Goan Road Safari

Travel Date:17th - 20th Dec, 2009
No of travelers: 4
Type of Trip: Leisure
Mode of Transport: Car
Approx Expense: 8000/- for 2
Best suitable for: Friends

Day 1: Drive to Goa: Pune - Satara - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Khanapur - Londha - Anmod Ghat - Mollem - Collem (450km)

Even though we decided to start very early in the morn….we actually left from Baner, Pune at 5.30 am. With full excitement we planned to go non stop till kolhapur…where we were gonna have the famous Phadtare Misal for breakfast. This place is a small food joint, which starts at 9, and we were lucky enough to be in their first batch. It’s a little off from the highway…but the missal they offered was really worth it.

Landmarks for Phadtare Misal: Near Parvati Talkies, Udyam Nagar.

Make sure you eat there….its awesome. And then you have this “Tea Tapari” which is exactly outside this Misal place, which serves amazing hot ginger tea. Here are some pictures so that you wont take time to locate the place.

It was almost 10 am when we left from Kolhapur. We entered Belgaum around 11.15…but it almost took us 1 hr to make way through the busy city and reach Khanapur. Form here the beautiful NH 4a led us to Londha…where we had to take a right turn for Panaji. Londha has a small market place…right at the Chowk. Up the hill is a decent road…which allows you to speed up till 60-80kmph. On the way, if you are lucky enough you wnt have to wait for the 2 railway crossings. But from here onwards…you need a skilled driver who should fight against a patch of just 5 km, which is full of mud, dust, and potholes. Down the hill is the magnificent Anamod ghat…which starts revealing the beauty of Goa. The green valleys of Goa make you stop numerous times to enjoy the scenic beauty. We had entered goa from the east…which has 2 famous places Bondla & Mollem.

Places to Visit: Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park

Dudhsagar Waterfalls: Around 2.30 we reached a small typical village of goa – Collem. With a quick lunch at a friends place…we rushed for the wolrd famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls, since the last batch that they take is at 4. After a bumpy roller coaster ride of 30 min in the Mollem National Park, through rocks and water, we saw a glimpse of the huge waterfall. Walking for about 15 min…got us really close to the place. Even in this season…it had enough water to look beautiful. The main attraction of this waterfall is the railway bridge that goes through the fall. Don’t miss the train that passes the bridge at 5pm with waterfall behind it. It’s a worthwhile view.

Tamdisurla Temple: An ancient stone temple with river flowing on side and greenery all over, is a must visit. It’s an old Mahadeva temple.

Day 2: Collem – Tamdisurla – Ponda – Panji – Margoa – Canacona – Agonda (150km)

After Tamdisurla..our target in life was to eat seafood in Panji. On 18^th June Road, Ritz Classic is the place, which offers seafood delicacies. ‘Chanak, Surmai (King Fish), Chicken Cafreal’ are the must haves at Ritz. Shopping in Panji followed a delicious meal. Aparant, a government owned handicraft shop in Panji has a wide variety of handmade stuff at dirt-cheap rates. Right from jute bags, jute rags, stone ornaments to ceramic gift articles…everything was at a reasonable price.

Till the time we left Panji…it was almost 3pm. After a 2 hrs drive on NH 17 and leaving behind Margoa, we had to take a right turn for Agonda. 15 min from the main road, one cannot imagine to have a beautiful, serene beach…which by real means is isolated. We located our ’Chattai Beach Resorts’ almost at the other end of the beach.

It was 5 in the evening…we were completely exhausted with the whole day drive…but the view of the beach from the restaurant…the cool evening sea winds left us awestruck. There were 8 beach huts made up of Chattai…which were well equipped with all basic amenities. The restaurant was sea facing with huge sitting…almost to lie down. They offered yummiest Tandoors, Typical Goan specialities and variety of seafood delicacies.

