Sometimes, the best adventures happen when you least plan them in detail — just a direction, a destination, and the open road ahead. Our recent weekend ride from Pune to Mumbai was one such memorable escape.
1st November
Me and @dpalash2205 decided to head to Mumbai for a Local Guides meetup, this time, on our bike! We started early around 6:30 AM, with the cool morning breeze adding freshness to our excitement. The route via Mumbai–Pune Expressway is always a delight. On our way, we passed through the famous hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala.
Our first planned halt was at Gangangiri Maharaj Ashram in Khopoli. Nestled along the riverside and surrounded by lush greenery, Gangangiri Maharaj Ashram is very peaceful and divine place to visit. It was a truly spiritual experience that refreshed our minds before we continued our journey.
We reached Thane by afternoon and grabbed a quick lunch before catching up with @ShubhamWaman He took us to Upvan Lake, where we witnessed the newly inaugurated Vitthal Murthy (statue) beautifully lit up in the evening. The entire area, including the streets around the lake, was glowing with decorations giving festive vibes all around.
A Divine Evening at Upvan lake in Thane
Later, we rode together to Dombivli to surprise @SayliWalve and her expression was priceless! We spent a wonderful evening chatting, laughing, and enjoying the delicious dinner Sayli hosted for us. With hearts full and tummies happy, ended our Day 1 on a perfect note.
Morning at Namo Central Park, Thane
The next morning, we woke up early and decided to explore Namo Central Park in Thane. The entry ticket was just ₹30, and the park turned out to be a hidden gem! It’s beautifully divided into four sections - a play area, sports area, theme garden, and lakeside zone.
Our favourite was the theme garden, showcasing Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and Mughal designs — each corner a visual treat. The highlight of the park was the X Bridge, a stunning architectural piece built over a serene lake. We wished we had more time to explore, but our meetup awaited!
Local Guides Meetup at CSMT hosted by @Shrut19 tai
From Thane, we rode straight to CSMT, reaching in about 40 minutes, thanks to the calm Sunday morning traffic. The meetup was held at a cozy fast-food joint named Swad, right in front of the CSMT station. It was drizzling lightly, the perfect Mumbai touch and we had hot vada pav with chai.
We enjoyed the warmth of the moment, sharing stories and laughter with fellow Mumbai Local Guides. Cameras clicked, introductions flowed, and bonds grew stronger.
By 1:30 PM, as the rain started to pour, we bid goodbye to everyone and began our return journey to Pune.
This short trip reminded us once again that journeys are not just about destinations, they are about the experiences you gather along the way. We reached Pune safely by evening, hearts full of memories and gratitude for yet another beautiful weekend adventure.
Tagging Mumbai Meetup local guides here
@Shrut19 @Sagarkanherkar @ShubhamWaman @SayliWalve @Praniketmore @abhishekpatk @MayuriKubal @Globe_trotter_Ish @NERKARAMIT @Rohan10 @karan_lalpotu @Harsha_rai @Shilshah @Pranavjl
Beautiful pictures and wonderful storytelling makes this a worthy read. So glad that you guys enjoyed the weekend in Mumbai. It was indeed amazing meeting you and the fun we had. Looking forward to many more trips together 
