RIDERS:
Razorblades - RTR160
Spiderweb - ZMA R
Shiva_zma - ZMA R
Old_Novice - P150

DESTINATION: Green Amboli Ghats

LANDED IN: Tropical Goa

CLOCKED: 1370 kms.

TRIP LOG: Cooking...

TEASER PIC:

Hope you guys like the GOA TOUR LOGO

@Mods: There are several pics with booze around that will be posted. Taken simply while laying back at the beaches in the evening, after which no one did any kinda RIDING. Each pic will be posted with proper, "Don't drink & Drive" warnings. So plz excuse, thank you...

@All: We strictly dont support DRINKING & RIDING together...

IMMORTALITY WARNING: Don't drink & Drive...

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:::TRIP LOG:::

DAY - 0 : the Packing

14th AUGUST: A very Restless day as I was supposed to hit the tarmac for a 1000+ kms. ride after long n still not packed n lots of pending work. 2233 hrs.: Posted on xbhp about the final plans n started packing. Plan was to meet Razor & Old_Novice at Powai lake at 0330 hrs. on the Independence Day & then proceed towards Panvel McD to catch-up with our last rider, Shiva. Damn where are my underwears...

DAY - 1 : the As-usual Start

15th AUGUST: All packed & ready by 0100 hrs. Patience had faded away n I was moving here n there waiting for the Uncle Clock to show its hand on perfect 3'O clock. My roomie came to me n told that he just got G.I.JOE - the movie, good print wala, n I put it on to watch some action before uncle clock showed what I wanted. Finally the time came, 0228 hrs.: I got up n started gearing myself up. Once again I did a last minute checking & Off to the first meeting point... 0320 hrs.: Reached Powai lake 10 minutes before the scheduled time (still people call me late-comer! where were u Mr.Ketan_r15?). Called up Novice & Razor, no one picked any call, I waited n 10 minutes later Mr.Novice showed-up, all excited about his very first Biking tour. 15 minutes later Razor showed up finally n we all proceeded towards our last meeting point. Meanwhile, when I was waiting, Shiva called up n told us to change the last meeting point n meet him at Panvel naka/junction. We reached there n called Shiva, he was waiting for us at Panvel McD (Waddup dude! How can you do that to us?) He found us after 10 mins. We did some intro wagahrah wid Mr.Old_Novice & revised some last min. riding tips for our Mr.First-timer n for us all time Absent-minded people as well... We decided that Shiva will lead, Razor & Spidy will Tail, while Novice stays in between n maintain the overall speed of the group, as he said he can do (n he did well, a lil risky though). We started at 0500 hrs. on NH4 towards Lonavla, our first Pit-Stop (105 kms.)...

THE RIDE

Pit-Stop 1, LONAVLA: After doing our stint with the local twisties on the ghats of Lonavla & thru the 7 kms. short distance on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, We stopped at a local tea stall. It was 0615 hrs. n it was cold out of our jackets n helmets, not much but yes, cold. It was all looking like the No man's Land on the highway, as hardly people pass thru NH4 from Lonavla in the morning time. We got ourselves some empty chairs by road-side & had Parle-G wid cutting chai, a lil chit-chat and Off to our destination again. Furthur Plan was to ride directly upto our second Pit-Stop (80 kms.) & have Breakfast...

Pit-Stop 2, PUNE: Riding unanimously for 8x10 kms., I decided to stop by a beautiful lake on the highway just at the end of Pune, which was a perfect view from my ex-gf's flat on 10th floor, lol. It was 0730 hrs. We took a long break here, n started with our first motography (sorry Jonak) sessions. Shiva had a nice quantity of home made Idly n chatni stuffed inside his bag for breakfast, damn yummy it was, though not enough for our Gutter like big stomachs. Did sum roadside pee n drank lots of water (as Anup always suggests) & took off to our 3rd undecided Pit-Stop (unknown kms.).

Pit-Stop 3, Some Damn DHABA: Dont remember its name, but plz avoid a place where you'll see lots of vehicles parked around. It basically serves milkshakes of the worst taste n breakfast made in the worst oil possible, enough to give you a bad taste for the whole day/ride. We almost did more than 100 kms. before this pit-stop. it was 5 kms. before Satara. We had milkshakes n wadapavs of some Alien invention kind... eeekkk!!!

