3rd June 2010, 11:03
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| A wonderful Journey-Mumbai to Dapoli/Murud and Karde The long hours at the office and the daily mundane life was taking a toll on us. Inspite of deciding to unwind, things were just not falling in place and then, one day, we decided that this is it. We needed a break. And it was needed urgently. We sat on the net and surfed through places that we could visit nearby. Dapoli, Murud/Karde somehow struck a chord. The sun kissed silver sand beached appealed to us and we started on the 265 kms long journey. 29th May--- The office is a half day today and had planned that I will start early. This somehow got delayed by about an hour and my wifey dear was frantic. We started for the destination at about 230 pm from Goregaon. Decided to take the known route- NH 17 via Lonere Phata(Near Mahad). The journey encountered some traffic near the Panvel Kalamboli area but was more or less event free. However, during the Mahad crossing, it was pretty dark. The road leading to Dapoli was through the Ghats and certainly gave the creeps. The road was extremely well laid out with radium lit sign boards suggesting the turns every where. Our first major stop would be at Dapoli. On enquiring, we were suggested the Sayali Restarurant. The Prawns Konkani curry tasted yummy. Luckily, we had booked our room at Bhavani Residency at HArnai, some 15 Kms from Dapoli. Good for us, as it was pretty dark and searching for a hotel in a God Forsaken area with no mobile network would have been a difficult thing. The room was decent, though not outstanding. But at a modest Rs. 600/- per night, over looking the Harnai sea, was not such a bad deal. 30th May---- The main day for touring. The first place to visit was the Harnai Lighthouse. Placed at a Hillock, it gives a panoramic view of the harbour below:  The Beautiful Harnai Harbour as seen from the Lighthouse.  My racing Stead....  The Arabian Sea in all its Glory  Mackerel kept for drying on the sea side. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This was followed up with a trip to Murud(Not to be confused with Murud Janzira which is over 100 kms away). Murud is located a mere 5 kms from Harnai and boasts of some of the best beached in the Konkan belt. We happened to stop for lunch at Silver Sands Beach resort. All credit would go to my wife here for unearthing such a beautiful spot. We eventually decided to stay on. We booked a beautiful cottage here. The rates here were Rs. 1200/- for Non AC and Rs. 1700/- for the AC cottage. we decided to go for the Non AC cottage. Two reasons for the decision: 1) The area is prone to load shedding and the AC will not work on the generator 2) The weather is so good that the AC is not really required. Much better to savour the fresh air that is so solely missed in Mumbai.  The Silver Sands Beach Resort at Murud  Cottages at the Resort   The beach view from the place is wonderful. Infact, Silver Sands Beach resort is located on the Murud Beach. The view from the hotel is fantabulous!!!  The beautiful scene of the sun set from the resort  The beach and the setting sun.  One of the most memorable scenes during this journey. Evening time-30th May The stay at Silver Sands was an impulsive one. Our luggage was still at the Bhavani Residency. we drove back to Harnai, collected the luggage and paid Rs.400/- for occupying the room for half a day. Then, headed straight to the Machi Bazar on the Harnai beach. The fisherman auction the catch in the market. It is a sight to remember.Loads and loads of prawns, king fist(surmai), pomphret and Mackerel find their way here. The Surmai and the pomphret were missing though as the catch was limited to the nearby sea areas only due to rough weather in the mid seas.  Mackerel Galore. The fish is also sun dried to take them through the lean monsoon time.  Fishermen at the Market. The catch is what will be auctioned.  At the Harnai Fishermen Market(Machi Market) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the market, we decided to return to the Silver Sands Beach resort and take the time out in the laps of mother nature. On the way, clicked a few pics of the beautiful road that goes around the sea.  My First and Second Love. The most important things in my life!!! 31st May--- We were to start today. We thought otherwise. Extended the stay by a day and were very happy to do so. We went to Karde in the morning. The road was very bad and the car handled really well. Our lunch was at the Whispering Palms Hotel at Karde. The freshly made Bhakris and the Solkadhi stood out. We ordered for some Deshi Konkani Chicken Curry with rice and Bhakris. The view from the Hotel restaurant was astounding.  View from the Restaurant. After returning to the Hotel, spent a good deal of time on the hammock. The sea bath was wonderful. Both for the body and the soul. Even though, Karde is famous for Dolphin Watching, we did not venture out as about a week back, a boat had over turned in mid sea and killed 5. Some more wonderful memories photographically!!!  Me and my beloved!!! At the Resort Parking  The beautiful Konkan Roads. Reminds me that I am in some place else.  The Harnai Fort situated just besides the Koli Village.  The Harnai Fort. In decaying state!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- After two wonderful days and 2.5 dozen fresh and sweet Alphonso mangoes later, it was complete NIRVANA!!! The heart and soul is completely rejuvenated and we are raring to go for another 45 days before we hit off again!!! But as of now, this has been a wonderful and peaceful trip............... |
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3rd June 2010, 11:12
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3rd June 2010, 11:16
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| BHPian  Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne
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3rd June 2010, 11:22
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| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MH-04
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| Hi The place is some 265 Kms from Mumbai and takes about 5.5 to 6 hrs drive. But try to drive in the day as night driving can get tricky at times. It is a great place to be in!! Quote:
All pics taken from my Sony Digi cam 7.2 MP. Last edited by F50 : 4th June 2010 at 05:37. | |
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3rd June 2010, 11:42
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| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad
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3rd June 2010, 11:51
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| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MH-04
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3rd June 2010, 13:04
| #7 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: City of seven islands.
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| Your ikon has an uncanny resemblance to mine  Ikon rocks! |
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3rd June 2010, 14:35
| #8 | |
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MH-04
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| Quote:
Ikon is a great car!! Takes me places  | |
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3rd June 2010, 14:50
| #9 | |
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad
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| Quote:
But yes you guys got the same bumpers(same color, same design!!), apart from having a same color car offcourse!! hehe. Any more similarities MX6? @Arnab, good trip you had,wish you loads of fun for all the future trips. | |
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3rd June 2010, 15:34
| #10 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mumbai
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 Did you decide on the order? Or you fear it would be a deathknell if you do admit it.  . No offense meant (Tongue in cheek). | |
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3rd June 2010, 17:06
| #11 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Thane
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| IKON always a fun to drive Hi Arnab, This is a trip that we as a group do very often and was very happy to see another Ikon owner doing the same. Great photos. I did this trip in the first week of April this year. Traveled to Dapoli, Murud, Harnai, Guhagar & Dhabol. BTW the fish being dried is ribbon fish. If you want to buy fish go to Dhabol Bunder in the evening fresher and cheaper fish compared to Harnai fish market. Tourists have spoilt the fishermen and the prices are nearly same compared to mumbai.keep driving.  Regards RoS |
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4th June 2010, 09:56
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| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MH-04
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I guess death knell in just round the corner if I dare think of the order otherwise!!! | |
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4th June 2010, 09:58
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| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MH-04
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4th June 2010, 10:41
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4th June 2010, 11:04
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