An impromptu monsoon getaway

A Sunday in the month of September. A friend had invited to their home for their daughter's function. While we were there, our elder daughter expressed her wish to go for a long drive or an outing. We were all dressed up in traditional attire. We decided to reach home, figure out where we could take the kids & change accordingly. We started exploring options on our way back already. We had our direction figured out. We changed our clothes, packed another set and started towards Kundamala waterfalls.
 It was a 40-min drive on the old Mumbai Pune Highway. The weather was good and on the highway we were met with a very heavy down pour. We got a parking spot right near the waterfall. Owing to the bridge collapse over Indrayni River last year, tourists are restricted in the area over the weekends. There was almost no rush. The water was very clear. We had a good time enjoying ourselves in the water.
The views around were beautiful with white clouds, greenery all around, a colorful temple building and a remainder of the bridge that collapsed last year. From there, we planned to go towards Durga Tekdi. It was a 30-min drive. Durga Tekdi is right next to Appu Ghar. They both share their parking space. They charged ₹50 for 4-wheeler. We bought entry tickets to the garden. The garden was very neatly maintained. There were big shady trees all around which were also partially saving us from the intermittent rainfall. It has a nice trail within the nature which is almost flat with occasional accents and descents. 
We spent around an hour exploring Durga Tekdi and visiting the mata ka mandir. It was near time for the garden to close for the day. We exited the garden to start towards home. It was already 6:20pm. We checked with the kids and drove towards Dilli swad in Nigdi. This outlet has been serving good North Indian items for almost 2 decades to us and probably more. There's a common parking area available which usually doesn't disappoint. We parked our car and walked towards Dilli swad. Ordered our favorites chhole bhature and aloo tikki dahi and relished it to the core. While walking back towards the car park, there was a tea stall by the name of "festival chai" right beside the parking area. 
He was making fresh tea right when we reached there. We checked if we could get sugar free tea and luckily he agreed. He took his time to create his masterpiece while we waited patiently. The tea was really good. We then went to the car park and started towards home. On the way we stopped to buy ice cream. Luckily I saw my bachpan ka pyaar there. Something I just love. Came back happy and joyous after an impromptu weekend outing.

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