I left office early. I reached at home and met Sumukh. He booked the hotel Silver Sand on phone (02358 - 34501,Contact Person : Ms.Mamta ) and informed them about our arrival over there. We all four set off for Dapoli at 8.00pm on 13th Feb 09 by Sumukh's Indigo Car. We left from Dhayari,Pune and we decided not to go via
"Tamhini Ghat" at night time to avoid any risks in the journey. Sumukh suggested to take the root via "Chiplun". Pune to Chiplun is 117 Kilometers. Chiplun to Dapoli is 60 Kilometers. We all were in tension because we were about to reach in the Silver Sand Beach Resort on almost 2.00am in the morning. We didn't have much idea about the roads. We fueled the Car. Fortunately weather was good. Sumukh started driving excellently. We had several discussions during the journey about how we plan the travel and how we are reaching towards the memorable destination and what not. Our dearest friend Mr.Yogesh and his wife Archana could not come with us because his baby's was not well. We were sad becuase of this. In spite of this, our ongoing journey was superb. We stopped at Rupa Garden to have dinner at about 10.00pm for 30mins. We all had a light dinner and we resumed our journey.
There was a "Khambatki Ghat" on the way which is 6 to 7km long, having very sharp turns. Sumukh was showing his driving skills on these unknown roads at this night time. Indigo was giving the best performance, flashing intense head lights in the dark streets and we three were enjoying the new and latest songs with cool mindset inside the car.
On 1.00am,14 Feb 09, we reached at Chiplun. Kanchan could not resist from sleep.We enquired about the correct street to Dapoli in one of the police chowki at Chiplun. We were trying to keep Sumukh awaked. Prajakta,Kanchan and myself were discussing on various issues so that Sumukh will take part in it and Not feel sleepy. At one moment, we found that a Metador (a Vehicle) in front of us, appears suddenly in the dust and on the spur of the moment it disappears. We all were confused. Sumukh was also thinking what has happenend to the Metador. But we found it and then we felt relaxed. It was a very fast driving vehicle.
Due to cold, front glass of the car was getting covered with dews. Sumukh Was washing it using wipers in every 15 minutes. Finally he stopped car, get down and washed the complete front glass with dry cloth. We were scaring, why he suddenly stopped car and get down. It was a night time almost 1.30am and fortunately everything went well. He again reignited car and now we were very near to Dapoli.
Finally at about 2.30am we reached at "Silver Sand Beach Resort". The small roads in the darkness were scaring us. Intelligent Sumukh has found out the Resort in the dark and we finally reached on the destination.
To our surprise, we could hear the strong roaring sound of waves from the sea. In the dark, we could not able to see the sea but we could hear the sound of waves. We instantly forgot our tiredness due to journey and feeling excited. We wanted to see the sea but it was completely dark with no lights. We all four get down from the car and entered into the resort. Silence was everywhere and we were killing it by discussing about the resort and questioning about the same. We could not see exactly where were the cottages and reception, so Sumukh called at the reception using his mobile. Two gentalmen came out of reception. They asked very poliently who we are. After showing the recognition, they smiled and showed us our cottage. We all were moving towards our cottage and we suddenly found that we are moving towards the sea because the sea was making much noise which was exciting us. To our surprise, our cottage was exactly in front of the sea. It is hardly 100mtrs from the sea. We all were very happy. He served initial service to us and went away. We were very delighted to see the sea in front of our cottage. Our cottage No. was T - 1. Yes. It was the first cottage.
We entered inside the cottage (1800 Rs. per day) and found there were 3 beds, nicely arranged, One TV, attached fresh room, One cupboard with mirror. Cottage was like a hut. Wall of this cottage was nicely coloured. ceiling was nice and equipped with ceiling fans. We changed and tried to sleep, but nobody was able to sleep because of roaring sound of waves from sea. Somehow we all went into sleep. Some small dinosours were moving on the walls of cottages. It was a 'good' cottage.
At 6.30am (14 Feb 09) we awaked and moved to Sea beach. It was a dawn and sun had not risen. Cool air was blowing beautifully,making noise on the sea shore and we could see two boats were coming towards the shore,i.e. towards us. We were moving here and there on the shore and enjoying on Dapoli Beach. Water was everywhere. Waves were coming very forcefully towards the sea shore and moving back.Local boat owners were asking us to have a ride on boat to see the Dolphins (100 Rs per head). We decided to go for it. We had a 35 mins ride on boat and saw marvellous Dolphins jumping in the sea. We snapped some pics. That was very nice experience.
