[kunalsb]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Great choice of destination kunalsb
I agree that the drive from Diveagar to Harihareshwar by the coast is amazing. After Diveagar, when one climbs and descends the first hill/ ghat, there is an amazingly serene beach.
Do you have the contact details of the homestay that you mentioned - Kunj Vihar. It would be great if you could share for our benefit (and theirs!)

1. The contact details are as follows:-
Mr Ninad+(91)-(2147)-225017
+(91)-9421966306
2. Address- Kunj Vihar,
Near Chaukalshi Mali Samaj Hall,
Diveagar
3. Check this link for photos-
KUNJ VIHAR, Diveagar Budget Hotel, Diveagar Hotel Booking Kunj Vihar

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

mdsaab, I am considering doing this trip with family later this year (tentative for September; depends on the monsoon really!). Do you want to make it a TBHP drive/ vacation?!

Would love too, please pencil me in for Sept, Though it's a long way away, i really do hope it materializes.

[siddheshb]

Planning to drive down to Diveagar, Harihareshwar, Shrivardhan this weekend - and your short and sweet travelogue really pumped me up Looking forward to an exciting drive - will definitely post updates.

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by siddheshb

Planning to drive down to Diveagar, Harihareshwar, Shrivardhan this weekend - and your short and sweet travelogue really pumped me up Looking forward to an exciting drive - will definitely post updates.

Here's my report on the road condition to Harihareshwar: link..
Not that it matters since you are driving an Endeavour but thought I'd give you a heads up.

[sonic_boom]

Guys I'm planning to take the trip too next weekend, but with a GPS. Can I rent one in Pune and is it really effective? I have used one abroad (Malaysia) where it worked like a charm. Not sure how things are at home though.

[siddheshb]

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

Guys I'm planning to take the trip too next weekend, but with a GPS. Can I rent one in Pune and is it really effective? I have used one abroad (Malaysia) where it worked like a charm. Not sure how things are at home though.

You can take my GPS unit - and yes, it's generally wonderful Except in a few remote areas where the roads might not be mapped - but then, unlike the US, all you need to do it is pull over, roll down the windows and ask!

PM me your number, let's meet up and you can take my Map My India unit.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Would love too, please pencil me in for Sept, Though it's a long way away, i really do hope it materializes.

So, its almost September @mdsaab. Do you still agree with our pencils?!

Originally Posted by siddheshb

PM me your number, let's meet up and you can take my Map My India unit.

Gee, thats generous
I know I speak out of turn, but this place amazes me. the people even more so!
Does someone have a baby car seat (0-3 months)? I should try my luck

[siddheshb]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Does someone have a baby car seat (0-3 months)? I should try my luck

I do, but it comes with the baby.. lol... still interested?

[ironshark]

Have been a regular to Diveagar for the past 4 years. It is a perfect weekend getaway and the villagers have done a fabulous job in not letting the beach go totally commercialised. They have managed to maintain the serenity of the village perfectly.

For accomodation and food, the best place is "Ambiance Cottages" owned and managed by Mr. Patwardhan. Lovely,clean cottages, excellent food and professional service at extremely affordable rates.

Contact number - +91 - 02147 - 224091.

Some tips:

1) Nowadays, Diveagar is a hot weekend destination. Hence, kindly confirm your bookings a minimum 2 weeks in advance, else almost all the places are sold out.

2) Non - veg guys, if you want to have some specific delicacy (like crab of any specific fish) and you plan to stay at Ambiance Cottages, kindly call them in advance such that they can make stuff available for you (this is generally applicable for most of the eateries in Dive Agar).

3) If you have not driven in Tamhini Ghat before, avoid driving post sunset as the ghat is tricky and takes 2-3 trips to get used to.

4) Keep the fuel tank adequately filled as there is no fuel station till Mangaon after you leave Chandni Chowk (for about 100 kms).

PM me if anyone needs any other details.


Following is a pic of Ambiance cottages to give a better idea.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

When we went to Diveagar in Jan 2010, the locals had put up barricades to prevent 4 wheelers from entering the beach area. We also witnessed an argument between them and a 2 wheeler owner who wanted to get onto the beach. Apparently they were sick and tired of people who got stuck in the sand. Their point was that the tide moves in quick and can pose a huge risk.

I myself had experienced this, although not at Dive Agar, but at Akshi beach near Alibaug. I would highly recommend against taking 4 wheelers on beach.

Just to explain my mistake, I had take my M800 onto beach. Seeing water, I felt I should take the car near the waves and wash it (it was quite dirty). Didn't realize that the tide was rising. Took the car near waterline and started washing. After few minutes, decided to start the car and head back. The wheels were just spinning in the sand but car was not moving at all. The more I pressed the accelerator, the more the wheels went in the sand. By now the water was touching the underbody of my car. I was damn scared. I had just my wife and mother with me who were at some distance. Did not know what to do?

The speed with which water was rising was really making me worried. By now, even my mom and wife realized what is happening so the also came near they car but could not offer any help. Just then couple of locals happened to pass by. First they said why the hell did you bring the car here? We pleaded for help. One of them said he'd help but would need money. He was asking for 1,000. We somehow managed to reduce it to 500. Immediately one of them ran to village, got 4/5 men together and they came back with big rocks. They put them behind the front wheels, asked me to reverse the car and once out, take it back all the way to road. Couple of them lifted the front of M800 and put it on the rocks. This gave traction to the wheels and I could take my car out of water. By this time the water had actually risen above the lower line of the front doors.

Quite a scary experience hence would advise everyone against risking their cars.

[vivekiny2k]

you were planning to wash your car with sea water?

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

you were planning to wash your car with sea water?

Well, not like I had bucket and brush etc. to do it but just that the sides were too dirty so just thought I might clean it with splashing the water with hand on the sides and clean them. So stupid of me .

[kalpeshc]

I think what vivekiny2k meant is - seawater is an open invitation for rust !

[ketantendulkar]

We had gone this weekend to Konkan and the car got extremely dirty with lot of mud-splashes. But it rains so heavily in Konkan some nights (it did, each of those nights we were there) that each morning we would have a fresh sparkling car waiting for us. Rain X technology!

[siddheshb]

A friend of mine who went there last month shared this pic... oh man, this is freakingly beautiful. Just cant wait to get there tomorrow!