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Ever heard of the phrase "Change is the only constant". Quite lately I have come to believe in this phrase as I have realized one thing about myself, that I am not meant for the 9-5 job!
It was yet another boring and lazy morning where I was religiously scrolling down my mail box, wondering that what an exciting life I have! Have I for the past 2 years been a part of any tours? I realized that my life sucked and bored it is. I realized how important "change" is for my own better life and better productivity! Well then, these few thoughts were enough and so finally my mind said "YES! That’s it! Enough of warming the chair, out you are going on a road trip this weekend".
And who better to guide you than Google! I have always felt that I do not like easy things, so Google helped and guided me to this beautiful beach some 200 odd km from the hush-rush of Mumbai city through the mountain ranges in the Konkan Raigad district. The place called “Harihareshwar”. This place is often referred to as Dev-ghar or "house of God". Besides a major pilgrimage center, Harihareshwar is a popular beach resort with two beaches, one to the north and the other to the south of the temple. MTDC has a resort on the south beach. Harihareshwar, along with Shrivardhan and Divegar beach which forms a popular weekend beach destination from Airoli (my place) (194km) and I was lucky enough to get a cottage to myself at the MTDC resort!!
So destination was set and it was time for planning and picking up the necessary travel gears. That day after office headed straight to an authorized travel gear dealer in Vashi and picked up my kind of helmet, LS2 in matte black. It is really an experience to wear it and ride. It erases all the annoying background noise on the road and makes one feel that you are in a different world of yours.
Next up checkup of my P150 (aka Biky). Completed regular washing, changed rear brake liner, changed front break oil, air pressure and all other small jobs. Back home and now was time for packing.Had minimum required things to pack which included water (I knew I would be driving in same 45 degree Celsius)! My roomie was the most important person of the trip, thanks a load for joining me! I realized I am not the only one who want to spend some time in peace. Anyways, I am done all set and ready to leave next morning. Started the journey at least 1 hour late as was planned.
Route: Airoli > Panvel> Pen> Wadkhal> Nagothane> Mangaon> Mhasala> Harihareshwar (that's it!)
The day was as normal for everyone else but for me day was meant to begin the starting of my small trip to give me all the happiness and most importantly the satisfaction of spending time in the saddle. Started at around 7.30am in the morning, my Samsung GPS showed that I would reach my destination at 12.30. And the journey begins...
Wow! What a morning..traffic free roads the sun just making its way for its first rays and we drove peacefully. But as is said "well begun is half done" we accidentally got on to the Mumbai- Pune Expressway!! I was feeling all other vehicle owner's eyes on me, as if saying "you are screwed dude" or like "face the music now". The reason being, 2 wheeler's are NOT allowed on this Expressway and we very smartly and boldly drifting at the speed of 90 km/hr through this Expressway. And sure indeed we faced the music when we say a smiling Police wala waving his hands, asking us to stop and at 8.30 a.m. the 2 Police walas made there day by robbing us with Rs. 600. I thought, 'now there Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year, which was the next day) is surely going to be good!!'.
But such an incident did not ruin the energy was zeal within us. Took a U turn and headed straight onto the Alibaug- Pen Highway towards Harihareshwar. On the way we took 2 stops, 1st for breakfast and 2nd for the much needed sutta.
The best part was the sign which read "Pudhe Ghat Ahe" which means "Ghat lays ahead". Between the mountain, runs the Ghat. Hair pin bends, "S" bends and the "U" bends. Vehicles coming from the other side as well. Within such bends got the opportunity to check the nature and scene around. Lush green acres and acres of land, deep blue water bodies, clear sky...... The roads were good enough but were rough sometimes.
Finally reached at the resort at around 12 p.m. (reached half and hour early). It would be a complete lie if I say that my bumbs were not paining, but yes the journey was not at all taxing. The resort turned out to be really an awesome place. Simple, quiet and calm place with super helpful and polite people. And we entered into our Konkan Cottage made off wood. We also managed to lock ourselves out of our room and went running to call a helper who then showed his engineering skills and opened our door thus ensuring that we do not sleep with the animals at night. I would say our stay at MTDC was good overall but the place can be more beautiful and enjoyable given the advantage of the location and the scenic beauty around. The resort has its won private beach as well and if the waves are high you can almost hear the sound in your cottage. However you cannot really access the beach from the resort as there are plenty of rocks. Well the place also has a temple (forgive us God for not making visit to you) and another beach where majority of the activity takes place. There are a few water sports like Jet ski and ATV rides on the beach, but the best part was the huge waves and least population. It is just you and the sound of waves with the most spectacular sun set. It was more of a exotic weekend trip, which gave real peace of mind, miles away from the city chores and most importantly the noise of our life’s. We didn’t went for much of sightseeing or to any other beaches like that of Srivardhan or Divegar , which other tourists go and visit.
The night was completely dark and quiet. I loved and enjoyed the quietness it offered. Well on reaching here, I realized why it is called the "House of Gods". Have you ever heard "silence"?? Or heard the sound of insects?? Or of the wind through the mountains or the water ripples of the gigantic Arabian Sea? This place has everything to offer. I stayed awake for a very long time and felt like being in "nothingness" and didn't even realized when I was drifted into sleep.
Next day, after a decent breakfast stared my journey back home. Rejuvenated and refreshed. Started at around 9.30 a.m. and with pit stops for ever no needed ganne ka juice (sugarcane juice) and sutta again and lunch, drove at around 105 km/hr with the raging sun overhead. Reached home safely and satisfied at 2.30 p.m.
On reaching home and after getting into the comforts of bed, I realized that it is not the destination that matters, it is the journey or the route to reach the destination where all the fun lies!!