GQ, NH4: As we were crossing Satara, we were looking here n there for the sign of a Castrol ZMA & its lean owner , someone we are friends with. But sadly Satara is a lil bigger town than we thought, had always crossed this town in night to dint noticed. Just as we crossed Satara, a biker in a Barmoda, Tee n helmet (thank god he was wearing a helmet, or else my speech was ready) on a blue R15 came beside me n said Hi. First I thought him to be some local rider, but then recognized him instantly, it was Gaurav (from Mumbai xbhp) riding with his few friends to same place as we were, Amboli ghats. We talked for a while about our scheduled plans, as the other 3 ripped past us. Later his gang joined from behind n I zoomed past them sayin bye to him. Hell these guys had really moved fast, took me another 10-15 mins to catch them.
As we were moving heavy Rains started & suddenly I found Myself n Novice riding alone together, we stopped for Shiva & Razor, n started gearing up for rains ourselves. They both zoom passed us as we still were gearing up n protecting/wrapping our Techs in polybags. Me n Novice moved ahead fast, roads were wet, but still we were comfortable riding at 100 kmph. constantly. After a few kms. we saw a herd of vehicles park in heywire manner n yes there was a vey damn bad accident occured just a few seconds back. me n Novice stopped n saw a Maruti Esteem worstly crashed Head-On into the Bridge divider. It had actually hit the divider not from side but from where it starts, the bonet was split into two n 2 ladies n one man were inside full bathed in blood allover. Novice asked me the police ka number n called up. While we were wasting our time to explain the exact location of the accident, Highway Authority of India's van was quivk to respond n took them to the hospital. We moved ahead, now a lil slow n cautious too. There was no sign of Razor or Shiva, after a while the rain stopped n road too were not wet, we ripped hard. Suprisingly Novice on his P150 was keeping up wid the ZMA @ 130 kmph (wid speedo error ofcrse, now dont start blabbering). We crossed some nice twisties, Kolhapur n after 15 mins we were able to catch the other two. After the Karnataka check post, Shiva n Novice moved ahead as they dint noticed Spidy n Razor taking a halt, as we were damn sleepy riding on straight roads. We had nice hot tea, adjusted our underwears (which had moved a few degrees in some wrong direction & was causing disconfort) & headphones (riding without music will be a curse to me) & then decided to ask for directions as we were nearing Belgaum, from where we had to take a right for Amboli Ghats. I asked some police wallas for direction n they told me to take a right 20 kms before Belgaum, which was 60 kms ahead. We tried calling the other two for informing about the change of route, but no one pickedup, we decided to move fast n catch them. We rolled @ 120 kms constantly n meanwhile I got a call from Shiva n I told him to stop at Sankeshwar, from where we had to take a Right for Amboli. Surprisingly I located them on phone itself n calculated the distance between us, just about 5 mins ahead n there they were.



