Rejuvenation at Rare Valley

Quite often even a seasoned trekker reaches rock bottom of her inventory of not-been to places. At such times, if an offer to visit an unknown destination comes along, it is welcomed. "Ninety minutes is all it takes to reach us from anywhere in Mumbai," said Rakesh Seth, owner of Rare valley, a farm house in Vasai. And ninety minutes is all it took us to reach there.

"By way of attractions what could a farm house do for us?" That morning we found our answer within seconds of crossing over into Gorbunder on the western express highway. The region, seemingly unscarred by human hands, has picturesque scenery quite unlike that found in the rest of Mumbai, other than in the man made parks.

The simple act of breathing in pure air became a marvellous pursuit as we realised we were actually beyond industrial intrusion. The colour of grass was deep green and proud trees brandished leaves that glistened from a recent cloudburst. The water was calm in the Bassein creek and we had few contenders on the road. Even the monsoon was on our side that morning!

Rare Valley lies just four kilometres into east Vasai on the Vasai-Bhivandi highway and on the face of it, we felt as if Mumbai's escalating populace had dwindled to zilch. In neighbouring Kaman Village the desertion was absolute and at Village Poman, our target, we had our first human interface inside the tall wrought iron gates of the property.

It was, indeed, difficult to imagine this alternate world, so remote from Mumbai's mayhem, and yet in its neighbourhood. The air was crisp and sweet-smelling and when we inhaled we actually felt revived.

Eight years ago, Rakesh's family had no idea that their property would become a commercial enterprise. "Most residents from Mumbai are unaware of Vasai's inherent beauty," states Rakesh. We felt chastised for until then we had completely ignored this pristine side of Mumbai in the foolish belief that there was nothing beyond Lonavla, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar.

The Stuff of Life

Lemon grass tea and bhajjas are the season's flavours and we, their ardent patrons. Whilst the wind whooshed ever so gently outside, we reclined in the verandah quite happy with life and what was on our plates.

On 32 acres Rakesh's family had built a refuge amidst lush paddy fields and towering hills, namely Kaman Durga (Chinchoti falls), Tungar, Takmak, and Jivdani. All we did the rest of that day was mooch precious moments while slouching in the garden swing, keeping vigil for the sunset, getting drenched in the heavy perfume of jasmine, and, finally, under a brilliant low-slung full moon, stoking a bonfire.

Later, as we prepared to retire from the overdose of bounteous Mother Nature, we were yet again blessed with a sighting of a greyish white owl.

Next morning, we set forth to trek up to the summit of this particular hill, where Mumbai's avid star-gazers are known to congregate on full moon nights. Over slithery mud we scrambled, dawdled along impromptu streams, which take up residence during the monsoon, and watched gleefully as innumerable crabs fought hard to oppose the current.

The mildewed undergrowth under the open canopy is the greenest you'd ever get to see at this time of the year and our path was strewn with entangled light green vines. The way we saw it, nature was out there celebrating in her best finery.

It is absolutely vital to carry an insect repellant to guard against the relentless pursuit of forest mosquitoes here. Being a secondary forest though, we were spared leech bites. Our trek ended at Aamghol, our intention to see a monsoon waterfall fulfilled.

We splashed about in the pool, even as rainfall asserted itself for the first time that morning. If you wish, you can carry on ahead to the top, where a natural lake is a year-long feature of this hill. According to Rakeshl it takes a minimum of six hours to trek to and fro. On our way back it was a question of dodging the rain and the slush that dominated every spot of dry land.

Vasai's topography is as absorbing as its history, which began even before the Pandavas took their vanvas. Having been benevolently ruled by the Mauryans, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutyas, Yadavas, and Bahamanis, and not so benignly by the Portuguese and Marathas, who, desecrated the temples, forts and churches, Vasai has seen action up to the present day. As natural successors, the British stepped in and did what no other conqueror could do, they set up various institutions.

Apart from its historical significance Vasai is practically a new born baby as far as tourism goes. Its verdant hills have not yet been 'significantly' exploited for adventure tourism, a flaw that Rakesh has every intention of remedying, he prorposes to delineate a few acres for the same - rappling, rock climbing, etc...We promised we would be back for more.

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