Cheers!!!
It was yet another boring and lazy morning where I was religiously scrolling down my mail box, wondering that what an exciting life I have! Have I for the past 2 years been a part of any tours? I realized that my life sucked and bored it is. I realized how important "change" is for my own better life and better productivity! Well then, these few thoughts were enough and so finally my mind said "YES! That’s it! Enough of warming the chair, out you are going on a road trip this weekend".
And who better to guide you than Google! I have always felt that I do not like easy things, so Google helped and guided me to this beautiful beach some 200 odd km from the hush-rush of Mumbai city through the mountain ranges in the Konkan Raigad district. The place called “Harihareshwar”. This place is often referred to as Dev-ghar or "house of God". Besides a major pilgrimage center, Harihareshwar is a popular beach resort with two beaches, one to the north and the other to the south of the temple. MTDC has a resort on the south beach. Harihareshwar, along with Shrivardhan and Divegar beach which forms a popular weekend beach destination from Airoli (my place) (194km) and I was lucky enough to get a cottage to myself at the MTDC resort!!
So destination was set and it was time for planning and picking up the necessary travel gears. That day after office headed straight to an authorized travel gear dealer in Vashi and picked up my kind of helmet, LS2 in matte black. It is really an experience to wear it and ride. It erases all the annoying background noise on the road and makes one feel that you are in a different world of yours.
Next up checkup of my P150 (aka Biky). Completed regular washing, changed rear brake liner, changed front break oil, air pressure and all other small jobs. Back home and now was time for packing.Had minimum required things to pack which included water (I knew I would be driving in same 45 degree Celsius)! My roomie was the most important person of the trip, thanks a load for joining me! I realized I am not the only one who want to spend some time in peace. Anyways, I am done all set and ready to leave next morning. Started the journey at least 1 hour late as was planned.
Route: Airoli > Panvel> Pen> Wadkhal> Nagothane> Mangaon> Mhasala> Harihareshwar (that's it!)
The day was as normal for everyone else but for me day was meant to begin the starting of my small trip to give me all the happiness and most importantly the satisfaction of spending time in the saddle. Started at around 7.30am in the morning, my Samsung GPS showed that I would reach my destination at 12.30. And the journey begins...
Wow! What a morning..traffic free roads the sun just making its way for its first rays and we drove peacefully. But as is said "well begun is half done" we accidentally got on to the Mumbai- Pune Expressway!! I was feeling all other vehicle owner's eyes on me, as if saying "you are screwed dude" or like "face the music now". The reason being, 2 wheeler's are NOT allowed on this Expressway and we very smartly and boldly drifting at the speed of 90 km/hr through this Expressway. And sure indeed we faced the music when we say a smiling Police wala waving his hands, asking us to stop and at 8.30 a.m. the 2 Police walas made there day by robbing us with Rs. 600. I thought, 'now there Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year, which was the next day) is surely going to be good!!'.
But such an incident did not ruin the energy was zeal within us. Took a U turn and headed straight onto the Alibaug- Pen Highway towards Harihareshwar. On the way we took 2 stops, 1st for breakfast and 2nd for the much needed sutta.
The best part was the sign which read "Pudhe Ghat Ahe" which means "Ghat lays ahead". Between the mountain, runs the Ghat. Hair pin bends, "S" bends and the "U" bends. Vehicles coming from the other side as well. Within such bends got the opportunity to check the nature and scene around. Lush green acres and acres of land, deep blue water bodies, clear sky...... The roads were good enough but were rough sometimes.
Finally reached at the resort at around 12 p.m. (reached half and hour early). It would be a complete lie if I say that my bumbs were not paining, but yes the journey was not at all taxing. The resort turned out to be really an awesome place. Simple, quiet and calm place with super helpful and polite people. And we entered into our Konkan Cottage made off wood. We also managed to lock ourselves out of our room and went running to call a helper who then showed his engineering skills and opened our door thus ensuring that we do not sleep with the animals at night. I would say our stay at MTDC was good overall but the place can be more beautiful and enjoyable given the advantage of the location and the scenic beauty around. The resort has its won private beach as well and if the waves are high you can almost hear the sound in your cottage. However you cannot really access the beach from the resort as there are plenty of rocks. Well the place also has a temple (forgive us God for not making visit to you) and another beach where majority of the activity takes place. There are a few water sports like Jet ski and ATV rides on the beach, but the best part was the huge waves and least population. It is just you and the sound of waves with the most spectacular sun set. It was more of a exotic weekend trip, which gave real peace of mind, miles away from the city chores and most importantly the noise of our life’s. We didn’t went for much of sightseeing or to any other beaches like that of Srivardhan or Divegar , which other tourists go and visit.
The night was completely dark and quiet. I loved and enjoyed the quietness it offered. Well on reaching here, I realized why it is called the "House of Gods". Have you ever heard "silence"?? Or heard the sound of insects?? Or of the wind through the mountains or the water ripples of the gigantic Arabian Sea? This place has everything to offer. I stayed awake for a very long time and felt like being in "nothingness" and didn't even realized when I was drifted into sleep.
Next day, after a decent breakfast stared my journey back home. Rejuvenated and refreshed. Started at around 9.30 a.m. and with pit stops for ever no needed ganne ka juice (sugarcane juice) and sutta again and lunch, drove at around 105 km/hr with the raging sun overhead. Reached home safely and satisfied at 2.30 p.m.
On reaching home and after getting into the comforts of bed, I realized that it is not the destination that matters, it is the journey or the route to reach the destination where all the fun lies!!
Cheers!!!
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