Lonar crater, the world’s only hypervelocity natural impact crater in basaltic rock, is a place where history, geology, astronomy, ecology and mythology meet to give a unique experience. Far removed from the typical tourist circuits and itineraries, Lonar is at about 145 km from Aurangabad.

After a long day on the road, we check in to the MTDC resort, the only accommodation available in this sleepy village. A walk along the rim of the crater loads fresh air into our lungs and energises us. As we charter out next day’s plans, Anand Mishra drops in. He is not the kind of guide we often meet at the historical sites of our country.

Conversant in English, knowledgeable about his job, punctual, and eager to learn from whatever sources, Anand perhaps reflects the spirit of the much-talked about new, small-town India. On top of it, he has a fellowship from NASA. More than what you expect in a sleepy, dusty, village-town of Lonar in central Maharashtra!

Next day, he guides us into the crater, tells stories that are part history and part mythology with the same ease as he explains the science behind the crater, its coloured rocks, and the pH value of the lake water.

We get overawed by the facts about origin of the universe, trek down to the crater, listen to the stories around the many 12th century temples around the lake, watch and listen to sounds of hundreds of birds, and walk through the unique forest surrounding the lake.

Anand brings us back to the top and bids adieu.

We set out to take the 6-km walk along the rim of the crater. A villager grazing his cows wanted to show his hospitality to the tourists. He smiles and asks, “Who is the country?” We look at each other, thinking ‘who’s it?’, but a moment later realise that the villager wanted to know our country of origin. Seeing the capris, coolers, and backpacks, he mistakes us Indians for foreigners. Brown complexion must have taken as tan! Also, he didn’t expect Indians to walk the 6-km stretch under hot sun. We say, “Mumbai se he” and start laughing; he too laughs aloud to hide his embarrassment.

The long walk with enough breaks in between is thoroughly enjoyable. At the end of the day, when night falls, we lie on our backs and star gaze.

How does it feel to live on the edge?

Let’s ask this tree

Tree throws a question back at us
How does it feel when the soil
Is washed away from under your feet

We go red in the face with shame!

We love to travel and trek. We also love introducing our friends to its pleasures. So when we got a chance to take one-year-old Ahan to the exciting world of travel and trekking, it gave us immense satisfaction.

Ahan is the one-year-old baby of our friends. He spends most of his time within the concrete walls of his apartment. So he delights in any trip to the outer world, however short it may be. When our friends asked us to plan a weekend trip, their main intention was to give Ahan a good time with nature.

We chose Bordi, a 3-hour drive from Mumbai, bordering Gujarat. MTDC resort, the backyard of which leads to the beach, was a right choice. Ahan thoroughly enjoyed everything – from the garden swing to the beach sand and the undivided attention of 7 adults. But the icing on the cake was the visit to Asavla dam.

The vast expanse of water filled Ahan with rapture. A dip made him demand for more.

He refused to be picked up while walking back along the unpaved, rock-strewn path. Ahan, who at that time could barely walk on his own, was initiated into trekking.

Eight-year-old Appu, our nephew, too kicked off his trekking with us as he climbed the Kudajadri hills in Karnataka.

However tired we are, these hilarious spellings will never fail to make us break into laughter.

Hope to bring a smile on your face.