On this exhilarating morning the journey by the coastal state road from Alibaug to Kashid kissing the shore and then rising in ecstasy was gorgeous. We drove to the village of Chaul with its ancient temple to a further transit stop of Revdanda Fort Beach.
REVDANDA FORT AND BEACH:
A 30 minutes drive from from Alibaug, 129 km from Mumbai brought us to a lovely beach and the ruins of Revdanda fort on the beach. We spent some time exploring the ruins of the old Portuguese fort with betel nut plantation around the ruins and a multi storied tower with a big cannon hole giving you a splendid sea view.
The winding road took us further to our next stop-
KORLAI BEACH AND FORT:
A pristine beach and and a small village with an intriguing history of 250 years! The language spoken was Portuguese Creole and so the customs since 250 years when the Portuguese left this region. The village remain secluded in spite of being so close to Mumbai. Though the intrusion of urban culture was then visibly seen.
The Korlai Fort and it's light house was difficult to climb with the water surrounding it from the three sides but once when we reached, it was a beautiful painting of nature by nature!
We left on our onward journey to our day's destination through the country road which hugged the shoreline or climbed up to a thickly wooded landscape.
May be 30 minutes or so and it just appeared!
Wow!
KASHID BEACH:
We were there. An expense of a beautiful sea wedged between two surrounding green hills. No flurry of activities like Alibaug beach. No crowd, water sports, snack bars, houses or buildings. A mystic calmness was lingering in the atmosphere. Only a musical sound of breeze through long suru and coconut trees on the silent paths. We got down from our cars and stood quite looking at the miracle of nature!
In the afternoon we walked around. White sand, blue sea, green mountains, paddy fields, rivulets and a 2 km stretch of beach between hillocks. A nostalgia gripped me. Looking at the giant waves crashing on the shore I saw her. I saw a surfing board tucked under her sturdy arms, her blue eyes meeting azure blue of the sea, a glint of mischief in her smiling eyes mocking and now nearer to me. I met her on one of the beaches of Goa. Davina Stephens, a celebrity in her own field. A New Yorker, a vivacious artist who had made Goa her second home for some time. She had her painting exhibitions in India, Bali, Brazil. Her canvas was a playground of adventure!
A tap on my shoulder brought me back on Kashid Beach!
'What are you staring at the sea?'Asked Tommy Singh with a frown.
'Beautiful sea and my memories!' ...' You know Tommy,' I continued, 'Why Kashid beach is not developed as a surfing paradise? It has everything. Look, these waves must be 5' to 6' high!'
Tommy thought for while and replied philosophically,
'Let it remain as it is. Quite and peaceful. let a person bury himself in the sand or make castle and be in his dream world'
It was a breezy evening. We took nearby trails and wondered about passing through casurina groves and cypress trees. It was soothing. One of the finest beach in this part of the region, I thought!
We had settled at 'The Prkruti Resort' near the hill in a beautiful cottage. A bit expensive (Rs. 4000) but good. In the evening we went for a Konkani feast at the Kashid Beach Resort Restaurant. Another good place to stay and for a lip smacking food!
We had an early break fast next day of local Poha (spiced and hot rice flakes with grated coconut) and a stuffed omelet with tomato, onion and green chilies. Phew!
When we came out of the restaurant we were puffing like a heritage engine of the Indian Railways and our tongues protruding like that of Doberman!
A 19 km journey to and fro to-
PHANSAD BIRD SANCTUARY:
We had a quick ginger tea at the Forest Rest House at 8 AM and left on a trail which turned out to be an incredible experience! The jungle walk was pleasant to begin. Tommy Singh was ahead, the forest guide with me when Tommy suddenly stopped. there was an alien sound. A tiger? Nonsense! No tiger here in a bird sanctuary, you idiot, I told myself! Then the guide pointed towards bushes- it was a wild boar, digging the roots of a tree! Ha...ha. City bums!
We laughed on the joke on us and proceeded. Then came the visual delight. The birds, butterflies, flowers blooming in the bushes and the shrieking monkeys! The aroma of the decaying leaves, trees was heavenly. Then all of a sudden the guide made us stop. He pointed towards a tree and then we saw the priced one-The Giant Indian Squirrel on a tree. What a sight!
While returning from the sanctuary the question of why this sanctuary was missing the tourist map was debated between me and Tommy Singh. The lack of marketing or the lack of accommodation facilities? It's sad. Such a beautiful forest of about 1200 hectares could be a paradise for the nature lovers!
We left the Phansad Bird Sanctuary and the divine Kashid beach with a heart heavier than the load of our luggage and car!
DISTANCES:
From Mumbai to Kashid: 140 km via Alibaug, coastal road 4 hours
or by sea from Mumbai to Mandwa to Alibaug to Kashid 2.30 hours
STAY:
Nisarg Tourist Home(near beach): Tel: 91-2144-278524/77
Sagar Tourist Resort(near beach): Tel: 91-2144-278525
Star Resorts:
Kashid Beach Resorts
Prakruti Resorts