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| Album cover |
Some 20 days before the trip, as usual I was going through travel and biking forums when my eyes got stucked on a word 'Sagari Mahamarg'.
To me, it sounded like an amazing fiction word. It was making me restless.
Next day in office I went through the list of national holidays. Got my leaves approved for the long weekend in October.
Initially the Konkan Darshan was solo later my friend joined me.
Planning the route:
This becomes quite difficult when you struggle between the time you have and locations to explore.
I started several times but left the job hanging as things didn't balanced out well.
As the route was through Sagari Maharmag or Coastal sea route I saw multiple creeks lying enroute. There were two options, one to bypass the creek and take a longer road around it. Second check if ferry services are available and their timings.
In total from Dapoli to Goa there was around 3 creek. Availability and timing of ferry was my only concern.
But I didn't wanted to escape them either :)
Luckily this was the most beautiful part of the tour. None of the Jetty made us wait.
Just as we used to do during Engg days, figured out the routes and halting stops in the last week very loosely.
Planned route:
Day 1 has to end at Ganpatipule [We could reach Guhagar on Day 1] [300 KM]
Day 2 has to end at Vengurla [We could reach Malvan city] [250 KM]
Days 3 has to end at Vagator, Goa after visiting Dudhsagar falls [We were late and could not visit the falls, so stayed at Calangute ] [200 KM]
Day 4 we had planned to reach Thane via Sawantwadi->Kolhapur [Again we were late and managed to reach Pune] [560 KM]
Preparing the bike:
Fixed my expired insurance and PUC
I had lost my visor for the open face helmet.
Struggled getting a visor for it. Finally a road seller fixed the helmet for Rs.250.
Got the bike serviced.
Asamanjas:
For me, the week before the tour gets filled up with multiple feelings. First three days of the last week, excitement goes on rising. From the fourth day feeling to avoid the trip starts building up. It takes a good amount of struggle to start the tour. Hope I am not alone but some of you may have surely experienced this !!
DAY 1 :
Vishwanath was to reach Bhayandar station at 5:30 AM. We started at the right time. Filled 10 liter Petrol and continued.
After riding the cold winds and dark blue sky at Ghodbunder hills took
Thane -> Mumbra -> Kalamboli -> JNPT Road -> Pen -> Vadhkal Naka -> Kolad -> Mangaon route
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| Near Thane |
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| Landscape near Pen |
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| Landscape near Pen |
Naka is small enough to be misled. Straight road goes to Alibag and the take left takes you on Bombay Goa Highway.
Took our first halt at Mangaon for quick breakfast.
From Mangaon rode another 10KM on the Bombay Goa highway before taking left for Mandangad.
Mangaon to Mandangad route:
Mangaon -> Lonere -> Goregaon -> Nandvi -> Lokarvan -> Bhingaloli -> Mandangad
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| Wild Plants |
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| River Reflections |
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| Dapoli has season Cricket too |
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| Mandangad Landscape |
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| Mandangad Landscape |
There is an Indian Oil petrol pump just before Hingaloli if you are low on fuel.
Continued towards Dapoli via Dattanagar -> Kadivali route.
Starting from Lonere to Dabhol the whole section is Ghat road with plenty of curves. Wonderful road to ride on.
From Dapoli continued towards Dabhol. This stretch of the road was worst in the whole tour.
Just as we reached Dabhol bandar a ferry was about to leave.
Quickly took tickets and parked bike in the ferry.
Ferry tickets are were cheap than we imagined. It was Rs.20/person and Rs.30 for two wheeler.
The ferry takes you to the other side of the Vasistha river on Dabhol jetty.
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| At Dapoli Jetty |
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| Ferry driver at Dapoli |
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| Dapoli landscape |
Some photos from and near Dabhol jetty
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| We have a busy day ahead |
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| Dapoli Dabhol creek view |
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| Vishwanath posing |
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| Bajaj Pulsar 150 |
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| Dabhol Creek view |
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| Ferry at Dabhol Jetty |
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| Konkan Houses |
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| Supriya at Dabhol Jetty |
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| At Dabhol Jetty |