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First photo we snapped when we reached at beach. We were waiting for the Sun to be raised.
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Our next snap, immediately after 2 mins of first snap shown above.
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Hold your breath, Sun is rising ahead....
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Look at this view, How beautiful it is ! Sun was desperate to climb the hill.
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One poor fish came on the shore with wave, when we were on beach. Sea pulled her back in him. She is enjoying her life now...
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An insect inside the shell. Cute looking....
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I could not resist and hold one shell and observed it very closely. It was nice experience.
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We are on boat now to see the Dolphins. You can see the back of one of the black Dolphin. We cheered....great moment.
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This is not a evening pic. Its day time pic at 8.30am in the morning.
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Don't ask me the proof again.....
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Walking back to Resort after Boat ride.
Key of our Resort Cottage. It gives a "On the Beach" feel all the time.
After spending time for 2 hours, we had bread omlette, other snacks and tea at resort's dining section at about 8.30am. There was a good arrangment of benches near the sea shore. Long coconut Trees were everywhere. We had a good discussion on general topics, future plans. Service at this resort was really impressive. Young waiters were literally running to fullfill the requirement of the guests. They were smiling on each requests and doing there job perfectly. We again went to sea shore and snapped some pics on the sand.
Stolen Moments on Dapoli Beach.
Nostalgic moments of the Tour1.
Nostalgic moments of the Tour2.
Nostalgic moments of the Tour3.
Nostalgic moments of the Tour4.
Nostalgic moments of the Tour5.
Afer one hour we left from the resort to see the forts nearby. We drove our car throught the Koli Colony and observed typical sea shore people, doing their ritual traditions like marriages, wearing full of gold ornaments. We had a huge discussion on the same. Every woman in this society was wearing heavy gold ornaments. There was nothing much to see but we do spent some time on one of the another sea shore and enjoyed the beauty of nature over there.
We came back at resort after one hour and againg went to beach. We played there in water for almost 2 hours. We constructed Killas in the sand like small kids, we played football, Batminton on the beach. We ordered for veg and non-veg. At evening we had a full of Dinner which includes Fish,Egg etc. We had a soft drinks before lunch. We were very tired at the end of the day and wanted to sleep as early as possible. We changed our room to F-6 from T-1. Famous "Eka Peksha Ek" star Ajinkya Shinde was also on the same beach with his group for saturday(13 Feb 09) and sunday(14 Feb 09).
Our Cottage, were we had halted for 2 days (on first floor). Old but good one.
Cottages in a row. Nice one.
Dining place of the Resort. Cool Place to enjoy sea foods here.
This is the Entrance of Resort Silver Sand. A non-international standard reception counter where a man is standing.
We slept early on 14th. Next day on sunday (15 Feb), we woke up at 8.30am, had a round on the beach, had a breakfast and packed our luggage. Paid hotel bills and started our journey back to Pune from Dapoli. We started at 11.15 am. We had some darshan program at "Sri Parshuram Temple" at Chiplun and "Mata Vindhya vasini temple". We had a lunch at chiplun at 2.00pm and we left again for Pune. Reached pune at 9.15pm at night on sunday.
Thus we had a very refreshing journey on the weekends with per head cost not more than 2000 Rs.
Map of Dapoli
Information about Dapoli.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dapoli
http://www.konkaninfo.com/index.html
http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Dapoli_Beach-925053794.html
http://www.aroundpune.com/dapoli.htm
http://www.konkaninfo.com/dapoli/hotels_resorts.html
How to reach Dapoli ?
By Train
Mumbai - Dapoli
• Mumbai - Khed Station (via Konkan Railway)
• Khed Station - Dapoli (29 km) (via private transport – jeeps, etc. / state transport - ST buses)
By Road
Mumbai - Dapoli (235 km)
State transport (ST) buses / private buses / rented car
• Mumbai --- Mangaon (via NH – 17) --- Turn right at Lonere Phata
• Lonere Phata --- Goregaon --- Turn left towards Purar / Nandavi
• Purar --- Ambet --- Dapoli (After Ambet, follow sign boards till Dapoli)
(Route map: Mumbai - Panvel - Pen - Mangaon - Lonere Phata - Goregaon - Ambet - Shenale - Mandangad - Dapoli)
By Plane
No airport at Dapoli. International travelers should get down in Mumbai and then hire a cab or bus towards Dapoli.
Love,
Ashwin Shende
