[Guderian]

Hi,
On an impulse we (self & wifey) decided a quick trip to Goa by road to visit a good friend who had come down there from Kuwait, where he works.
And so on a pleasant March morning we set off and frankly I was full of trepidation as some five years ago when I had scampered off to Goa the journey was quite painful and the roads terrible ! However this time around it was a rather idyllic run and the scenery was delightful. Here are some statistics -

12 March 08:
Departure from Thane - 5.25 am.
Arrival in Panaji, Goa - 4.09 pm.
Distance covered - 590 KMs.

Drive around in Goa - abt 100 KMs.

15 March 08 :
Departure from Goa - 5.50 am.
Arrival - Mumbai (Vashi Toll Naka) -4.21 pm.
Thane - 5.15 pm.

Total distance covered - Abt 1200 KMs.

The drive as mentioned before was extremely good and the roads were very, very good compared to the earlier days. I was quite pleasantly surprised.
And of course the time spent in Goa was heavenly !
Sharing a few snaps of the journey -

1 & 2 - Pit stop at Mahad - about 200 KMs from Mumbai.


3. Departing souls.

4. And late arrivals.

5. Early lunch break at Chiplun - and a view of R Vashsishta.

6 & 7.Another pit stop at the hamlet of Talere - about 475 KMs from Mumbai. Cool fresh air !

8.Lovely,lonely stretches of road !

9 -16. And finally the gem - Goa...aaahhh ! Some random shots here !!!


17 & 17 A. The streets beckon...


I'm returning !!!

18.On the way back - pit stop at a Chiplun resort ! Did we have to get back ?

[shatrughna]

Nice pics. It was a working day on 12 March and no wonder you found lovely and lonely roads and very good time you chose to start your journey.

On Friday nights and Saturday, while goint to Goa - I dont think roads will be so lonely. There are , if I remember correctly , a lot of stretches which are very narrow till e.g. after Pen Nagothane, then after sindhudurg. I have not travelled that side last three years. Are there any improvement in the roads.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by shatrughna

Nice pics. It was a working day on 12 March and no wonder you found lovely and lonely roads and very good time you chose to start your journey.

On Friday nights and Saturday, while goint to Goa - I dont think roads will be so lonely. There are , if I remember correctly , a lot of stretches which are very narrow till e.g. after Pen Nagothane, then after sindhudurg. I have not travelled that side last three years. Are there any improvement in the roads.

Hi S,
Thanks
Actually the NH 17 is quite clear even on the weekends during the days. I returned on a Saturday and found it sparsely populated by traffic. The traffic piles up every night.
The NH17 has considerably improved over the last 5 years.
One area where I found the road very narrow was in the Sawantwadi area possibly because the road meanders through the town.

[SirAlec]

Nice images. somebody left a helmet on the cannon.

Roads are pretty good. road is inclined.??

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Nice images. somebody left a helmet on the cannon.

Roads are pretty good. road is inclined.??

Siralec,
Yes,the helmet on the short cannon,that's what made me stop and shoot the scene,and if you see its the Goa Police HQ - guess they needed more security ! Housed in a great heritage building.
And yes there are quite a few minor ghats on the way so lot of inclines and great views.

[mayurpalav]

Very Nice Pictures, Goa is not a place it's a state of Mind.

[spadival]

Nice pics.. Also, You did pretty good time on the NH17 - which is still my favourite highway inspite of all the GQ routes I have done.

[Guderian]

Thanks Mayur and Spadival.
Mayur - you bet Goa is a state of mind - Urrack, siesta and susegaad...what more do you want ? Each time I land up in Goa I am rather reluctant to return...
Spadival - Nice Baleno you have there !

[kARTIK IYER]

Good Pics ,

Nice to see the scorp in few pictures . I tto own a scorp and just click it more than the family photos sometimes .

Thanks for sharing ..

Regards.. kat

[mayurpalav]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Mayur - you bet Goa is a state of mind - Urrack, siesta and susegaad...what more do you want ? Each time I land up in Goa I am rather reluctant to return...

Share your sentiment my friend.