Konkan Sojourn: Pune – Mulshi – Tamhini (‘Waterfalls A-Plenty’ Route) – Murud – Harne – Anjarle (Beaches n Beacons)
The Mission
Transport two active kids and their two active grandparents (parents of a naughty kid - ME!) to the pristine beaches and back to Pune in three days.
The Route
The options were the following:
1. Pune-NH4-Wai-Mahabaleshwar-Poladpur-Bharne-Khed-Dapoli
This was the most exciting option kidwise. But more ghat-ridden than the others.
2. Pune-Bhor-Mahad–Latwan–Palgad-Dapoli
A close friend who frequently travels to Dapoli had advised the following route. I thanked him because I had earlier planned to go via the Tamhini ghat which he said was so bad that apart from breaking backs I would be subject to verbal beatings from elders and tots alike.
Detailed: Pune – Bangalore Highway - Kapurvol - Turn right just Kapurvol right after Ketkavle (Balaji) phata - Bhor - Varandha Ghat - Cross NH – 17 at "Hotel Sagar" just outside Mahad - Latwan - Palgad - take right to Dapoli.
3. Pune-Chandni Chowk-Pirangut-Paud-Mulshi Dam-Tamhini ghat-Vile-Chhatri Nizampur-Mangaon-Latwan-Palgad - then take right to Dapoli
This one was for the adventure lover in me. A near off-roading experience was guaranteed between Mulshi – Tamhini . There were endless waterfalls en-route; more than any of the other options.
The Twist
Aaikave jaanache karaave manache…. (Marathi saying – listen to the people but do what your mind tells you)
The adventure lover had smelt the right mix of uncertain roads, pouring weather, heavenly waterfalls and similar adjectives galore and thus turned my car at Chandani Chowk and proceeded via tamhini.
Thus after thanking my friend for his wise route advice I immediately proceeded to completely disregard the advice and finally chose option 3. That it was FINALLY chosen inspite of all the advice given by my well-meaning friend, made a certain twist in this tale possible. The curse was on us!
The Feasts
In the purview that Shravan month is behind us - Eat three things most important to us in Konkan – the first most important thing to eat was fish. The second and third things oddly are the same (fish). Also ensure vegetarian food for the grandparents.
So in light of the last point….
The Stay
Pritivardhan Mangal Karyalay, Dapoli – booked by my wife because it is owned by a Brahmin who servers pure vegetarian food devoid even of onion and garlic. If that sounds odd on a fishy trip - the food was amazing, by the way! And there were enough fish joints all around the place.
The Preparations
It was long overdue so the Octy got a fresh set of MICHELIN Primacy LC 195/65 R15 total cost Rs.23,500. Rs.5675/- per tyre from Lokmanya Auto Center The ghosts of tyre bursting accidents were thus put to rest. See
Sparky Dies a Brave Death.
The windshield was scratched in many places so got the glass buffed.
Got the disc brakes changed and got them drilled, slotted and grooved from Abhijit.Lonkar of the famed Tune Up Plus Baner garage.
Total cost of above was Rs.20,855/-.
The Tale
What can a travelogue be without a hair-raising tale? With the above preparations done, car loaded and with the sudden turn off Chandni Chowk skidding from Plan A to Plan B here are five excited souls getting fresh air, splashing water, the promise of beaches n the fishes in every heart, we set off….. but heart thumping things happened …. Stay TUNED!