Jun 02, 2006 02:12 PM
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(Updated Jun 02, 2006 02:12 PM)
I had the opportunity to go to Murudh in Feb. Had just got married and my wife suggested the place based on a freinds recommendation. I had never heard of it and was really apprehensive since images were not that easily available as well.
Anyhow we were to go to Murudh from Goa. We took an early morning train which left at around 6 from near colva beach. The train here I have been told invariably ends up running late and by the time we got there it was close to 4. About 2 hours late but the journey was definetely worth it. One travels through some of the most amazing valleys and foothills throughout this ride. The train is nice and clean, comfortable and overall very polite, decent passengers. You can just go open the bogey door and sit down and watch the scenery going by and I promise you time will fly.
The train does not have direct connectivity with Murudh. You get off about 45 kms away at Roha and then need to arrange for local transport to get there....and this is when it hit me- this place is suprisingly cut off allowing for a true get-away.
We got off the station and we stunned to realize that no taxi's were available since there are not too mnay to begin with. Choices--an auto. Now I ride in autos a lot in delhi ut this was sheer fun..imagine travelling 45 kms in an auto..firston the plains, the on the hills, through a reserve forest and then dropping down to Murudh. What an experience. An auto from here to the heart of Murudh town will be about 150-200..and u dont have too many choices so expect to pay that. The journey takes anything between 1-1.5 hrs..ur in an suto afterall.
We were staying at a resort called ''The golden Swan''. for around 2000 a day we got a small independent cottage with an attached bath, ac, tv, running hot and colod water. The room service is excellent thought the menu can be a bit restrictive. We went during the ''bird flu scare'' so most items associated with that were off. The entire resport is located on the beach. Walk out of the cottage and about a 100 meters away is the beach. During high tide the entire beach gets covered and the water stands right up to the foundation wall of the resort. High tide is twice in a day, during noon and then late evening.
DAy-1 :--- Got to the resport at around 5:30, not too much time to spend on the beach so took a short walk and got back to the resort. Teh resport does not have a liquor license so if you think youll wanna swig a few back then carry your own. There is a shop in the town. Thats where we went and picked ours. About a 25 minute walk along the coastline. The village is quaint to say the least. It has modern technology but the culture reeks of pure tradition and the architecture is to die for.
DAY2- woke up early and spent most of the day on the beach. THen hired an auto to take us to the docks where you can hire a boat to take you to the Fort. THe fort is impressive to say the least and is quite unlike something I had ever seen before. Its huge and right in the middle of the bay surrounded by water at all sides.The 2nd heaviset cannon in India is here. Definetely worth a look. The boat rides about 150, a guide (which I would recommend) is another 100 and the whol trip at a lesirely pace would set you back by about 2 hours or so. Came back, sat on our proch and spent the rest of the day there.
DAY 3- A good breakfast and spent the day exploring the town further and ofcourse at the beach.,
DAy4- we left teh resort at around noon and got to alibagh where we boarded a ferry to take us to Mumbai and then flew out from there for Delhi.
Its definetely a must see but my only advice is take enough time. Dont make it a rushed trip. We spent 3.5 days there but would have loved to have another few.
Email me if you wanna see some snaps.
IMP Note- Dont expect your mobiles to work there.
