Konkan Maharashtra:
Somewhere in February, we decided to call in a trip to Alibaug. I fell in love with the place almost instantaneusly. We stayed at a nearby beach called Nagaon.
The hospitality was overwhelming, people were friendly, food was mind blowing. And ofcourse the budget was low too :-).
Somewhere in February, we decided to call in a trip to Alibaug. I fell in love with the place almost instantaneusly. We stayed at a nearby beach called Nagaon.
The hospitality was overwhelming, people were friendly, food was mind blowing. And ofcourse the budget was low too :-).
I almost made up my mind that the next trip ought to be something as chintzy and random. And definitely, Konkan Maharashtra.
Sun-set at Ganapatipule
The plan:
After a few harrowing weekdays, the five of us - Me, Vipul, Naru, Phyco (Niranjan) and Ganesh decided to go somewhere during the Mar 13th-15th (2009) weekend. The plan was etched out for Tarkarli. Since the place being too far away from mainland Mumbai, and as few of us had problems mustering a leave, we decided to act a little less ambitious and go to Ganapatipule instead. Phyco backed out in the end but the 4 of us decided to go ahead with the trip anyway.
Getting there:
After researching on the mode of transport, we decided to rely on the cheapest and the most efficient of them all - Indian railways. The tickets (to and fro) journey were booked online (www.irctc.co.in), both for the CSTM MADGAON SUPER FAST (holiday special) dated 13th night (10.15 PM). The return tickets were booked for 15th night from Ratnagiri and luckily we got a reservation too (10.15 PM again, not Tatkal). The timings ensured that we spend very little of our precious weekend time in Mumbai :-).
We decided to leave office early on friday. After reaching VT, since there was ample time, we decided to head for Colaba. Hung out a little in Mondegars and then went ahead to hog on delicious Bade Miyahś chicken Bhuna and kebabs. The journey had started with a bang already ;-).
The train was on time, the journey was fun (more about the journey in, hopefully, the next post). We reached Ratnagiri at about 4 AM, enquired at the station tea vendor and got to know that the ST bus stop is about 8 kms away and that the first bus leaves for Ganapatipule from there by 5. ( Rickshaws charge about 400 bucks to G'pule but since reducing the cost was priority #1, we decided against it).
About 10 mins walk from the station is the mumbai-ratnagiri highway. A guy on the way told us that we can get 8 seater vehicles, trucks or buses that would drop us till the bus stand. The rickshaws charge about 80 Rs to the bus stand. But with about an hour to spend, we thought to head for the highway instead.
Got a sumo on the highway which charged Rs 10 per person and we were at the bus-stop in 15 mins. We could fetch a spanky ST bus which leaves Ratnagiri at 5.15 AM and charges Rs 35. Slept like a log on the way and reached Ganapatipule at about 6.30 AM.
After a few harrowing weekdays, the five of us - Me, Vipul, Naru, Phyco (Niranjan) and Ganesh decided to go somewhere during the Mar 13th-15th (2009) weekend. The plan was etched out for Tarkarli. Since the place being too far away from mainland Mumbai, and as few of us had problems mustering a leave, we decided to act a little less ambitious and go to Ganapatipule instead. Phyco backed out in the end but the 4 of us decided to go ahead with the trip anyway.
Getting there:
After researching on the mode of transport, we decided to rely on the cheapest and the most efficient of them all - Indian railways. The tickets (to and fro) journey were booked online (www.irctc.co.in), both for the CSTM MADGAON SUPER FAST (holiday special) dated 13th night (10.15 PM). The return tickets were booked for 15th night from Ratnagiri and luckily we got a reservation too (10.15 PM again, not Tatkal). The timings ensured that we spend very little of our precious weekend time in Mumbai :-).
We decided to leave office early on friday. After reaching VT, since there was ample time, we decided to head for Colaba. Hung out a little in Mondegars and then went ahead to hog on delicious Bade Miyahś chicken Bhuna and kebabs. The journey had started with a bang already ;-).
The train was on time, the journey was fun (more about the journey in, hopefully, the next post). We reached Ratnagiri at about 4 AM, enquired at the station tea vendor and got to know that the ST bus stop is about 8 kms away and that the first bus leaves for Ganapatipule from there by 5. ( Rickshaws charge about 400 bucks to G'pule but since reducing the cost was priority #1, we decided against it).
About 10 mins walk from the station is the mumbai-ratnagiri highway. A guy on the way told us that we can get 8 seater vehicles, trucks or buses that would drop us till the bus stand. The rickshaws charge about 80 Rs to the bus stand. But with about an hour to spend, we thought to head for the highway instead.
Got a sumo on the highway which charged Rs 10 per person and we were at the bus-stop in 15 mins. We could fetch a spanky ST bus which leaves Ratnagiri at 5.15 AM and charges Rs 35. Slept like a log on the way and reached Ganapatipule at about 6.30 AM.
ST from Ratnagiri
Stay:The first thing to do was to look for a place to dump our luggage. I had enquired about vacancy at the MTDC resort 2 days before leaving Mumbai and had got to know that the place was sold out. But I thought iĺl check again. MTDC resort is the best as their konkan cottages charge about 1200 Rs and is located straight at the beach. You can listen to the waves all the day. We were not fortunate enough though.
