Monday, December 21, 2009

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 18th 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.


4 comments:

  1. Nice!!

    So what next? Hampi? Coorg? :) ... Let's plan something for Jan and complete the hat-trick! :)

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