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Sun and surf – just a few hours away

Bored of Gorai, Juhu, Alibaug or other beaches in and around Mumbai? There’s a perfect weekend getaway waiting for you.
by Deepa Mistry | @MissTipsytoes on Twitter

It’s Friday and I’m ready with my backpack for the weekend I’ve been eagerly waiting after the hectic week.  A weekend is all about spending some peaceful time, either at home with your family or with friends. The best way to rejuvenate your mind and body would be by heading to the peaceful beaches around Alibaug.

kashid banana boat rideHave you checked out Kashid?

Kashid is a lesser known town which is now turning into a popular tourist location. It is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, at the North Konkan region of Maharashtra. An offbeat destination once upon a time, it has gained popularity among tourists because it is one of the safest beaches in India. The 3 km long beach combines all the elements of nature in their truest forms, making it a perfect beach holiday spot. The white sand, lush green mountains and valleys, the blue sea… everything here makes one feel like one’s in heaven. Another plus point is its soothing weather due to the presence of casuarina groves all around the sea shore.

Best time to visit

Kashid is a paradise for surfers, although it is not recommended in the months of June to September as the waves are dangerously high and can prove fatal. The best time to visit is during summer, and the temperatures range from 28 to 30 Degrees Celsius – not very hot and not very cold. A span of not more than 2 to 3 days is more than enough for a holiday at Kashid – any longer and you might be bored; this place doesn’t offer much to do. During the holiday period, the town boasts of many people, so it is always advisable to book a place to stay in advance.

A good time to visit is any time during the year, between November and April. The monsoon season can also be a good time to visit, but depending on the rains, a rainy weekend could keep you locked inside your room with nothing to do. Winters can be extremely comforting, but the nights get very cold.

Things to do

Kashid offers many beach activities for water sports, like banana boat rides, jet boats, bumper rides, parasailing, horse cart rides, rides on the ATV, and a lot more. Many resorts Fish Thalialso offer tents and one-day activities like bonfire, group activities, and games. Food is mainly served in a thali system – chicken, fish and vegetarian fare. This place is a paradise for seafood lovers. If you are a non-vegetarian, opt for a fish thali: you will be served bhakri, fried fish, fish curry and rice along with a side of chutney and a typical dried fish pickle. A refreshing glass of sol kadhi shouldn’t be missed. For the vegetarians, the thali is good but you might find less variety of items. Enjoy sizzling hot modaks, which you need to order a day prior.

Where to stay

This place offers a couple of resorts, but we recommend you stay at one the rooms or cottages that have been built by locals residing there. They serve awesome Konkan food as well. Most locals have made extra rooms and huge cottages for sharing basis for bigger groups. These rooms are clean and provide all facilities. Prices range from Rs 500 to Rs 5000, and can be negotiated depending on the seasonal period as well.

Getting there

Kashid is about 135 km from Mumbai, a distance of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes in terms of time. A good option is to leave on a Friday evening or early Saturday morning and return on Sunday evening.

The fastest and convenient way to travel from Mumbai to Kashid is by a ferry. With regular A/C and non A/C ferries plying from Gate Way of India, one can easily reach Kashid from Mumbai. They drop the ferry passengers to Alibaug bus depot and there are regular buses run by the ferry operator from all the Alibaug beaches to Kashid. Taxis are also available from there. There are two routes: you can head to Alibaug via Panvel, then take the road to Pen and drive towards Alibaug. Once you reach there, Kashid is about 30 km from Alibaug.

The second route is the Mumbai- Goa expressway. In case you don’t know the route, I suggest you keep Google Maps on, as they are very handy. Buses ply regularly between Mumbai Central – Murud, Thane-Murud, both halt at Kashid. While the train connectivity is not very good, the Konkan Railway has ensured that this area is now more accessible. If you plan to travel by train, make sure you book train tickets well in advance.

This weekend has a holiday for Holi on a Monday. I’m hinting you might want to take a trip and make the most of it.

(Pictures courtesy Deepa Mistry)

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My first overnight train journey

A Mumbaikar took a long distance train journey out of Mumbai this year – the first in his life, ever!
by Salil Jayakar | @Salilicious on Twitter

The thrill of arriving at DelhiI remember reading in my Geography books that that the Indian Railway was the largest employer in the world. That trains were the lifeline of India and millions of Indians undertook train journeys each year. Some of these journeys spanned well over two to three days and over 50 hours. Annual holidays were planned months in advance to make sure that the best berths were confirmed. During most school summer holidays, classmates went back to their ancestral homes and came back with tales of exciting train journeys.

