Expressway Scenery

Travelling on the expressway is still quite a pleasant experience especially on days when there is less traffic. The scenery is a sight for sore eyes.

A farmer tending to his field in rural Maharashtra

A farmer tending to his fields amongst the sugarcane fields with his goats for company.

Scenic Beauty around Akluj

The countryside around the Fratelli winery at Akluj is beautiful and stark. The clear air, the blue skies and the vast vineyards spread across the sprawling land are a sight to see.

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To watch the sunset from a place called the Machan (belonging to the Fratelli winery) gives a breathtaking view of the surroundings.

Fratelli Vineyards

Fratelli Vineyards, a 3- hour drive from Pune have acres and acres of vineyards. Visiting during the harvest season means that you see vines laden with grapes. 

The accommodation is clean and spacious though not 5-star. 

Besides the normal wine tasting, you can wander around the beautiful vineyards, walk or bike and experience lovely sunset. Food served is simple but tasty. Very affordable at 6500/- for a day/night with all 3 meals included.

For more photos you can check here.

Akluj Fort

Akluj Fort is just over a hundred km from Solapur in Maharashtra. This fort is several hundred years old but has been well restored which is not that common in India. Another name of the fort is Shivshrushti, a new name. Several important historical figures have lived at this fort and prisoners too.  

The main gate has been re-built, thus created during the renovation project.

Inside the fort:-

The lawns are well maintained.

There is also a museum which has models of different forts of India as well as frescoes depicting scenes from the period.

If you are in the vicinity, this is worth a visit. You can improve on your historical knowledge and at Rs 20/- a ticket it's almost free.

Shaniwar Wada Inside and Out

The Shaniwar Wada, the bastion of the Peshwas, was burnt down from the inside in 1828. The fire burnt down this magnificent seven-storey wada to cinders. The fire burnt for a week and left nothing in its wake. A garden has been built where the fort once stood and it is now a tourist site.

This is the view from the front balcony facing the outside.

The main gate, called the Dilli Gate. The spikes are at the height of an elephant so that if the enemy tried to break the door using elephants, it would be very difficult.

This is what it looks like from the front.

Flowering Adenium

Adenium obesum is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to the Sahel regions, south of the Sahara and tropical and subtropical eastern and southern Africa and Arabia. Common names include Sabi star, kudu, mock azalea, impala lily and desert rose.

Deep pink in colour, these flowers have five petals, creating a vignette.