[rudrah]

A long weekend was about to come and heard the next long weekend would be in August. So started a hunt for short distance trip. Options narrowed down to Alibaug and Diveagar.

Divegar was 4hrs+ drive while Alibaug was around 2hrs and plus it had some places to see also hence gave a shot to Alibaug. Booked a bungalow of 4 bedroom as we were 14 and 1/2(my 1 year daughter)

3 cars were present including mine.

• Palio Stile 1.6 Sports
• Palio 1.2 Sports
• Maruti Wagon R

Route was very beautiful with good roads. Not much of potholes and bumps. Route was from Vashi -> Panvel -> Pen -> Alibaug.

Had to stop in between for exact directions to the bungalow we booked. Bungalow was pretty nice place and 2 mins near Kihim beach. However the Kihim beach is very dirty and lot of garbages around. No point visiting this beach. Oil spills and plastics floating!

The bungalow place is surrounded by Mango trees with usual Dogs, cows and hens around. Typical village atmosphere. Food was decent. For veggie people, usual ghaas poos...for non veggies, yummy fish fries like Surmai, Prawns and Pomfret, chicken curry and all malvani style!

Day 2 visited the Alibaug beach. There is a fort 2 kms from the sea shore. The Kulaba fort was Shivaji’s last construction and was completed almost on the eve of his death in April, 1680. It attained importance under the Kanoji Angre and was the main base of the Maratha navy. Kanoji Angre was the naval chief of the Shivaji’s kingdom and he developed Alibag city in the 17th century.

At low tides, one can walk to reach the fort orelse take the Tanga (horse) service!

It was low tide and hence we walked down to the fort. On high tides, you need to take help of boats.

Ofcourse the only remains were the walls of the fort and a temple inside with nice sculptures.
Tickets to enter the fort for Indians - 5Rs whereas for Foreigners - 100Rs! Proud to be Indian hahahaa

The Fort had palaces for the members of the Angre family, houses for their officers and storing arrangements for grain and other necessities. None of the buildings have survived. The rule of the Angres, who were also known as Kulabkar, came to an end in 1840 AD.

Next visit was at Karmarkar Shipalaya - Museum Alibaug. Art lover or not this place is a must visit. Mr. Vinayak. P. Karmarkar was among the most renowned sculptures of all times. Topper of J. J. School of arts, winner of Lord Meyo Medal and also alumni of Royal Academy; Karmarkar’s sculptures are a pleasure to see.

Places visited:

• Kihim beach
• Renowned Sculpturer Mr. Karmarkar's place and his creative statues (must see)
• Alibaug beach
• Kulaba Fort
• Nagaon Beach - very clean beach

Initially had decided for Fri and Sat but after visiting Nagaon beach, we came back around 5pm and totally tired. So decided to extend 1 night more.

Pictures taken are attached below:

Road to Alibaug


Sky view


Vinayak. P. Karmarkar's Sculptures ->

Mr. Vinayak Karmarkar's Dog




I'm amazed by the expression seen in this pic


A farmer's wife carrying her child


Doesn't he looks real?


This is Suman - Mr. Vinayak. Karmarkar's daughter. She looks so naughty!


Suman - grown up! So beautiful


One of his daughter


Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj


Close up view


Jamshedji Tata




Award winning statue


This was made while Gandhi was reading a book and he was too busy to give a pose and suggested Shri Karmarkar to make it as it is.


The lady is the daughter-in-law of Mr. Vinayak. P. Karmarkar!


Mr. Vinayak. P. Karmarkar with his sculpture of his Secretary and his dog


The man himself - Mr. Vinayak. P. Karmarkar


A Dead Jelly Fish washed onto the shore


Sunset at Kihim Beach


More to follow...

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Hey Rudrah,
I had not visited Alibaug yet but your travelogue made my mind.
I am going to visit this place on 2nd July.
Waiting for more.

[zuludancing]

Next time plan to drive to Chaul. Its a Dutt Guru Temple situated at a small hillock. View of adjoining creek and vikram ispat jetty are awesome from there. Dont forget to have the sugarcane juice bfor the hillock begins.

[prince_pervez]

Alibaug! Is it still dirty or authorities have taken steps to keep it clean? It was horrible when I last visited it. Didn't even bother to go there again. The sunset pic is a nice one.

[rudrah]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

Hey Rudrah,
I had not visited Alibaug yet but your travelogue made my mind.
I am going to visit this place on 2nd July.
Waiting for more.

Hi Ashish, the place as is just 165kms from Vashi itself so pretty near by and various options for beaches to visit. That is why its called as Goa of Maharashtra

Originally Posted by zuludancing

Next time plan to drive to Chaul. Its a Dutt Guru Temple situated at a small hillock. View of adjoining creek and vikram ispat jetty are awesome from there. Dont forget to have the sugarcane juice bfor the hillock begins.

Sure, thanks for the info buddy. I'll check that out next time i visit this place!

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Alibaug! Is it still dirty or authorities have taken steps to keep it clean? It was horrible when I last visited it. Didn't even bother to go there again. The sunset pic is a nice one.

Pervez, the only place i found dirty was Kihim. I would not recommend anyone to visit this beach. Very dirty and all dirt from sea comes to this beach. Also lots of garbages lying in the sea shores as well as in waters.

We had no option so had to book a place at Kihim.

Nagaon and Akshi are the cleanest beaches there. Must visit.

Final Set of Pictures...

Road to Hell - remembered the song by Chris Rhea


Parked at Alibaug beach


Thats Kulaba fort view from the Alibaug beach


Tanga service to reach the fort - Hey thats not me ok!


You can see two English canons on the parapet facing the open sea


Ganesh idol welcoming at the Entrance


I guess Goddess Maa Bhavani


Fresh Water Pond in the Fort which is within the Sea!! Believe it or Not!



Inside the Ganesh Temple in the Fort


Beautiful art


Another beautiful art on the temples dome






View from inside the fort towards sea


A lone ship in the midst of the Sea


A Goddess Statue carved within a cave like wall


FireBird taking a break


Side Profile


Rear Profile


FIAT Alloys


My Beast just kissed the Quadraplet 5s


Lastly the 2 generation Palios standing tall



Camera Source: Panasonic Lumix TZ11

Cheers~

[prince_pervez]

The side profile pic is beautiful. The 2 generation palio pic is priceless. Enjoy the ride man.

[prateekm]

Apologies for straying a bit away from the topic - can anyone recommend a good seafood restaurant in Alibaug apart from Sanman and Kokum & Spice in Radisson? 15-20 km radius would also do.

[khoj]

There are the "fish thali" joints on Kashid beach. However that's 35 kms from Alibaug.

Originally Posted by prateekm

Apologies for straying a bit away from the topic - can anyone recommend a good seafood restaurant in Alibaug apart from Sanman and Kokum & Spice in Radisson? 15-20 km radius would also do.

[Rosso Corsa]

Originally Posted by prateekm

Apologies for straying a bit away from the topic - can anyone recommend a good seafood restaurant in Alibaug apart from Sanman and Kokum & Spice in Radisson? 15-20 km radius would also do.

There are countless seafood restaurants along the Konkan coast. If you want an authentic seafood experience without burning a hole in your wallet, look out for the smaller, family run restaurants. Ambience won't be great, but the food will definitely be delicious!