I listened to their stories with a sense of awe and jealousy. For the Bombay born-and-brought-up me didn’t have a train story to tell! I didn’t have an ancestral home or village to go back to and we never really did family holidays. When I did start travelling on my own, with friends or for work, it was mostly road trips out of Bombay or long weekend trips to Delhi, Goa or Bangalore on a ‘cheap’ air ticket. Naturally, friends and acquaintances rubbed salt on my wounds. “You’ve never been on a long distance, overnight train journey?” “Dude, you don’t know what you’re missing!” “How can you have lived in India and never travelled on a train?” Needless to say, I hung my head in shame. 

But in the New Year of 2014, I can hold my head high and proudly say that I now have a long distance overnight train journey to call my own! On Christmas Day (2013) I was on a Delhi-bound Rajdhani from Mumbai 3 AC (no less), having managed tatkaal tickets a day before through an agent whose nonchalance throughout the dealings had me really worried. I had also booked tickets two months in advance through IRCTC but as expected, these were not confirmed till my journey date.          

Before my first long distance overnight train journey, I was as excited about it as a five-year-old who has new toys to play! At Mumbai Central station, well before time on the day of travel, I dare say I was visibly thrilled to see my name on that list stuck outside each compartment. The AC actually worked and I was completely taken in by the staff that came around offering pillows, bed-sheets and covers for the journey. I went camera crazy as I snapped just about everything on my smartphone – the coffee cup, breadsticks to go with the soup, the meal tray and even the ice-cream at the end. So much fun!

The journey in itself was quite ordinary. The cranky year-old cry baby slept through the evening and promptly woke up at night to keep us all up late in the night with his constant coffee on the trainhowling. Not to mention the uncle on the berth below who snored like there was no tomorrow. I realised that the top berth is not the best one to book if you want to sleep, difficult to climb up to and not enough head space if you want to sit for a bit when the other occupants are sleeping. But I suppose that’s better than having someone’s smelly feet dangling in front of your face. No?

In a couple of weeks, I’m off to Aurangabad to see the famous rock-carved temples of Ajanta and Ellora. My overnight train tickets are already booked and I’m excited to take off on another overnight train journey! 

Quite the pro now, ain’t I?

Salil Jayakar is a 30-something Bandra boy who loves Mumbai and London in equal measure. A journalist turned digital marketing consultant turned corporate communications professional, all by accident, he loves to cook and dreams of being on Masterchef – the Australian one – some day. 

(Pictures courtesy Salil Jayakar)

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A 31′ x 15′ tribute to Sachin

Visual Disobedience and Ranjit Dahiya pay tribute to Sachin Tendulkar by covering MIG Cricket Club’s front facade with massive mural.

As the Diwali weekend began, Visual Disobedience, a platform for emerging and unconventional artists, got together with artist Ranjit Dahiya, known for the Bollywood Art Project, to pay tribute to the greatest cricketer of our times, Sachin Tendulkar. In light of his announcement to retire from all forms of international cricket, it was decided that Visual Disobedience (VD) should pay tribute to him through a permanent mural, one that becomes part of the cityscape.

However, it wasn’t just about painting a mural; it was as much about where the mural would be. “A set of brainstorms ended up being cyclical discussions in vain – I guess we could call them vainstorms – before someone suggested we approach MIG Cricket Club, Bandra (E),” says Suprateek Chatterjee, Editor, VD. “After all, that is Tendulkar’s home turf – a ground not too far from his residence where he has routinely trained for nearly 18 years and, what’s more, where his son Arjun comes to train.

“We approached the MIG Cricket Club management who welcomed the idea and offered us the front face of their building as a canvas to be covered by the mural, which Visual Disobedience shall maintain for perpetuity,” Suprateek explained.

The mural is 31 feet in height and 15 feet in width, making it the tallest existing mural in Mumbai. It has taken 10 days to complete. It required Ranjit to dangle in mid-air for long stretches and even a near accident.

“As the final Test match between India and West Indies, to be held at Wankhede Stadium from November 14 to 18 draws closer, our hope is that this mural will stand as a permanent reminder of what a life spent dedicated to sporting excellence can lead to,” Suprateek said.

