After long time of yes and no we were finally able to convince 6 of us to do this outing.
Six of us in ascending order of weight rainging from 55 - 105KG : Chilly, me, Maloo, Bacchan, Kattu and Raj.
We decided to go on bike as we all agreed that it will be more fun and freedom biking. We took 3 bikes from three different staples. Bajaj Pulsar, Honda Unicorn and HeroHonda CBZ Extreme.
Some details of the trip got from my friends
1. Via Tamhini Ghat (200 Km) Road map: Pune - Chandani Chauk - Paud - Mulshi - Dongarwadi - Tamhini Ghat - Vile - Nijampur - Mangaon - Lonere Phata - Goregaon - Ambet - Mhapral - Shenale - Mandangad - Dapoli
2. Via Bhor (185 Km) Road map: Pune - Khed Shivapur Bhor Varandha Ghat Latwan Dapoli Pune --- Pune Bangalore Highway --- Khed Shivapur Turn right just ahead of Khed Shivapur at Bhor Phata Bhor --- Varandha Ghat --- Cross NH 17 at Hotel Sagar just outside Mahad --- Latwan. • Follow sign boards towards Dapoli. (Road map via Bhor: Pune - Khed Shivapur – Bhor – Varandha Ghat – Latwan – Dapoli)
3. Pune-Wai-Poladpur-Bharne Phata-Khed-Dapoli. (225 Km)
4. Pune: Dapoli (Via Khopoli-Pen) Good Condition Road Pune-Lonaval-Khopoli-Pen-Nagothane-Wakan-Indapur- Mangaon - Lonere Phata - Goregaon - Ambet - Mhapral - Shenale - Mandangad - Dapoli
We took the Route 2 while going and Route 1 while coming back. Both are eqaully bad and good but the Route 2 is smaller and must be taken for more scenery and time saving. But Route 1 is more often used so you will find more vehicles on it and is helpful in case of emergencies. Choice is yours.
Journey till destination
We started at 5:50 in morning almost on time as per our plan. Nature was cool with us and provided a pleasant ride. We took the path via Bhor. Ride till Bhor was cool. Stopped there for breakfast which was usual one with samosa, bhaji and tea.
We must find some good ideas of carrying luggage on bike. pillion carry the backpack is a pain. And what we tried turned out to be a mess. I tied the carry bag carrying sandals and few snacks to the rear of bike. It was working fine till we stopped at Bhor for a break, it slipped and came over to silencer and then fumes........ Raj bhai's 1 day old new sandals suffered serious burns (ha ha ha). Only thing for consolation was that they still looked usable at least. We couldn't stop laughing and stare at Raj's confused face. The snacks got baked again.
After Bhor our ordeal of bike ride started. Road looked made only for trucks. It was feeling like there was no suspension in bike. Walking felt easier than riding. But landscape were cool. Very nice weather with sun light doing wonders on mountains, clouds and water.
Reached Mangoan intersection and from there on ride was smooth though we have few more ghats. Maloo doing his part of driving through ghat and he may have frustrated at least few drivers with his driving skills and experience. We saw one such case where a sumo driver finally accepted defeat and didn't try to overtake Maloo after some 15-20 tries. Each time sumo tried to overtake, Maloo will come in the line as if reading the mind of sumo driver.Anyway the ride ended safely. Reached Harnai by 1:30
Stay Day 1: Tiredness
We had lost our butts by the time we landed in Harnai. Everyone was looking for cushion. On top of this when we reached there we were almost crying that its going to be a big flop. It no where looked like farmhouse resorts or rental houses. Its was a fish market smelling fish and very bad looking hotels. It was almost certain we cannot stay here. So after much inquiry we got to know that we must go to Murud (not Murud Janjira this is different) some 10 Km from Harnai. It was along the same coastline. And reaching there we were so relaxed. It was what we wanted. Then we finalized on one rental house. It was simple with basic amenities at 500 Rs per day, a bit costly to say. We took two rooms. We had garden in front of house for our late night folklores. Had lunch and in a snap every was sleeping.