MTDC resort
With the breathtaking MTDC resort out of question, we decided to take the chintziest accomodation and spend most of our time lurking around the beach nistead. So we took the lane next to the MTDC and started walking straight for about 2 mins till we came accross a huge board announcing Kapil Lodge. The place was OK, clean, bed was too hard, amenities were zilch but was not as shady as I expected it to be. The cost was rockbottom too. For a triple bed room, the rent was 400 Rs a day - we knew it was a steal and decided not to think much and stay there anyway.
At the lodgeNow that we are here.
What next?
After freshening up, we decided to venture out. Had a brunch of sorts at a stack next to the Ganesh temple (dont remember the name). The place is at the end of the lane adjoining the temple gates. It served delicious Puri Bhaji, Puri Shrikhand, Misal Pav, Kokam juice and what not. We hogged everything like gluttons. The price was dirt cheap too.
The rest of the day was then spent lurking around in the beach. Neither of us were in a mood to drench ourselves in the salty water so we just lazed around, doing nothing.
We asked everyone about places serving sea food and everyone recommended SaiPrabha which is about 15 mins walk from MTDC. Though each one of us had our own views, I liked the food served there. And no matter what, I was in no mood to go back without feasting on Konkan fish curry! Hehe
The Ganesh Temple Woke up pretty late in the morning and checked out of the Kapeeĺ lodge at 10 AM. We decided to leave Ganapatipule and visit the nearby Jaigarh fort which was about 15 Kms from there. Our plan was to check out Marleshwar waterfalls as well -which was also highly recommended by everyone we asked. But we were misled by the rickshaw wallahs who asked us to go to take the Chapha-Khandala-Jaigad route.
It made sure that we take a convoluted 30 Kms journey instead. Got to Chapha by the ST bus (Rs 8) and then rickshaw from there (Rs 200). Got to know that JSW energies have a plant adjoining the fort. It was early afternoon by the time we got there. The view from the fort was majestic. With hardly a trace of any human being around, I got hold of Naru's slingshot and started targetting stray objects nearby. Hehe.
Target PracticeAfter watching the village from there, we felt jealous of 1the lucky villagers for having such a peaceful co-existence with the sea. Imagine having a beach at your backyard! The place was also aligned with palm groves and mango trees.
With Marleshwar out of the question, we decided to check out the village. It was a peaceful afternoon. We thought we walk all the way upto JSW port but decided against it. Got back to the bus stand after a walk of about 20 minutes. Also interacted with the kids and people on the way. It was about 3 by the time we were back to the bus-stop. We could fetch the 3 PM bus to Ratnagiri from there. The bus fare was about Rs 40.
With Marleshwar out of the question, we decided to check out the village. It was a peaceful afternoon. We thought we walk all the way upto JSW port but decided against it. Got back to the bus stand after a walk of about 20 minutes. Also interacted with the kids and people on the way. It was about 3 by the time we were back to the bus-stop. We could fetch the 3 PM bus to Ratnagiri from there. The bus fare was about Rs 40.
The village surrounding the Jaigad FortRatnagiri:
Getting back to Ratnagiri was like getting back to the concrete jungle. We were too early for our train. Had mediocre food at a stack next to the bus-stop. Checked with the stall owner who recommended to check out the Kohinoor point. Rickshaw fare to the point was about 50.
But this part of the journey was merely waste of time. Kohinoor resort owns a stetch of land atop the mountain surrounding the Bhatye beach and charges 50 Rs just to get in and watch the sun-set from there. We didnt think it was worth it so we walked back all the way to Bhatye beach. The sun-set there was extremely photogenic and gave Vipul and Ganesh the opporunity to click the best pictures of the trip. But do not expect to get into the water or have a dip or two. You might find the water is too murky for your liking.
We hung out there till late evening and after having our dinner, got back to the station and waited for the train back home. We were all dead tired by then. The train was surprisingly on time and we finally hurled ourselves into it, occupied the berths allotted to us and slept till Thane arrived.
Getting back to Ratnagiri was like getting back to the concrete jungle. We were too early for our train. Had mediocre food at a stack next to the bus-stop. Checked with the stall owner who recommended to check out the Kohinoor point. Rickshaw fare to the point was about 50.
But this part of the journey was merely waste of time. Kohinoor resort owns a stetch of land atop the mountain surrounding the Bhatye beach and charges 50 Rs just to get in and watch the sun-set from there. We didnt think it was worth it so we walked back all the way to Bhatye beach. The sun-set there was extremely photogenic and gave Vipul and Ganesh the opporunity to click the best pictures of the trip. But do not expect to get into the water or have a dip or two. You might find the water is too murky for your liking.
We hung out there till late evening and after having our dinner, got back to the station and waited for the train back home. We were all dead tired by then. The train was surprisingly on time and we finally hurled ourselves into it, occupied the berths allotted to us and slept till Thane arrived.
The three musketeers (L-R) Naru, Vipul, Gayness 
And then the sun sets at G'pule
It was a indeed nice way to spend the weekend. We got back with peace of mind and a steely resolve to go out and check Tarkarli-Malvan soon!
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