“I have been painting for nearly two decades and have painted several murals all over Bandra under the Bollywood Art Project. Cricket is a religion in India and Sachin is a national treasure, and since he is going to be playing his last ever match in this city, I wanted to pay tribute to him. I chose to paint an image of him that is truly inspirational and conveys the passion and intensity he brings to the game,” said Ranjit.

(Picture courtesy Visual Disobedience) 

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Of destination weddings and road trips

What’s hot, green and great fun on the beach? A road trip combined with a Konkan beach wedding, that’s what!
by Salil Jayakar

Destination weddings have always fascinated me. Imagine taking your vows at a sunny, beach side ceremony on one of Goa’s beaches or kick-starting a new life adventure among creatures of the wild at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. While such a wedding does throw up questions like who will foot the bill – for the more expensive ones – they nonetheless are a great experience for the couple-to-be and family and friends. Throw in a road trip, a bus load of family and friends, the scenic beauty of the Konkan coast – and you have the perfect ingredients for adventure!

wedding in KonkanIn May this year, my friend – the bride – decided to tie the knot at Chivala, an almost sleepy, beach side village in Malvan on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. I was among the fortunate few friends invited. A bus was arranged for 20-odd people who’d make the overnight 12-13 hours journey and rooms were booked in a comfortable hotel with air-conditioning. The summer months in Maharashtra (and most of India) can be unfailingly cruel. Yes, AC rooms are a must.

On the evening we were to depart, I met the other invitees from the girl’s side. I was the only boy in the entourage. An otherwise privileged position to be in, but not when you have to share a room with two girls whom you barely know! For someone who finds travelling with and sharing rooms with friends problematic, this was a challenge of mountainous proportions to say the least. The finer details of sharing-a-room etiquette will be dealt with later.

As far as bus journeys go, I’ve done very few long-distance, overnight ones and I was woefully unprepared. Words of wisdom – wear comfy pyjamas and if you must wear shorts, don’t forget to carry a blanket to keep you warm. For the long-legged, grab a solo seat at the back so that you can stretch in comfort. I had a bruised knee from the constant bumps as my knee knocked into the seat in front. A 12-13 hours journey turned out to be over 15 hours long, thanks to a longer route and a breakdown.

It is here, in a nondescript village, that I was surprised over and over again: at a wine shop where we bought some beers and drank on the road (girls included) and no one batted an eyelid, on spotting a canary yellow Vespa parked in front of a green shuttered shop door by the dusty village road that said “this is India” and that elderly woman who cleaned a bike chivalawith jet-sprayed water with much gusto for nearly 30-odd minutes! Surely, India never ceases to surprise…or is it just the city-born-and-bred me who is delightedly fascinated by what must be everyday occurrences in a rural setting?

We finally reached Chivala as the evening sun was setting. Roofed houses dotted the landscape and its people went about their work, throwing a cursory glance at what must seem to them yet another tourist busload. Tired as we were, we set out for the first of the wedding ceremonies – the haldi function. We walked towards the beach enclave where a shamiana had been set up. Harsh halogen lights threw shadows of the tall palms all around and the gentle waves of the Arabian Sea made a soft whispering sound as they gently beat against the sandy beach. When was the last time you saw a night sky filled with stars in Mumbai? At Chivala, the night sky was littered with a million stars! We lay flat on our backs on the sand and tried to spot our favourite ones…in the revelry, surrounded by people, I had never felt more alone, so fortunate.

The traditional Maharashtrian wedding ceremony the next morning – at the same beach enclave – was beautiful, to say the least. The bride looked stunning in her traditional lemony yellow saree while the groom made for a dashing figure in a matching yellow dhoti and kurta. We, the bride’s entourage, made heads turn – shades of blue and red dominated and were stand out colours against the sand, sea and sky! The ceremony went off well, we giggled our way through a series of photos and made our way back to a sumptuous traditional lunch with aam ras, too!

