the ownership reports start trickling in we will be able to judge this car much better. For now… it not  a bad idea to test drive a EcoSport.

For me Ford EcoSport seems like the ideal car for my next drive to Leh, the compact dimensions, and high ground clearance, seem perfect to me to take on the narrow twisting Himalayan roads.