Panshet - A Weekend Retreat

The half-yearly workload was taking its toll!!! December was a month of toiling for all the Heating Engineering Department...OC's to finish, Inventory Reduction, Getting the OTP optimum, Product development...and other things to add to these...The heat was ON in the cold December.
The new year thus started off with lots of load to pull!!
But all that starts has to end...December was through and so was most of the workload!!! People needed a break...and "SO BE IT!!" was the answer!!
Engineering had a weekend blast at "Lake Weekend Resort - Panshet" on the 8th and 9th of Jan 2010.
The morning of the 8th of Jan was full of activity...Everyone was already in the mood to relax...But there was work to finish before the good times. People were busy finishing of their tasks so that no minute was wasted in the evening!! Post lunch everyone was already enjoying the resort in the minds. A fleet of cars and bikes left from Thermax factory in the evening of the 8th Jan. The first stop was at Khadakwasla to have the enchanting view of the setting sun. The golden sky and its reflection on the waters was a sight to see!! All the camera's were ready and clicking!!
From there onwards the twisting road led us to Panshet. With so many cars and bikes it was but obvious that a few would stray off the path. The organisers had managed this well...every car and bike had been provided with a small map and the location of the Resort. Inspite of the care taken a few bikers did miss the road... but later on they got back to the track. Small things like this add to the fun and adventure always!
Finally the destination was reached!! There was a warm welcome for all by the manager of the resort, and of course the hot cup of tea and Misal which was served for the evening snacks!! All feasted on the snacks..
The resort had many facilities for recreation like carrom, table-tennis, a good music system and mic's, just in case anyone wants to try a hand at singing or whatever!! This was a different kind of party, surely!
The view from the resort was awesome. The sprawling backwaters of Varasgaon dam with a backdrop of the Sahyadri hills.
After a good snack, the participants started trying their luck at the carrom tables and ping-pong. Competition was getting tougher.. With four players playing around the carrom table a dozen were cheering and more were waiting for their chance to play the games. Others were enjoying the beauty of nature...the calm night with cool breeze..
Along with the games the Resort manager, who was also playing the part of a compere for the whole programme, was entertaining the crowd with a battery of Sher-o0 Shayari, and jokes.
The night went by and the party got better by the hour.
There was a continuous flow of music in the air!! And this was making people swing and dance. People were rocking to the tunes of a variety of songs. Few of the participants performed dances, solo enactments and mimicry. It was fun to watch these shows. The mimicry was hilarious! The audience was rolling laughing on the floor seeing the enactment.
After so much fun, games and dance, everyone needed a good dinner.
Post dinner the participants calmed down and a few went off to watch their dreams. Others sat and chit chatted, while others played cards etc..
A small trek was organised by the resort early the next morning. Everyone geared up much before the sun rose. Though everyone was very eager to see the sunrise and click good snaps...there was a bit disappointment due to a thick cloud cover. But when the sun rose, He showed his radiance and brilliance even through the cloud cover. I am sure everyone must have later thanked the clouds which made the sunrise more beautiful, I did!
The Sun rose and lighted up the view in front of us. The waters in the dam were sparkling in the sunrays. A light fog covered the ground as if a blanket. the whole scene was coloured silver. There was a huge range of Sahyadri's in front of us...At the very back, the three mighty forts of Sinhagad, Torna and Rajgad were visible. everyone was spellbound at this sight. To add up to the beauty, a pleasant breeze was constantly running. The fresh air was a treat to the lungs...pure and clean.
On the way, during the trek, there was a lot to observe, wild flowers, ant hills, a few birds.
After an hour or 2 everyone returned to the resort. Though most of the participants hadn't have had enough sleep, no one drowsed. Everyone was refreshed by the trek.
The whole morning was spent playing cricket and volleyball, all this without a trace of fatigue!
All the sweat and dust from the sports needed a good cooling.. And there was rain dance to serve the purpose! Along with rain dance there were even waterslides so that all can enjoy the variety.
The active mode came to a halt with the announcement of lunch being served. After the lunch people did have small naps.
Time had come now to pack up things and get back to the hustle-bustle of the city. Wearily everyone packed up their bags and started off the journey back home.
Surprise!!!!
The cars halted at the Varasgaon boat club, and everyone cheered up again!!
There were a few people paddling their boats in the dam, a few speeding up in speed boats, and a few adventurous guys getting up on the banana boat. Everyone was enjoying to the hilt.
Now, the day was called off with a warm cup off tea.

Everyone returned to Home Sweet Home!!
This was a very different outing than most of the others, filled with activities all could enjoy fully. Very relaxing.
Hope to have more such events in the future!