Post lunch, half a day at our disposal, it made perfect sense to head to nearby Tarkarli with its sandy white beach and promise of water sports. The local rickshaw driver gladly wedding in Konkanaccommodated all four of us – one in the front next to him – as he made his way through meandering village lanes towards the MTDC resort, a sort of entry point to the beach. I’d heard a lot about Tarkarli’s beach and it did not disappoint. Looking out towards the sea, I could just about make out Sindhudurg Fort, a mere 30 minutes away by boat. I don’t know what to say here…a beach side walk is exhilarating! There’s something about sun, sea and sand… it brought a smile to my face and warmth in my heart I can’t explain.

As far as road trips go… this one did not have many stops along the way. But the journey was memorable, nonetheless. Strangers became friends along the way and new bonds were formed. On our way back, as the bus’s headlights shone down the twists and turns of the Western Ghats, my mind was a whirling dervish of the smells and sounds along the way…from the roadside beers and moong dal pakodas at the village where our bus broke down to adrakwali chai and kanda bhajia at Chivala market…not to mention the intoxicating aroma of the local garam masalas that I bought along the way.

For what is any road trip without car or bus trouble, roadside food and memories?

(Pictures courtesy Salil Jayakar)

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Get out this weekend

Make the most of this long weekend with these six getaways around Mumbai – all within reasonable driving distance, too.
by Deepa Mistry

Weekends are always looked forward to, irrespective of how busy your week might have been. Weekend monsoon vacations are popular amongst everyone – who doesn’t like to sit by a waterfall or simply admire lush greenery? This is also the perfect season to go trekking.

This weekend, make the most of the sporadic rain showers and rejuvenate yourself in the lap of nature. Since a lot of places are considered ‘off-season’ at this time of year, this is actually the best time to go to these places as they aren’t much in demand and you can have a peaceful holiday. But since this weekend is a long one – with the Independence Day break on August 15 followed by Saturday and Sunday, you would do well to pre-book your holiday resort.

If you’re making plans for this weekend, we can help you out with six destinations around Mumbai:
Kolad: A three-hour drive from Mumbai will bring you to the beautiful marshlands of Kolad, with the majestic Sahyadris that form the best backdrop to the magnificent valleys. Kolad offers the chance to play various adventure sports like white-water river rafting, kayaking, trekking, and river crossing at Kundalika River. You can have your own bonfire and camp alongside the river. A lot of resorts have a one-day package for all these adventure sports as well.

Lonavala-Khandala: Monsoons are the best time to experience a blissful natural paradise. These valleys become lush green in the rains and the hill sides become the bearers of lonavalainnumerable waterfalls. Khandala is located at about 100 kms from Mumbai; the easy accessibility this place affords makes it one of the most popular quick getaway destinations from Mumbai. Don’t miss the beautiful and tranquil Bhushi lake, the Tiger’s Leap and the Amrutanjan point which offer an awesome view of the lush valley, the Duke’s Cliff and the Buddhist Caves of Karala and Bhuja. The Lion’s Point offers an amazing view of the valley and a plate of corn and onion bhajjis are a must-have at this point. Besides its natural beauty Lonavala is famous for its chikki.

MatheranMatheran: This beautiful hill station is located at about 100 kms from Mumbai, in Raigad district. A popular weekend destination, this is an eco-sensitive region, as no motorised vehicles are allowed within the town. One can travel around Matheran on foot, horse backs and hand-pulled rickshaws. During monsoons, clouds practically descend on the town and the view of the adjoining valley is totally breath taking; the many natural water falls magnify the mesmerizing effect. The beautiful Lake Charlotte, the ancient Pisarnath Mahadev (Shiv) temple and the Madhavji Garden and several other points are some other attractions of Matheran. This picturesque town is dotted with many beautiful colonial bungalows and a few local eateries. The mini train that connects Matheran with Nerul station is convenient, but the train doesn’t operate during the monsoon. When it starts again in October, you will see that it is a two-hour train ride that takes you across dense forests and lush hilly areas.

Lavasa: The ideal time to visit Lavasa is this season, owing to the pleasant weather that allows the exploration of natural wildlife and waterfalls located in the region. Lavasa is among the planned cities in India located in Pune – it is 65 km from Pune and 180 km from Mumbai, located behind the dam of Varasgaon. Due to its awesome location, people find it an ideal place for mountain climbing, hiking and trekking. Popular attractions here include Lakeshore, which provides an opportunity for adventure activities like boating against the water currents, cruises and jet skiing. It is an all-weather favourite getaway with the climate remaining salubrious throughout the year.

