October 4, 2025 – October 6, 2025
We set off from Mumbai at the not so early hours of 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Frenetic messages flooded the WhatsApp group the previous night with excitement and anxiety about time, things to carry and the usual weekend getaway conversations.
Four cars loaded with heavy duffels and suitcases carrying swimwear, shorts and flip flops, excited humans and salty and sweet treats made their way around the surprisingly empty roads out of the city.
Arriving at our home for the weekend, we were greeted by lush green hills in the background, coconut palms, the ripples of a still lake, and blue skies framing the backdrop for the weekend. Benches fanned the eating area with a breakaway area framing a swimming pool below overlooking the vistas of the lake in the distance. Tents were laid up in a line like cars waiting for a race with a surprisingly decent bed and mattresses and the sun high up in the sky threatened to suffocate you if you stayed in. Hoping for the rain Gods to be kind, we, ambling along, picked out our respective homes and stationed our belongings in.
Homes chosen, some of us leisurely ambled around the property, some of us playing a game of catch and infamous brain games. Famished from our travels, the buffet spread laid out, we ate and drank with abandon, and stomachs filled retreated to our homes for some shut eye or rest to the comfort of our trusted shelters.
The more adventurous and not so sleepy ones ventured out for a kayak ride on the most gorgeous expanse of water, the hills in the distance, the green foliage ensconcing the lake waters, with the sun casting patterns on the blue waters. The rest of us made our way to the pool hesitatingly dipping our toes in the ice cold water before succumbing to a full body dip. Sitting in the middle of the kayak in the pin drop silence with the occasional cries of a bird in the distance, the thick forest on all 3 sides, the lone house in the distance becoming us with the blue skies and the gentle sound of the oars in the water was blissful and felt like I was transported to my own heaven.
Ravenous after swimming and kayaking, we indulged in hot pakoras, banana wafers and steaming cups of chai and coffee. Fuelled up, we divided into 4 teams of 5 each some of us less willingly and with protestations, and scrambled through a treasure hunt on the property. Clues hidden in various obscure locations (some of them on even on commode seats or on the back of a kayak washed out in the lake) saw contending teams run like headless chicken seemingly as if competing for a million dollar prize. Loud shouts, screams, heads bent over small chits of paper, deep water swimming, Olympic running, and upending objects like Hyrox participants were the highlight of the evening with the winning team being required to swallow copious amounts of vile liquids as the last leg in the “amazing treasure hunt” (of course done with much fervour).
The evening ended with a soulful troubadour belting out old Hindi favourites which the crowd loved (albeit the speakers which were grating on the ears).
The early risers were up the next day enthused and fitted out for the promised trek to a waterfall led by “Off the Grids” own Rani. Rani, clad in her sari and chappals led a motley crew of around 8 of us across winding empty village roads, past cows on their morning ablutions and through slippery rocks upto a blazing cold waterfall. Sometimes clambering on all fours, the moss having made the stones a veritable slide, we trudged upwards past narrow gargling streams whilst nimble footed Rani moseyed along as if walking in a park. Manoeuvring through the rocks at the base of the waterfall were a feat onto itself, our city feet not accustomed to gripping and feeling nature. The pressured spirals of water naturally massaged our tired aching shoulders crunched over laptops and the ice cold water nudged us to life. As the cold water fell on my back and I bobbed in the stream a short while ahead, with like minded souls discussing nature, it felt soothing, calming and grounding and I longed to do this every day.
Making our way back to Off the Grid, Khopoli, we breakfasted on hearty eggs and poha, as everyone retreated off to do things they liked. Good ol’ sing songs (of course – we are a choir), dancing, random wanderings, swimming and kayaking filled the morning until lunch each one settling into their own rhythms. Chinese food with my spice quotient having reached its maximum tingled my spice buds for lunch. Lazy afternoon followed, with the infamous “Mafia”, with Rani joining some of us, whilst debating who was the “mafia” and leading to loud protests and friendly arguments; and single direction pointing with “who is in the room” and restful naps by some of the group, were the highlights of the afternoon.
The rain drenched soil wreaked havoc with our attempt to play throwball. A childhood game of “lock and key” in full swing was abruptly halted because of an injury. Rains having played spoilsport after a hearty meal of chai and bhajiyas, we attempted to clear the seating area to play another childhood game “crocodile crocodile”. The “rotating crocodiles” having caught everyone, a new vote in favour of hopscotch was made which saw all of us like one legged birds attempting to find the perfect stone slab that would land squarely in the correct square and balance on one limb. One legged creatures hopped their way to success to the tune of “do re mi” sending peals of laughter and fun through the onlookers.
The day’s activities over and the spoilsport rain having subsided, it was time for swimming in the pool as darkness set. Lights turned on casting pools of light on the rows of tents, the full moon highlighting those in the pool, peals of laughter and delight echoing around the quiet campsite.
Showered and fresh, we gathered around for drinks and camaraderie. 90s music saw some of us fully enthused and moving uninhibited to the foot tapping beats of the music; unfortunately then cut short on account of a funeral in the village. Campsite conversations after dinner, and interesting revelations at “Never have I ever” continued bringing a sense of contentment, camaraderie and fun to the merry bunch of revellers.
Hoping to wake up for an early morning walk; the mist, the steady drop off the rain on the roof and the comfortable duvet had me encased firmly to my bed in the early morning. I had to settle for no walk, only kayaking – I took my last kayak adventure before we left. It had rained the previous night and the water levels were higher. Sitting in the middle of the lake as the sun broke through the clouds, catching the surface of the water as it hit it, the slow gentle rhythm of the kayak, the sounds of oars splashing the water, the birds in the distance, the thick forest around and the sounds of the village slowly getting ready for the morning, I felt so present and grounded and that could be doing this for the rest of my life.
This getaway was a wonderful mix of camaraderie, fun, community, vibrancy all within nature at a slow pace. What I also loved was the ability for me to be able to step away from being a social butterfly if it all got too much. Truly grateful for being able to ground and get back to nature.
Note: This trip was a choir retreat of Rising Voices to Off the Grid, Khopoli
Chronicles of an overthinker 