Day 3: Agonda – Palolem – Agonda (20km)
Agonda – Cola – Cabo de rama – Cola – Agonda (40km)

Places to visit: Palolem Beach, Cabo de rama Fort, Cola Beach. All these places are in and around 10 km from Agonda. It’s preferred that you hire a bike in Agonda and go around these places.

There is a nice food joint in Palolem..where we had gone for lunch on the 3rd day. ‘Sabina’ a small place…but very good food. Not very expensive…1 fried fish, 1 fish curry and rice in just 90 rs..was really worth it.

Day 4: Agonda - Fatarpe - Balli – Quepem – Savordem – Collem (100km)
Collem – Mollem – Anmod – Londha – Khanapur – Belgaum – Kolhapur – Satara – Pune (450km)

We started for our way back to Pune around 3.30 from Collem. With a small halt at Belgaum for snacks and tea, we reached Kolhapur around 8. Dinner at Kolhapur was our aim, since we wanted to have Mutton Bhakri and Tambda-Pandhara Rassa at Hotel Parakh…which is on the outskirts of Kolhapur. They serve an unlimited Thali for Rs. 100/- each. Do take a break at this place…whenever on NH4. Our journey came to an end at 1.30 am when we reached our home.

MURUD DAPOLI – OUR COASTAL FOOD SAFARI

Travel Date: 7th & 8th July, 2009

No of travelers: 4
Type of Trip: Leisure
Mode of Transport: Car
Approx Expense: 8000/- for 4
Best suitable for: Friends, Family

Drive to Dapoli: Pune - Bhor - Varandha - Mahad - Latvan - Dapoli - Murud (200 km)

Decided to take a different route this time…which was a little pain…since sheep and goats gave a good company all the way till Varandha.


Roads from Bhor till the ghat were not really good, but the ghat for a change was a pleasant drive. Down the hill we reached Mahad and started looking for directions, which would take us to Dapoli. We had 2 options…one from Mandangad and the other from latvan. Unfortunately we took the Latvan route…which had barely any road to drive. It was almost like one bullock cart ride of 30 kms. Finally we reached dapoli around 1 after 6 hours drive.

Something interesting struck our eyes as soon as we entered Dapoli..Coco fresh vehicles, a government-initiated activity which serves, cool coconut water..the most refreshing thing one can have.


STAY: http://www.swapnadeepbeachresort.com/index.htm
Staying at Swapnadeep beach resort in Murud was a good choice. Beautiful place with those typical Konkani wadis..coconut and cashew tress all around…and there you see the beach..just 500 m from where u r standing. The rooms were decent and clean. The restaurant served amazing fish varieties…which made our konkan trip worthwhile.

ACTIVITIES
Parasailing: One of our main attractions to be at murud was this. We all wanted to fly high in the sky along the beachside. And no doubts…it was an amazing experience. This should not cost you anything more than 300rs per person even in the peak season.

Dolphin Ride: I never thought you could see dolphins from so close, but people who took the ride before us, did see hundreds of dolphins in and out for around 15 mins. Their faces showed that they had thoroughly enjoyed their ride. We got into the boat, with all possible things like binocs, cameras, caps, jackets, longing to see the most social mammals. When we had just started locating the dolphins through binocs, our driver realized that our boat couldn’t go any further, closer to the dolphins since there was some problem in the engine. Still hoping that he would repair it and take us further turned out to be disappointing when none of them could start the boat. Almost after half an hour of sun bath, lots of phone calls from the middle of the sea, we were brought to the shore with the help of another boat which pulled us by a rope. After such an adventurous ride, we had lost all excitement of going back with another boat. We had better things to do ahead.

Harne Fish Shopping: It was another exciting thing that had taken us till Murud. Fish auction takes place twice in a day at Harne Port.. 10 in the morn and 4 in the evening. Ideally one should go for the evening auction but since we had to travel back…we decided to go the morning one. You get fresh fish like prawns, Surmai, Pomfret at dirt cheap rates. If you not carrying an icebox…you get them at the port for just 50rs. So for any reason do not cancel this activity if you are fish lovers.

