Trekking In The Sayhadri Mountains, Maharashtra, India

When I lived in India my good friend Leonard decided to attend a wedding in Perth, Australia. Being from Scotland, it only made sense that he stopped by in Mumbai, took a train and visited an old friend. It was after all, entirely Leonards doing that I travel at all. But we'll get to that in it's own dedicated post in the future.

'Leonard and our guide Yatin observe the path ahead'

The Sayhadri Mountains are not very well known in the Western world and sit in the southern part of Maharashtra. There aren't any notable destinations in area and they are greatly shadowed by the Himalayas, nevertheless, they are pristine and we were in search of an abandoned temple.

I am new to this whole trekking business. So I wasn't pleased when Yatin (pictured above) pointed out some fresh Leopard scratches on a tree (See below). I had once travelled to a remote jungle in Malaysia to do a story on big cats. Whilst driving through a Palm Oil Plantation to the jungle my girlfriend at the time put me on a downer when she said 'Look, this lady has worked here for 30 years and even she hasn't seen any wild cats in the jungle, I just don't want you to get your hopes up'. We argued for about 2 minutes before a Leopard walked out in front of the car. Things happen I tell you, they bloody happen. Back to India...

Finally, after some sketchy climbs we came upon a plain and there bang in the middle the scattered ruins of the temple we'd set out to explore.

First destination was a cool dip in this ancient water bath underground, ice cold that was. "Yer poor wee willy, it'll fall aff" my Granny would say.

There is always a dog in India. I am happy to tell you that this one is loved and cared for, so not to worry.

I'm going to wrap up this post and prepare a part 2. I have some cool photographs I took in the evening and some interesting stories about the food our Sherpa cooked us and also a harrowing story of a remote cliff and suicide.

'Leonard writes a poem in our Sherpas home'

Until next time!

Best Wishes
Cotton!