Durshet: Nestled in the lushness of the Western Ghats, Durshet (see pic on right) is a trekker’s paradise during the monsoons. This less frequented getaway is about 70 kms from Mumbai, in Raigad Durshetdistrict. The natural waterfalls spring to life during the monsoons, to provide an amazing experience to anyone who desires a respite from the grind and cacophony of daily life. Durshet is home to several species of birds and fauna. The view of the Sahyadri ranges from this place is spectacular. A jungle safari in the densely wooded region is a delight, as is a visit to the Sri Baleshwara Ashthavinayaka and the Shri Varad Vinayak temples, both dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Kashid: Located about 30 km from Alibaug, the beach is a popular weekend holiday destination for residents of Mumbai and Pune, and is situated between two rocky hillocks on the Alibaug-Murud road. Kashid beach is known for its clear water and white sandy beach. Kashid is also a good place for some dolphin spotting, but the best time to see the gentle creature of the sea is November to January. Locals operate ferry services to help tourists spot dolphins in the sea. Unlike other beaches of Maharashtra, the Kashid beach is less commercialised and is more peaceful than the other beaches around Alibaug. Moreover, shacks run by locals line the beach and are a good place to taste some local cuisine.

(Pictures courtesy koladrafting.com, www.traveldealsfinder.com, www.holidayiq.com, www.placesnearpune.com)

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Velo mania!

On a recent three-day work trip to Geneva, Mumbai girl Gurpreet Bilkhu got the chance to go cycling in Europe.

Ever since I took up cycling some years ago, I’ve always wanted to ride in Europe – a continent that promotes cycling like no other. Most European cities have dedicated cycling tracks, parking spaces, sensitive vehicle drivers and a climate that makes the ride even more joyous.

My wish came true on a recent three-day work trip to Geneva, Switzerland. I landed sleepy and tired on a Monday morning and spent the entire day in office. During my lunch break, I checked with everyone in office for bike stores, strangely no one was aware of any. My hotel helped me with this information. Apparently, Geneva offers bikes for free to anyone who wants to ride. Every year, from April 29, one can hire a bike for free from small arcades around Lake Geneva. Alas, I was there a week earlier!

GenevérouleSo I took the other option – Genevéroule – an association that promotes the use of bikes in Geneva. They have a big store opposite Gare de Cornavin, Geneva’s main railway station. One can rent a bike throughout the year between 8 am and 6 pm.

Knowing fully well how punctual Swiss people are, I left office early to reach the place before 6 pm. The experience was extremely pleasant. They offered me a bike with a frame size that was appropriate for my height. I was amazed to see their collection of some of the best road, cross-country and daily commuting bikes. I paid a total of CHF (Swiss Francs) 28 of which CHF 20 was a refundable deposit so the ride cost me no more than CHF 8 or approximately Rs 460. A very good deal indeed!

Initially, I was hesitant to ride in the midst of traffic in a new city like Geneva but passion took over Biking in geneva soon and I was rolling like it was my backyard. Geneva is a beautiful city and I was able to explore the smaller lanes that took through picturesque cityscapes I had not seen before. I rode in the botanical gardens, did the uphill climbs, and rode through the parks and around the Lake, on the bridges and what not.

After a two-hour ride, much to my surprise, I read names like Chamonix, Evian des Bains…was I at the French border? I was! I so wished I had kept riding that night and entered France but I was on a work trip and had to go back to report to work the next morning.

On my way back, I picked up a meal from McDonalds and sat in a park relishing it along with my dessert. I rode back to my hotel, placed the bike safely in the garage and went off to sleep. I woke up early the next morning and took it out again. Sun-kissed Geneva looked even more delightful. I saw the city waking up, met some riders, sipped coffee by the lake and then returned the bike by 8:10 am as I had promised. I walked out with a happy, content smile.

The day was a normal one as I worked through it but something extraordinary had happened. Something had made me happier this time around. This trip certainly was more meaningful and productive. I felt closer to Geneva than I had ever before. I felt that I knew the city better and probably (hopefully) the city got to know me too.

Some pics from Gurpreet’s Geneva trip:

This story was penned by Salil Jayakar. Gurpreet is a cycling enthusiast who works for an Indian MNC. Read about her earlier exploits with her bike at the world’s highest motorable pass here. 

(Pictures courtesy Gurpreet Bilkhu)

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