PLACES TO VISIT
Harne Port : Other than fish shopping, harne port has a beautiful light house. You can climb up till the light house and get an amazing view of the sea fort Suvarnadurga. You can visit the fort by small boats that take you from Harne port and drop you back there in an hour’s time.

Anjarle Ganesh Temple: Road from Harne to Anjarle starts with an ocean drive and takes you up a hill. Earlier going to the temple was a fun filled boat ride. The bridge connecting karde to Anjarle is newly constructed. Anjarle temple is on the edge of the mountain so it is also called “ Kadyavarcha Ganapati”. One gets an astounding view of the blue seas from the top.

Dr Koparkar’s Nursery: After a 20 min small lane drive, we reached the most awaited destination. The moment you enter the place, you know that you will end up buying plants over there. They take you for a walk in the nursery explaining about each and every plant that you come across. A must visit place which wont take more than an hour of yours.

Drive back to Pune : Dapoli – Khed Poladpur – Ambenali Ghat- Mahabaleshwar – Pasarni – Wai – Pune (250km)

Around 5 we started our journey back for pune…the target was to be in mahabaleshwar by 8 for having corn sandwiches near Venna lake and have the most delicious, strawberry with fresh cream at Bagicha. But we did take our tea beak in poladpur ghat which was very refreshing with cool climate at the top of the ghat. Finally our food safari had come to an end at around 11 when we reached pune.

WET WET WILDERNEST!!!

Travel Date: 11th & 12th July, 2009

No of travelers: 5

Type of Trip: Wildlife

Mode of Transport: Car

Approx Expense: 20000/- for 5

Best suitable for: Friends

Route for Day 1: Pune - Satara - Kolhapur – Amboli – Sawantwadi – Chorla Ghat (460km)

We took our favorite NH4 till Kolhapur. There were waterfalls to give us company all along the amboli ghat till Sawantwadi. We were acquainted with the road till here, but needed directions further. After getting suggestions from locals to go in all directions we took the Panjim road and then turned left after 12 km for Dodamarg. Though the road from here was single lane, there was hardly any traffic and we could maintain a good speed. We crossed Dodamarg, Aai, Parye and Keri. Both Parye & Keri are in Goa – beautiful, small typical Goan villages. Soon after passing Keri, we realized that we have started uphill the Chorla ghat. The ghat is a suberb tar road and has thick forest on both the side. The Chorla valley is the catchment area of Anjunem Dam. After driving for about 30 mins, suddenly came the board – Wildernest Resort. All the way we were looking for some cottages or structures to identify the place, but it’s truly hidden. We parked our car in the parking and the resort Sumo took us into the jungle.

Finally At the Resort: This was the reception area of the resort...which gave us hint of how beautiful it would get further....thick forest on one side and deep green valley on the other....welcoming us were the waterfalls streaming down from anywhere and everywhere :)

Further they escorted us to our forest view rooms...which I dont have words to describe...but u can view the pictures and decide yourself.

Huge Glass windows on 3 sides of the room…gave us an amazing view of the forest. Although the rooms were very wet all the time due to extreme humidity…it was an different experience altogether. Utana and Shikakai powder in copper bowls, copper buckets for bathing were add ons.

As it was already 2.00pm by the time we reached…we rushed to the restaurant…which offered different delicacies like goan fish curries…maharashtrain thechas…south Indian neer dosas…and many more. Amazing cuisine…must say! By this time we all were dead tired…so the lunch was followed by small nap..

One of the main attractions of this place was the Infinity pool that they have on the mountain cliff. Drizzles in the pool with Chilled beer in hand…could there be any better combination than this?

Wilderness at Wildernest: Sleep away to glory if you reach there during the monsoons...the best wildlife sighting you will have will be in your dreams. On a more serious note, keep a track of the weather guys. If you are into herpetology (reptiles etc), choose the monsoons, you will see an abundance of the slithery slimy creatures. With ever green forest surrounding the resort, winters would be ideal for some beautiful avian species from the western ghats.