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| Multiple Shades of Akshi Beach |
From the day I landed Mumbai I have been thinking of going to Alibaug.
Finally it happened even though after months. Alibaug is a small
beautiful place, around 95 kms from Mumbai. One can reach Alibaug from Mumbai via sea
or road. I prefer the sea route which is shorter and faster. I
left home in the morning for Gateway of India to take the ferry to Alibaug. Ferry would take me around 90 mins to reach there. My bad... I
reached Gateway of India to find out that ferry discontinued last week
as monsoon was approaching. Without wasting time I quickly took local
train from CST to Panvel. From Panvel you get bus for Alibaug every 30
mins . My bad, there was no AC bus , I had to take a local non AC bus. Oh God ... What a ride it was! It was like one of those rides at adventurous parks.
It
took around 2 hours from Panvel to Alibaug. I was tired and hungry. My
eyes got hold of jack-fruit and black currant being sold by locals near
bus stand. I had the best black currant ever ... Very refreshing , sweet
and juicy. Alibaug is also famous for seafood.
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| Pebbles filled Korlai Beach |
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| Flora filled Revdanda Beach |
My first visit is to
Alibaug beach, from there I planned to go to Kolaba fort. I reached the
beach, asked a hawker about ferry or boat to Kolaba fort. He told me
water level is so less I could actually walk to the fort or go by horse.
I was surprised and amazed to hear that... Go to an island from a beach
by walk. Awesome !!! That is what exactly I did I walked to Kolaba fort
... What an experience ... Walking in sea water, playing with water while
enjoying the sunset . Another pleasure was seeing the horses riding in
sea water. Such a queit and calm sea...
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| Sunset at Alibaug Beach |
Kolaba fort was indeed
majestic ... It was one of the forts ruled by famous Maratha King
Shivaji. History of Kolaba fort itself is very fascinating. The entire
place looks like an untouched village far away from city life. I like
the big rocks and walls. A small broken hut attracted me, the entire
view was not less than a dream . There is a beautiful white temple of
Ganesh ji. It looks so beautiful amidts of grey rocks and greens. While
returning from the fort to the beach I was amazed to see that sea water
level had further gone down, there was no water ... Seriously !
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| About Kolaba Fort |
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| Alibaug Beach |
My
next visit is to Akshi beach. Akshi beach is just Wow! I have been to
many beaches but this one is unique. You will love the multiple shades
of the beach . It looked as if God Himself came and painted the beach.
This beach is also so queit and calm. Having famous Alibaug's coconut
water and enjoying the view ... I loved it totally.
From Akshi
beach I went to Nagaon beach. Nothing exciting about Nagaon beach,
somehow I found it muddy, may be if you like making clay toys you may
like to use the muddy sand to make toys or castles. From Nagaon beach I
went to Revdanda beach which is famous for Revdanda fort. This is
another beautiful unexplored place. Revdanda fort itself is like a mini
jungle untouched by humans for ages. Revdanda fort was built by
Portuguese. There is a beautiful Portuguese church also near this place.
In Alibaug you will get to see multiple shades of beaches. Like in
Revdanda beach you will see green beach covered by green Flora.
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| Revdanda Fort |
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| Revdanda Beach |
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| Portuguese Church |
My
next destination is another unexplored place ... Korlai village. This
is where fishermen live. It's a first time experience for me to see how
fishermen lead their lives , their small houses , how they work non stop
... Life is not easy. Korlai beach is massive and beautiful . Ride to
the beach was not easy. It was a narrow patchy road which led to the
beach... A thrilling ride I must say. After Korlai beach I went to
Kashid beach. Kashid beach is like one of those crowded Goa beaches...
Many people having lots of fun , water sports etc.
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| Korlai Village |
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| Korlai Beach |
Two
main destinations I wanted to visit in Aibaug are Undheri and Khanderi
forts which you can go only by boat or ferry from Thal beach. I reached Thal beach to take the ferry to these two destinations which are next
to each other. Thal beach is another untouched fishermen space. This
place is full of boats and nets used by fishermen while fishing.
Unfortunately boats and ferries were banned for two months. So I
couldn't go further. I could only see Undheri and Khanderi forts far off
from Thal beach. I have a strong reason to come back to Alibaug.
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| Narrow Road to Korlai Beach |
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| Fishermen's action stuff |
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| View of Undheri and Khanderi Forts from Thal Beach |
My
last destination is Varsoli beach... Another very clean and beautiful
beach. Evening is the best time to go to this beach, enjoy the clean and
calm sea. You would love to spend the entire evening at this quiet
beach. Have a nice tea at one of the tea stalls around before leaving
from this place. You would also enjoy a short ride around the trees
surrounding the beach.
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| Varsoli Beach |
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| Alibaug famous Pomfret Fish |
One thing I observed was most of the
beaches in Alibaug are so quiet and calm. All beaches are very clean
with clean water. And best part is most of the beaches have less or no
crowd. It's like the entire place is mine,What else you want! I find
Alibaug beaches much better than Goa beaches. So if you are planning
your trip to enjoy sea beaches, next time opt for Alibaug not Goa. It
will be 30% the cost of Goa trip and 200% fun.
