There are two ways of reaching Matheran; driving up a narrow road of hair pin turns and then walking the rest of the way up or taking the toy train. You're risking your life either way.
A little over 2,200 meters above sea level, it was 'discovered' and began to be developed as a retreat to 'beat the summer heat' in the 1850's. There are no cars or motorized vehicles in Matheran, so everything must come up the mountain either by foot, horse, or pack animal.
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| Charlotte Lake, built in 1850, serves as the reservoir for the entire hill station. |
Our days were filled with 'adventure' activities and cultural visits for the kids, and lots and lots of hiking. There are many, many look out points with panoramic view of the Western Ghats.
It is, however, quite overrun with Reese monkeys who not only 'entertain' the tourists, but also harass them incessantly having learned we carry food and shiny objects. Our hotel even had a warning about them in the lobby. One teacher lost a box of lollipops, another had her cell phone taken up a tree. The hotel workers, however, were quite skillful with a slingshot and they all had one in their back pockets!
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| This guy woke me up one morning, shaking the sliding glass door on my balcony trying to break in! |
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| The locals took no notice to safety warnings and thought nothing of littering. |
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