Japalouppe Equestrian Centre - Kids Day Out - May 2023

Visit Japalouppe🐎🐴👪👀

Lets take the kids out for a day's picnic, but where? that was the question that I was trying to answer or you can find an answer to. So I started searching on the net a day long picnic which would be interesting and would be fun for the kids and dang Japalouppe Equestrian Center showed up on the search. So I called up the center and enquired about the petting farm.I called-up my sister and checked with her if she would be interested to join us and she was. Japalouppe is located on NH48, Near Somatne Toll Plaza, Talegaon Dabhade.

Japalouppe Logo

One can visit the site for further details on https://japalouppe.com/petting-farm/

They offer guided petting tour and within the entry fee a paid up but complimentary buffet lunch. You can also have further joy rides on horses at the end of your stipulated time and for that you have to pay extra. You can check the site for further info. 

Post the check-in process, we were given the necessary bands and post that there was a briefing as to how the tour would go for the stipulated time. First-up after the intro to the place there were Do's and Don't explained like not to poke and squeeze smaller size animals. Then each family were given the feed bucket. Its a combination of fresh green veggies and bread crumps which would be used to feed the various petting farm animals we meet and touch along the tour.

Feed Bucket

Family

Farm covered by tall trees

We met Radhika Srinivasan who is in charge of the Japalouppe Equestrian Centre as the lead who takes care of the petting and equestrian centre. She was out ex-school student. We chatted and she recalled some bits of it as we used to travel by the same school bus.

Post the introduction we were assigned in a group of 4 families a tour guide who would take us to the various enclosures of the animals.

The Quaky Ducks🦆🦆🦆

First-up were the quaky ducks and they were a hungry bunch. We had bread crumps in our feed bucket and the tour guide mentioned to us that we can feed the ducks the same.

The Tortoise🐢🐢🐢
It was now the time of petting and handling the soft shell Turtle. I asked my wife to feel and handle the turtle and it was a scene to see my wife handle the turtle.

The Four Pigs - Eenie Meenie Miney & Moe🐖🐖🐖🐷🐽

Next-up were the 4 pigs. They had a very catchy name Eeenie, Meenie Miney & Moe. Here we were to feed them the green leafy leaves that were in the feed bucket. Kid was very excited to see the pigs up close and also feed them.

The Guinea Pigs🐭🐭🐭

The cutest animals of the lot and one that can sit on your lap and enjoy the bits of carrots that you feed them. Here the tour guide gave us the instructions to take the Guinea pigs on the lap and feed them. They are territorial as well hence we were asked not to throw any food in a bunch of the Guinea Pigs.

The Horse🏇🐎🐴

After the Guinea Pig shed we were introduced the Horse, I cant recall the name but he was very playful and cheerful and happy to be touched and responded to the touch positively. He made every effort to reach out to the tasty carrots that were fed by the kids.

Baabaa & Baabra - The Black Sheep🐐🐐🐐

Like the song Baba Black sheep, there were actually goats and sheep which were the next ones. Though we may feel thats a simple goat, but we usually do not get to touch them, here the kids get the opportunity to touch and feed them and they respond to the kids better.

The Rabbit Barn🐰🐰🐇

Next up were the Rabbits and the Hares, here you could take them on the lap and feed them cabbage and carrots. They also the cutest animal of the barn.

The Birds 🦜🐦🐦

Up next were the birds, the small love birds, Emu, Cockatoos. Here there was nothing as such to feed from the bucket, but we were given some seeds to feed the birds. They would fly and come rest on your arm and eat the seeds.

and with this the animal petting farm tour ended. We then headed for the buffet snacks and the food was delicious. The main attraction of the Equestrian are the Horses and in the evening before the farm closes, the kids can ride on the horses. Its a 20 min ride and they wear the full gear for safety. We too wanted the kids to ride the horse. Paid extra INR 500 for the horse ride.

Which Horse Shall I ride

Eureka - I know the horse

With the end of the ride, it was end of another adventure for the kids. Japalouppe Equestrian Center lived up to its expectation and we enjoyed the day we spent there. You too can take your kids and family there and know more about horses in general. Until next time. See you and keep reading.

