Pune, worth a visit?

digger · Nov 12th, 2004, 14:59

I'm heading over to Mumbai in a couple of weeks and have some family history in Pune and would really like to take a look at Pune. My family used to own a shop on East Street and I really like to take a look. Couple of questions that I hope someone can help with.

1. How long is it by train from Bombay?
2. Is it worth spending a night in Pune? if so where best for accomodation.
3. Does anyone know of East street?

Thanks

SHIMLA · Nov 12th, 2004, 17:06

1. Pune is a little over three hours from Mumbai, by the fastest train. However, after the construction of the expressway between the cities, its faster by road - under three hours.

2. As you are planning to visit for nostalgic reasons, do stay a night there. There are plenty of good hotels to suit all budgets in Pune. The more expensive ones are around the Deccan Gymkhana Area and the Camp area.

3. I think East street is in the Camp area, which is one of the few good localities in an otherwise congested, polluted, overcrowded and chaotic city.

To answer your title question, its an emphatic NO ! (Nostalgic visits excluded, of course !!)

digger · Nov 12th, 2004, 17:14

Cheers Shimla,

I'm thinking the day trip option is a winner. May get the train there and a taxi back.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Indiafan · Nov 12th, 2004, 17:38

I have been couple of times in Pune and totally agree with Shimla. On the way from Mumbai there is a nice place to visit Lonavala. There are interesting gaves just outside it. Indian girls say that Pune is excellent for shopping.

bongdongs · Nov 12th, 2004, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger

1. How long is it by train from Bombay?
2. Is it worth spending a night in Pune? if so where best for accomodation.
3. Does anyone know of East street?
Thanks

East street parallels "main street" in the "Camp" area. Its a 10 min auto-ride from the main train station.

If in the area dont miss my favourite book store "Manney's" at the corner of Main street and Moledina road.

Right behind Manney's eat at "The Place", for excellent sizzlers and Parsi-style food at lunch.

As you can guess, I am a Pune-kar (OK ex-Pune-kar now), and whats with all the Pune bashing here? Of course its worth spending more than a night in Pune.

Some advantages for Pune:

- Pune is clean (relatively), liberal, cosmopolitan, safe. Good shopping, restaurants, pubs etc. Till the mid 90's, before Bangalore moved into a higher gear they were regarded as similar cities.
- Its not a very large city, still easy to get around.
- Lots of good 1-2 day trips around the city. Visit Sinhagad fort, Lonavala, Mulsi dam, matheran, mahabaleshwar.

cyberhippie · Nov 12th, 2004, 18:42

Bong dongs
Mahabaleshwar looks stunning as does Matheran which woul be the Quieter alternative, I'll be in the area in January. Which would you choose or would you take the time to do both I was thinking 4-5 days at one or the other.

bongdongs · Nov 12th, 2004, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Bong dongs
Mahabaleshwar looks stunning as does Matheran which woul be the Quieter alternative, I'll be in the area in January. Which would you choose or would you take the time to do both I was thinking 4-5 days at one or the other.

Mahabaleshwar has better "points" (cliff edges to watch the mountains from), more places to visit (honey farms, strawberry farms) and good walks. But is also very crowded in "season" with all those "damm-Mumbai-wallas" :-). Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani nearby were a favourite of the old Bombay elite (Parsi's, brits etc) hence old "bungalows" with names like "Ivanhoe" or "Surrey Trails". If you manage to rent one of these places out of the main town it will be totally awesome (and relaxing) vacation.

Matheran is smaller, (Atleast used to be) quieter (they did not allow any automobiles into town). With clear and dark skies good for amatuer skywatchers.

cyberhippie · Nov 12th, 2004, 19:45

Thanks I think I'll find the time to do both!!

edwardseco · Nov 13th, 2004, 22:56

Pune is now much more crowded than the sleepy college town it used to be. Still, there are good areas to hang out and have a good meal. I like the Deccan Gymkhana area. The camp side is also interesting (Easy Street). There are interesting temples outside of Pune but that takes independent transportation. There is one underground near the Deccan that I liked. By all means see the Kelkar museum. This puts the lie to the belief that Indians can't come up with a world class museum. I was so impressed with him and his accomplishments. He had clearly talent beyond any goverment museum babu. I don't know how much of his "personal" collection is allowed to be shown. That was fabulous but even the public aspect was amazing. He started me on my modest collection. I liked the emphasis on things devoted to daily life..

Nov 12th, 2004, 14:59	#1
digger Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London Posts: 10	Pune, worth a visit? I'm heading over to Mumbai in a couple of weeks and have some family history in Pune and would really like to take a look at Pune. My family used to own a shop on East Street and I really like to take a look. Couple of questions that I hope someone can help with. 1. How long is it by train from Bombay? 2. Is it worth spending a night in Pune? if so where best for accomodation. 3. Does anyone know of East street? Thanks

Nov 12th, 2004, 17:06	#2
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,129	1. Pune is a little over three hours from Mumbai, by the fastest train. However, after the construction of the expressway between the cities, its faster by road - under three hours. 2. As you are planning to visit for nostalgic reasons, do stay a night there. There are plenty of good hotels to suit all budgets in Pune. The more expensive ones are around the Deccan Gymkhana Area and the Camp area. 3. I think East street is in the Camp area, which is one of the few good localities in an otherwise congested, polluted, overcrowded and chaotic city. To answer your title question, its an emphatic NO ! (Nostalgic visits excluded, of course !!) __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Nov 12th, 2004, 17:38	#4
Indiafan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 225	Pune I have been couple of times in Pune and totally agree with Shimla. On the way from Mumbai there is a nice place to visit Lonavala. There are interesting gaves just outside it. Indian girls say that Pune is excellent for shopping.

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Nov 12th, 2004, 17:14	#3
digger Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London Posts: 10	Cheers Shimla, I'm thinking the day trip option is a winner. May get the train there and a taxi back. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Nov 12th, 2004, 18:42	#6
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Bong dongs Mahabaleshwar looks stunning as does Matheran which woul be the Quieter alternative, I'll be in the area in January. Which would you choose or would you take the time to do both I was thinking 4-5 days at one or the other.

Nov 12th, 2004, 19:45	#8
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Thanks I think I'll find the time to do both!!

Nov 13th, 2004, 22:56	#9
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,705	Pune is now much more crowded than the sleepy college town it used to be. Still, there are good areas to hang out and have a good meal. I like the Deccan Gymkhana area. The camp side is also interesting (Easy Street). There are interesting temples outside of Pune but that takes independent transportation. There is one underground near the Deccan that I liked. By all means see the Kelkar museum. This puts the lie to the belief that Indians can't come up with a world class museum. I was so impressed with him and his accomplishments. He had clearly talent beyond any goverment museum babu. I don't know how much of his "personal" collection is allowed to be shown. That was fabulous but even the public aspect was amazing. He started me on my modest collection. I liked the emphasis on things devoted to daily life..

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