Diwali by the Sea

This Diwali 2007 we decided to do something different we ( Anand & I) decided to go to Murud-Janjira 180 kms from Mumbai on our Splendor & Activa respectively.

Route : Mira Road - via Ghodbunder- turn left at the end of Ghodbunder Rd before Flyover - Continue on Thane Bhiwandi Bypass and turn right at Toll plaza for Mumbra bypass- Mumbra - Panvel - turn right at the end of Panvel for NH17 (Mumbai- Goa highway) - Continue upto Vadhkal Naka (25kms) - Go straight from here towards Alibag - Take left just before entering Alibag towards Murud - Continue straight & you will reach Murud.

We set out on Saturday at 4.30am from Mira Road drove through the above route and it was awesome and arrived at 10.30am in Murud. We were put up at Hotel Seaface which faces the beach. The room cost us Rs 700. value for money . Mr. Imran the propreitor can be contacted on Mob:9423377120/ (02144) 274786 .

Checked in and jumped into the sea, swam till 12.30 and then has some awesome fish & beer costs being economical.

Had a great rest till 3.30 & then rode till Rajapur village (2kms). Got into a sailboat; ticket Rs 20 per head & another Rs 20 for a guide for the awesome Janjira fort.
The experience was breathtaking !!!

We strolled on the beach after dinner. What was ridiculous was some mumbaites bursting crackers on the clean beach!!! I can't understand why people want to dirty places!

We left the next day at 10 via the same route and arrived by 4.30 in Mira Road.... A great trip !!!

Winter by the Sea

Destination - Harnai(Harne) in Ratnagiri district.

Distance - Andheri to Harnai

Duration - 2nd Jan to 4th Jan

Departure - 2nd Jan 5pm Andheri.

Stop over Arrival - Nagothane 9:30pm 80 kms from Mumbai.

Stop over Departure - 6 am from Nagothane

Arrival Harnai - 12:30pm ;280 kms via Goregaon Phata,Mandangad, Kelshi, Anjarle 280 Kms.

As the chill began to descend on Maharashtra in the New Year; We (Anand,Salil & myself) decided to usher it in a different way!..... We undertook our 1st night drive to Harnai in Ratnagiri district 300 kms from Mumbai.

Anand & myself met up at the signal at Vile Parle at 5.15pm on the 3rd of Jan and set out towards Sion Rly stn to pik up Salil. V reached around 5.45 picked up Salil & stopped at deonar for a Tea break...

We began on our Hero Honda Passion ( Anand & Salil) & Activa ( I) at 6.30pm and drove towards Mumbai - Goa highway (NH17) . We needed to take a left before the old Mumbai - Pune Highway starts.

The ride smooth; however we had to be extra cautious while negotiation turns & overtaking by other vehicles.

After a bout ofnon-stop riding we arrived at Wadhkal Naka at 8:15 am around 60 kms from Chembur. Took a sip of water & began towards Nagothane (23kms) .

One needs to b careful of this stretch as its narrower but smooth without any hassles. At around 9.15pm we arrived at Nagothane and put up at Anand Lodge near the ST stand for the night. The room cost us around 400, we found a bar & restaurant to have our meal.

Our day began at 4.30 am ...but alas the Passion had a problem with its spark plug, by the time it was it was 6!

So on we went towards Mangaon in freezing winter. Just before Mangaon ST stand we refulled at the HP petrol pump cause its good & sells proper fuel(unadulterated). 10 kms later we took a left on the NH17 known as at Goregaon Phata and got the issue sorted with the mechanic pew!

After which we continued towards Mandangad which is around 40kms. The curvy ghats require slow driving. we finally arrived at 9am .... Stopped & had a hearty breakfast and begun our journey via Kelshi - Anjarle to Harnai around 40 kms. There is an alternate route via Dapoli as well. Its is better than the one we took.

The road was smooth but the road from Kelshi a good 20 kms is bad upto Anjarle. The left front guard of the Acvtiva came off had to then tie it with a rope.

Anjarle is quiet town with a great beach & the journey to Harnai is breath- taking but food & drink are hard to come by in Anjarle so we decide to put up at Harnai.

We arrived at 12:30 pm in Harnai and put up at Bhavani Residency - Mr. Ashok Amburle is a great hotelier who took care of all our needs. The room cost us just 700.

we freshend up & the went to Mr. Patil's house for lunch..here its the homes that provide food...gharguti food as its called...delicious fish thali (friedfish,prawns,fishcurry & rice) 3 people & the bill only 375 with 3 pieces of Surmai fishes extra.

We carried our beers as the house allows you to partake of the meal & the beer.

We then hit the Knapsack...and after an hour frolicked in the sea!

The journey & destination our fantastic recommend to vsit this palce.

There are ST bus services to the place from mumbai (Borivali, Mumbai Central, Thane etc..)

U can reach me for any info on myron_anthony@rediffmail.com