It was 1330 hrs, we took a 10 min break n moved ahead, took a right from Sankehwar n the climate & winds showed drastic changes, it was cool n calm n Serene. Breeze was hitting us softly on the face (with our lids open) n there was no feeling like this, Riding thru country roads full of potholes (Ummm, butt message) & sorrounded by lush green forest. After moving thru a few villages & very narrow things the villagers called roads, we saw this sign-board : AMBOLI GHATS 3 kms It was 1440 hrs n we had perfectly managed to follow our schedule just being late by 30 mins (I was considering an hour atleast). Suddenly the lush green sorrounding transformed into Thick Green Twisties...
And ssssssskkkkkkkkkreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeccccccccchhhhhhhhh ... BREAKS!!!
I had to stop as I managed to be on road - on bike - in senses, after getting into a damn big n deep pothole n managing to pull out on time n safely on a very nice curve, dat was supposed to be a Blisss, rather turned into an almost Nightmare. We took deep breaths as others too dodged it very narrowly unlike me, Lucky buggers I say & again moved on in excitement. Trust me curves are very tempting in Rains, but can prove fatal. We moved ahead slowly, Shiva unable to resist his temptations moved ahead, Razor n Novice followed. I on the other hand decided to stay back n move slow coz of my almost bald (done 28,000 kms. n still good) tyres. Later I caught Shiva alone aside, other two had moved forward, we decided to do our first proper Motography sessions. Later ahead we found Razor alone aside. We decided to make it the Tamarind rice break, as it was 1500 hrs n no lunch. We called up Novice n he told us that he's waiting for us 1 km before Amboli village (damn he was fast, but risky as hell), I told him to move backwards as we were heading to Nagatta Waterfalls, which was 7 kms. on the opposite direction. The Magatta sight was amazing as you can see in the pics, n for the waterfall we only had a few words, "Never seen anything like this before..."
The water was falling almost a 100 mts down the gorge making a very narrow (n scary n beautiful to the core) Canyon covered in thick lush green vegetation with enchanting Flora n Fauna around. Different colors (of wild flowers) spread in-between the fluorescent green carpet covered all over the Valley, truly Breathtaking sight, a must visit.
We were all wet n tired, had covered 600 kms by now, we wanted to get laid sumwhere n change n have drinks n prepare ouselves to roam around the next day as it was almost evening, 0430 hrs We tried to find a motel but in vain, there are only 5 crap hotels around n 2 lodges in worst possible condition, all full, not a single room was available. Heavy Rains, nah nah, whole cloud was on our head (Damn this wettest place of Maharashtra) & free flowing. Spidy, thats me, was all wet n was shivering badly with no lunch, nothing, body had almost given. But we had no option but to move forward to find a decent place to rest. AWESOME... here it was, the World famous in Maharashtra, AMBOLI WATERFALLS, it was huge n tall n long n wide n everything I had never experienced even while trekking in Himalayas. All covered with humans of all colors in every corner of this place, so we decided to just click it n move ahead. Just then everyones eye dropped upon a signboard saying "GOA 80 kms" n I knew what was coming, our eyes co-ordinated, not mine though. "Lets Go Goa", shouted everyone, my worst fears came true. After a lil convincing I had to give In, it wasnt that I dint wanted to Go Goa (originally the plan was mine only) but my condition was mercyful, that no one showed upon me. We took directions from the local people n moved ahead, stopping at a few places to gape upon those unbelievable creations of nature, again I'll say, truly Breathtaking sight, or maybe the MOST Beautiful place in western India, Amboli Ghats.

..REACHING THE PARADISE...

We started for Goa while Novice n Shiva had already moved ahead. After a while Razor too was out of sight as I was slow on ghats this time, not coz of ghats were wet, but my rear tyre was worth showing some mercy. Making it angry would have costed me some bad scratches Found others stopped near a huge waterfall (the pics are already posted in SET:5) & Razor was clicking. Me too hurried up, took Shiva's cam n started
*CLICK* CLICK*-*CLICK* CLICK**CLICK*- CLICK*... here n there, into the wilderness n beauty I had never seen before F**King awesome man!
Razor n Novice went ahead while I took my turn to pose n Shiva was clicking this time. I climbed up the waterfall, I mean just below it, it was damn slippery n one wrong move would have made the fastest down-town getaway from Amboli ghats, directly to a place I only had heard about - Heaven or maybe Hell, cant say!
Again we started n Shiva - the fastest of our crew, was out of sight. I was the luckiest one I must say (though I dint get to enjoy any curves) as I was riding at 50 kmph max n enjoying every waterfall, the fog n the Grandeur of Amboli Ghats. Saw an accident again (the 3rd of the day) a Zen crashed into an Innova n the crasher standing blank. I moved ahead seeing no one was injured except the poor brainless vehicles & after around 30 mins. I saw Razor, Novice n Shiva waiting for me at the foothills of Amboli. Now I Novice took the lead n we entered a very pot-holed road, he was driving nuts n we were following nuts, nuts nuts crazy nuts, Idiots I say. Our Bikes ran here n there on a max 8 foot wide road full of holes n darkholes n different-different holes, bloody holes, stupid holes. We ran heywire, IN-OUT-IN-OUT-IN-OUT... F**K it! Was the worst On-road Off-roading I had ever done in my lyf. After nearly 60 kms of this holed stretch, thru villages n holes n no wholes, damn wot am I saying, I drove us nuts. We got out on NH-17 in Goa, Blisss... Our Arses finally got time to rest on the desired places. Our speed gradually increased, i was all DARK (not Darkhole)
Novice was leading, he rides like a nut I must say, "You hearing dude, plz start Riding safe, you ride very risky."
Finally after getting directions from the locals here we a were, ON SOME RIGHT TURN !!! I mean 7 kms before Baga Beach - the Desired Destination... GOA GOA GOA, We reached GOA, Damn it was the Maddest ride (with fun, not just mad like Mt.Abu ride), Phew!

