Where time and tides wait for everyone. Review on Alibag

Last month during our usual getting lost and getting back on the track again trip across Mumbai we reached the “Hanging Garden”, and I must tell you about the aerial view of "Girgaon Chowpatti" you get from there. It was quite a view to see so many people on so less of a beach fighting for space to get a dip of the holy water – LOL. I thought it’s a Sunday but the situation was absolutely same even on a weekday in almost all the public beaches of Mumbai.

This episode made me ask our own Adi Bhai(Zuludancing) about Alibag as he happens to be my one stop solution provider for anything I may need to ask about Mumbai these days and I am glad that I asked him as he gave me not even great directions but the names of the right beaches one should visit and what one should not miss to eat as well. Adi bhai – thank you so very much.

One of my best friends was visiting us for the weekend hence we made a program to start from Mumbai early morning on Saturday morning(Early morning for us is like 10 O clock) and reach Alibag by road in his Brand New Maruti Esteem which he was like too keen to drive on a highway. For the first 50 KMS till we crossed Panvel – I hated him for not inviting me to drive the car but once we crossed Panvel and entered Pen(that’s a small town’s name) I indeed loved sitting next to him because of the view I was getting. I was glad to not to be on the drivers seat as all they get on this road is just road that too a single track no two lanes – LOL.

We crossed 120 odd KMS in flat two and a half hours and reached Alibag around 1230 hrs. I was shocked to see what was there in store for us. I mean “Is this alibag they brag about all the time – sht man! Crap”. **You can’t even take a dip in the water at places as they have secured the beaches with those cemented ramps. As advised we moved on in about half an hour from Alibag to further deep down “Nagaav” Beach. The drive right from Pen to Alibag to Nagaav was great indeed. At times there is sea on your right side and some real good breathtaking views. So many times we felt like pulling over and spending time there but we refrained till we really reached the right spot.

In comparison to Mumbai these beaches are like Heaven on Earth. It was such a great sight to pass thru village roads with small shops and eateries calling themselves restaurants and no traffic at all. We missed the right turn twice for Nagaav and reached another spot but finally with the help of some kind directors –reached Nagaav beach and what a view it was. We were welcomed by a dead dog lying right on the mid of the pag dandi you need to follow to reach the beach. Before even we could see the sea the sound coming from that direction was huge – it felt as if we were to enter into a great theatre showing “Waterworld” with fifty thousands watts of sound. And the moment the great sea came to our view – it was like we were wordless for a minute. Great waves, huge sound, awesome wind and the clarity of the sand told us that we are finally in a great place.

As per my ruff calculation the beach must be spread in some kilometers and there were hardy 100+ people around – the closest ones to us were one inch in size from the  distance I was looking at them and to top it all there was no body to bother us with their bhelpuris and other stuff which we are never interested to take. Immediately the wives spread the chatai we were carrying and we guys with our kiddos ran to take the first holy dip in the sea and it was great to take that fantastic dip after a hard days drive and after such a hot and humid climate of the coastal area. Even naina was ecstatic to see the view and she too ran along the sea line for quite sometime before she fell face down on sand and tasted some salty water. That was her last dip in it and then onwards she was either in my lap or my wife’s.

The view is breathtaking – even after a couple of hours and being hungry since morning – we forgot everything and kept us inside the water – till the females decided that it was time we cut the cake as it was my friends wife’s birthday, what a way and place to celebrate the same. We had some pakoda’s and cake to eat and than we moved on to the nearest cottage to get ready for a real sporty day ahead.

Surprisingly there are no hotels or restaurants in this part of the world and one way it is good too – since they have not gone commercial yet. The cottage – old one – village style with those kavelu wala roofs – we got two rooms with attached toilets which were joined by a common door(I mean the rooms) and a great veranda with a swing in between the lush trees was a great time pass stuff. Cost was almost peanuts. Food was great as it is made by the next door family. It was as if I was having food at home.

We stayed there over night and spent the evening on the same beach and played a couple of water games took a ride on that horse cart – surprisingly my wifey agreed to go paragliding. It was awesome.

Next day early morning(remember what I told u about our early mornings?) we moved on to Janjeera fort and on the way we halted on another breath taking beach “Kaashid”, this one was more professional or shall I say commercial? As there were a couple of restaurants with all kinds of food available specially Chinese and stuff like that. Again spent a couple of hours here and moved on to Janjeera Fort which is midst the sea about 40 KMS from Alibag / Nagaav. Again drive was excellent – hilly roads and at times you hit the sea on sides. We really took some great pictures on the way.

The ferry ride was something I am never going to forget at least in this life time, as there are no power boats to the fort which is about a kilometer from shore and the only option is that sail boat, we were like 15 people and 5 sailors. The moment they started it – it felt as if we are going to topple anytime – the wind was so damn fast and was coming right from the opposite direction – at one point of time it came to my mind that I did the right thing by making my mom a nominee to all my insurance policies as none of us knew how to swim and I regretted that fact yet again twice in one month. It was a damn scary ride. But I was a little glad to learn later that they never had any accidents in this part of the world at least in the sea.

The fortagain is a great place to spend sometime. The view from the shore and from the fort is equally awesome. I mean the speed of wind was so great – it felt as if I am being hit by a speeding Ferrari again and again till I kept away from the open view and stood  behind the forts strong wall – this fort is in place for last 2000 years and until 1970’s there were villagers living inside it too.

Sailors work like a guide here and they show you some 15+ odd points, the guns on the top of the fort are worth a watch, I mean you keep on wondering how in the name of the world they have pulled them up this far and to the top of the fort? The front gate of the fort is not visible at all from the shore but the moment you come near the same only then you can see its opening and that again is hugely awesome.

Other places to visit: Revdanda Beach, Mandwa Beach(Agneepath fame), Birla Temple, Bird Sanctuary, AliBag Fort.