Beaches big disappointment. Review on Daman

Daman is referred to as Goa's poor cousin - because they are both on the coast and share similar Portuguese history. But what is not mentioned is that beaches in Daman are nothing compared to the clean Goa beaches

How to reach - Daman is just three hours away from Bombay in a fast express train. In a slower train, it can take 5 hours. It lies on the Bombay-Surat line, hence there is a lot of options. You have to disembark at Vapi station, from where you can hire an autorickshaw or a taxi to take you the 25 km to Daman. I didnt enquire, but I am sure there are some bus options as well. You can drive from Bombay to Daman too

Stay- Daman has some pretty good hotel options - we stayed in Hotel Miramar and it was a really nice place to stay, at the same time not too expensive. The only problem - its situated right on Devka beach. So whats the problem you ask?

Well the problem is that Devka beach is not a sand beach - its a pebble beach - the seashore is composed of pebbles and rocks - somewhat like the Bandstand in Bombay. The seashore itself is quite flat and shallow for a long distance - which means in low tide, the water recedes far from the sea. And not that things get better in the high-tide. The water is dirty brown in color - probably due to the profusion of industries in this tax haven as well as surrounding Gujarat. I thought the water looked worse than Juhu beach! So forget about taking a swim in the sea - you wouldnt feel like dipping your toe in that water!

The other beach in Daman - Jampore beach is much better - because its a sand beach like beaches are supposed to be. But the water is still the same and hence not much fun either. But atleast you can build sand castles etc if you are so inclined - or take horse rides.

But Daman's major attraction is its alcohol policy - zero or very low taxation on alcohol! Consequently, it is a haven for tipplers! But forget about having a beer while stretched out on a beach chair under a beach umbrella. Unlike goa, there arent any beach chairs or hammocks. All you have is dirty little shacks selling tea, pakoda or if you are lucky, omlettes.

So if alcohol isnt your favored poison, there is precious little to do in Daman. You can finish the fort and the two churches as well as all the other attractions in half a day. Daman is divided into Nani and Moti Daman by the Damanganga river. Nani Daman has Devka beach and all the good hotels. Moti Daman has the big fort, churches and Jampore beach, but only cheaper hotels. Curiously auto rickshaws seem loathe to cross over to the other side and will take you to the bridge and have you walk across it! They do charge quite a bit more per km as well.

Every weekend, tipplers from all over Gujarat turn up in Daman to wet their Prohibition-parched-throats - so dont get surprised if the hotel restaurant area is suddenly overcrowded in the evening and there is live musical performances going on! Its all going to vanish in the morning and you will have the hotel all to yourself .

Apart from the fort and the beaches, there is one more attraction in Daman - the Mirasol Water Park. Its adjacent to a hotel of the same name but the park is a self contained unit. A pretty decent collection of slides - where an adult can enjoy as much as the children. It has a wavepool, which is only run in the evenings for one hour. And a chlorine-drenched-rain-dance room, where you would choke to death in Chlorine fumes if you venture in. But the basic rides, kiddy pool and canal are pretty ok and a lot of fun.

Conclusion - if you are a beach person, dont bother going to Daman. If you like historical stuff, forts and old churches - Daman just barely makes the grade. However if you like your spirits, then think no further. You can booze all night and then sleep though the day in your sea facing room - only to begin partying again in the evening - and still not empty your pockets! If you get bored of boozing, take a trip to Mirasol water park, freak out on the rides during the day - before hitting the bar again:)