In evening went to beach and it satisfied our expectations. Good beach, good waves, not very crowed. Enjoyed time in water.Stay Day 2: Dolphin/Fish market
Next day we got up at around 8. Had poha for breakfast. Was good.
Then somehow got ourself ready to go to the beach. There we decided to go for Dolphin watching. We didn't believe there will be dolphins here. But more enjoyable was the boat ride than the dolphins. As we start from the beach the boat has hard time getting over the huge waves formed near the beach. The boat was swinging almost 40% up and down on each wave and we were feeling this time it will fall on its head. But it continued see-saw for some 10 mins and then reached deeper into sea and the waves also were smoother now. We wished the boater took us from beach to sea few more times. We felt even if we don't get to see dolphins, ride was worth taking.
After some 5 Km of travel into sea we finally got the dolphins to show up them self. And then there were 3-4 of them. Boat engine was stopped so we can be as near as possible.
We were there for around half hour. Enjoyed each time they come up. But they were big ones and we were told if there was any young one it will do the total jump as we see it in movies. Whatever we saw was quite breathtaking for us. Heart escaped breath at the look of water around. None of us could swim.On way back to beach we missed the waves as the boater was smart enough to align the boat with one wave and we were carried to beach in a single wave and that too in a snapshot. One thing to note was the propeller of the boat. It was too small from our expectation.
After lunch and some rest we went to the fish market at Harnai. For me I saw many new fishes, lobsters. It was a bit crowed. Saw fish auction, but I felt the people pulling the price up belonged to the same group and were doing intentionally, fishy. Bought some fish for dinner (gave it to landlord to cook). Then from there we went to light house a working one. View was good from there. Spent sometime and then back to the beach. Got a rubber ball and played catching in the sea. Was good fun and very demanding thing to do in water. Now I know why swimming is rated as best exercise.
Stay Day 3: Most disappointing one
We decided to visit the caves and hot water spring. As per our map it was some 20Km from dapoli so effectively 35Km from our place. But in the end when we reached back we had traveled 120Km too and fro. We took the wrong route on way to hot water spring (Unhavare). The road looked endless and we kept riding on and on. The route was through almost jungle. I dont think anyone dared to travel at night there. Nothing only deep valleys and trees. We enjoyed some wild fruit (kali maina in hindi) though. They were almost double the size we get in pune. Enjoyed few mangoes. Hot water spring turned out to be a big disappointment. We had imagined something like real spring. Hot water coming out of some rocks etc and forming a small river or lake. But what we saw looks as in below image.
Water was boiling hot though, but i don't its was worth coming so long for this. In winter season also you cannot enjoy this as its too small and not suitable for taking bath in a group. We had carried clothes to have a bath and now we were having prank on each other about it.The caves were good, but needed some torch etc to see inside. It was very dark inside. And as we were running out of time we didn't try anything. Cave lovers can visit there for caves.
Journey back home: Toughest bike ride
Unexpected was waiting to happen still and it happened as bike puncture. Chilly's bike got punctured just 5 Km from our place. It was early morning and nothing we can do. With the help from a boy at a near by dhaba we were able to dismantle the tire and carry it to Dapoli. Where had time finding an open workshop, then the tube needed replacement and no tube shop open. Somehow tube was patched and we used it for next 30Km, thanks to god for not testing us again. At khed we changed the tube.
This time sun was at its hottest and ride was very uncomfortable. Had lunch at Mangoan intersection and then took different route back via Mangoan. We had thought this will be better but longer, but it turned out to be worse and longer. We took many breaks and after each break we felt Pune was moving farther instead. In the end managed to reach back home by 7:30 8pm. So total of 12hr on road on way back.
Retrospect
Trip was good and well managed. No difference in views and no fighting on stupid things.
Learned to take out bike tire.
Few learnings for long bike riding.
.JPG)