THE GOA, THE BUDWEISER, THE CHICKS & THE CHICKEN

While going to Baga I was leading n we entered Calungate area n I was riding like anything, FAST, to reach the place asap n rest my arse. I unknowingly entered a ONE-WAY road from the opposite side n the on-coming traffic was shouting, I thought "CRAZY PEOPLE", but suddnly realised no one was tagging me n I was cruising alone. As soon as I stopped, cops got me, n it took me 10 mins to explain that I was an outsider n lost (They were Maharashtrians, My lucky day), they got a lil angry, shouted on me n they anyways had no other choice but to release me. Now where these guys were I dint knew, I was lost so I decided to move to baga n call them there directly. Found them midway 3 kms before baga. Yipppieeee, here it was, We had stopped in front of a Casino, I had never seen one before, to discuss n find the place, Shiva n other xbhp gang had stayed last time. It took him mere mins n we were there inside a nice cosy 1 room, bathroom-toilet attached place, refer SET:7
For a mere Rs.100 per night
We got two double-bed wala rooms. No bad intentions ppl, think clean...
NOW the plan was to walk down Baga beach, just a min away n lay our arse there with chilled Beer n Chicken, but first me n razor needed chappals as our shoes were wet n this was anyways not a place to roam around in shoes. Went down bare foor n bought two 2 pair of nice flashy chappals. Blisss baby, Blisss it was...
Found a nice decent place, a beach restaurant, with tables just on the beach with big resting chairs, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Bum resting
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... First sip of Budweiser, the best beer on planet, atleast it seemed that way then
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... first bite of the Chilly chicken Novice had ordered.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... the very first glimpse of Babes around...
We had now also ordered a Hukka, Grape-mint flavour & were chilling out Royally in front of the ever crouching Sea. Cool breeze hitting our face n us moaning in satisfaction... we had landed up ourselves in a perfect PARADISE!!!
"ALL WORTH BABY, ALL WORTH...", shouted us in unity, rather say we moaned in unity no power to shout-vout n all. Pure Blisss...
The night was awesome n cool. I got two back-to-back sms'es of Ketan n DK enquiring our location n status. Both were shocked to hear that we were chilling out in Goa n DK mentioned that even Rachit was laid around sumwhere near us. Razor called him n to our surprise, he was just to the next door beach, Calangute. He said that he'll be there a.s.a he is finished with his dinner n booze.
It was midnight, we were almost done, stomach full of chilly chicken, special Goan fried prawns n lots n lots of chilled beer, n our senses free flowing thru the smoke of grape-mint flavour, DIVINE ECSTACY... Just then I saw a very familiar figure coming out of the hippy Goan dark Night (not darknight), Rachit was here wid his chaddi-buddy gang. We greeted each other with a feeling of ONE, feeling like lost brothers from kumbha-mela meeting again, hehehe!
They tried to make us jealous by showing some cool artwork done on their biceps n around, TATTOOs they called that. After some half an hour later, finished with our CLICKING sessions, we parted to our hangout joints.
We decided to roam around Calangute beach n on Shiva's special request, tried our best to enetr sum disc or the other, but in vain. Saala Cosgeo bhi kaam nahi aaya. We roamed around n sat in a Hippy pub full of Black n White people, we were literally the odd-balls there. Ordered Budweiser pints. As I had not slept for 2 days in a row now, in no time my eyes were playing flip-flop n sleep gripped me a several times, me totally making a fool outa me in a PUB. I decided to leave other n go back to our pg place n sleep. All the three told me to wait as they had almost finished & were about to leave. I decided to stand out n walk a few circles keepin myself out of my sleep deprived senses. We reached the place walking & were totally dried out. We all took a pack of Old monk, which I was carrying from Mumbai (Emergency can be anytime) & ZzzzzZZzzzzzZZZzzzzzzZZZZzzzzzz...

To be continued...