Kids First Trek with Parents - Tikona - A Trek to remember - March 2023

The unplanned plan🚦🚩⛽⛔

At the beginning of the 2023 year had decided to take leaves after the month of Feb 2023 as it was my kid's second birthday and we were expecting our extended family from Australia. I had for leave starting 6th March 2023 and was to return to office on 20th March. This was a odd month to take leaves but always tke leaves when you felt like informing the team early. On 10th March, a little late in the day at around 12pm, we decided to go visit one of the fort that were near by and decided to visit Tikona. We reached the base of Tikona at around 3.30pm and this being March, the day light was to end by 6.30pm. The climb to the top was not more than an hour. I had a 2 year old to carry to the top of the fort along with that help around my wife at critical climbing spots. We decided still to carry on with the original plan. We travelled via the Hadashi route as you can miss the toll and enjoy driving through some scenic landscapes till you reach Tikona.

Site of Tikona from the Base Village

Instructions and Important Number

Here we begin the climb

Pic of the family

Kid ready for the climb on his own

The Beginning of Climb🌄🌄🌄⛅⛅

We three were upbeat for the climb and wanted to reach the top early so as to enjoy the scenic views that would be presented from the top. Kid was very enthusiastic from the word climb. He wanted to explore and climb through on his own. He wanted to lead through the trck and I was keeping an eye on his fast climb.

Me and my wife had done the last trek to Raigad which was before the Covid-19 pandemic had hit us. It was in Jan 2020 when we had done our last trek and post that we had awaited the birth of our first child. It was a 3 year gap and it showed while climbing. We had to be cautious not to exhaust or over do the climbing activity. Sharing some pics of the track that leads to the top.

Within 20-30 minutes into our climb we had gained certain elevation and slowly but surely the scenic view had started to unfold themselves. This was the month of March and the dry season was to start, hence not much greenery around in the pics that I captured.

Ruins of the past

View of the surrounding mountain ranges

Taking a breather

My 2 year old had a lot in the tank and that was more so to do with the enthusiasm to climb. He wanted to do a lot of the activities on his own and wanted to explore the climb. Here is a video of him doing his bit for the climb.

Mom and kid taking a break together gave me the opportunity to click some pics that would become memories forever.

Indian Juggad for the bench

1st Defensive Gate at Tikona

A lot of restoration have been carried out on the fort by various Trekking Interest Groups who contribute time and money to restore the fort without the help of the government. The selfless act of such volunteers is seen on the fort and I bow down to their efforts to restore history and its glory.

Restored Entrance to the fort

Captured a small video at the entrance showcasing how it has been restored. My kid was excited and had so many questions about the fort and who all lived on the fort. I was trying to answer all his questions to the best of my history knowledge.

Lord Hanuman Temple Atop

At this point on the fort we were the only family atop the fort along with Monkeys. Couple of groups that were descending down, made us aware of the presence of monkeys and to keep any eatables we have with us locked and not loose as the monkeys would try to nick that from us.

Water Tank and a small temple atop

Limestone Mill - Used for fortifying the fort

As you go past the water tank, there is Lord Hanuman temple which one can visit as well as ancient reminiscence of a limestone mill. The limestone mill was used to create fine limestine powder which was used at the time to fortify the fort and the bricks that were laid then. As soon as you move ahead, you get to see the magnificent fortification wall of the core area of the fort. This is also known and the Balle Killa.

Fortified Walls to secure the Core Fort Atop

The Steep Stairs and small door opening

Mother and Kid start climbing

 

The stairs and steps are strategically kept of high elevation and the door small to exhaust the incoming threat as well as making it manageable to defend the fort.

Atop the Fort 💪👪👀💬🙏🎯🎢

We reached atop the fort in an hours time. There were some critical climb areas where I had to carry my kid as well as the back, so it was tiring and more draining. To our surprise there were couple of trek groups atop as well at the time and they enquired how old our kid was and were astonished that he was 2 years old and was climbing on this own. The groups appreciated his effort and presented him a pack of biscuits. May be that was his trophy for the effort he put in.

There is a Lord Shiva temple as well as some caves atop. Mostly probably must have been used by the people who stayed on the fort of that time.

We spend time roaming atop the fort and also was able to witness a helicopter fly by.

With this it was time for us to begin out descend the fort. We had brought some snacks with us which we had enjoying the view from the fort. You can see the Tung fort at a distance in the below video.

The descend was more thrilling than the climb. I had to carry the kid and wife had to manage her own. So I requested her to sit and descend the steps to avoid any dizzy feeling.

The End👀👪🐾📷📺⛺🚩

So it was a fruitful day to end and kid and wife liked the short and sweet trek to Tikona. Here in the video the kid expressing his views on his trek and how he intends to continue with age.

So we ended the day with the customary Vada Pav and Bhajji. It was a fulfilling day