Being India’s PM is one of the most important and complicated job in world. So, report card is important to see (a) What’s going good? (b) Where improvement is needed (c) What’s bad?
This will set tone for agenda for 3rd term, if Modiji Wins (which has 99% probability)
Suggestions in nut Shell
Somehow get hold of state subjects (Health, Education, Urban/Rural infra, pollution). Scores are least in that. As head of country, he needs to figure out ways. Because these are subjects, with maximum contact time with “Mango-man” (aam – aadmi)
More to be done to tackle corruption. More than lip service needed and BJP’s washing machine has to stop.
Acceleration in work. Project delays , decision making time to be reduced.
Korlai fort (the last 1-2 km drive is not for weak hearted)
Nagaon Beach (driving beach)
Beautiful Sunrise- Nagaon Beach
Driving Experience:
The whole drive experience has improved over years, but still not up-to the mark. The national highway (Mumbai-Goa) is concrete, but safety features are missing. Diversion from highway to Alibaug road was freshly laid and hence my experience was good (pretty sure, it will be wiped out in next monsoon).
Korlai Fort: The 1-2 km road behind is a single lane road, creating a jam with two vehicles in opposite direction. The sea view is fabulous (mini California beach highway road)
Google map accuracy: Was very good.
Mobile Network: Jio network was patchy, south of Alibaug. Better carry some cash and not reply completely on UPI.
Amenities: All road side amenities are there. The area is populated and hence no shortage of vehicle and stomach filling stations.
Activities to do:
If accessible, go to Alibaug fort, few 100 meters inside sea.
Take sea bath in Kashid beach.Changing room in beach shacks are there. Beach shacks are there, but donot expect Goa kind of amenities.
Water sports in Nagaon, Kashid beach.
Sur rise, Sun set drive in Nagaon beach.
Drive and hiking to Korlai fort. Light house is also there. (Rs 20/pp entry)
The view from Korlai fort (Portuguese fort, build on Estuary) top. Fabulous.
Hotels:
Being close to Mumbai, Pune: the place is dotted with hotels and resorts from budget to high end.
Nagaon, Alibaug and Kashid are main places.
Prices can double to triple with season and long weekends.
Tent stay for adventurous ones in Nagaon. Famous among young couples and friends groups.
Others:
For South Mumbai, M2M ferry service is a good option.
Do try fish meals, Konkani meals.
Best time to visit: November to March
Monsoon can be scenic, if one can tolerate heavy rains.
Sunset in Kashid beach
Alibaug Beach
Korlai Fort: In noise of Alibaug and Kashid, this place is bypassed/missed/unknown. But is a must visit place, for many reasons:
Last 1-2 kms drive right on coast, is a single lane (freshly laid)concrete road. 2 vehicles from opposite direction and you are stuck. One has to back off.
The light house has well maintained garden and view from lighthouse top is fabulous.
The 5-10 mins stepped hike to Fort is worth the effort. ,View of river estuary , explains the importance of fort and why Portuguese build it 500 years back.
Although Mumbai has many places to see, but this blog is about places me and my family visited in Dec 2023, over period of 4 days. Thus, this can be potentially your itinerary, if you cannot make out a plan for Mumbai darshan (Mumbai sight seeing).
~350 kms drive over 4 days, covering all major roads of Mumbai
Mode of transport: Everything in car. Although, Mumbai has local train options, but it can be exhausting tiring and challenging for a tourist.
Following can be a 3 day schedule;
Day -1: Elephanta caves, Gateway of India, Marine drive, Girgaon Chowpatty.
Day-3: Water kingdom in Gorai, Pagoda (Myanmar style), Gorai beach.
Elephanta Caves:
If you have historical place taste, then Elephanta caves is good place to go from Mumbai. It is 1.5-2 hrs boat ride (only option) from Gateway of India. The hill-lock island caves can be explored in 1-2 hrs.
Parking facility is available near Gateway of India, but ready to shell out Rs 500.
Elephanta boat ride is Rs 260 per person (return). Boat has light refreshment options and Elephanta caves have few restaurants options (MTDC Chalukya restaurant, just before ticket counter of Elephanta caves is best)+ walkway full of refreshments. Boat journey will be exciting, as one sees skyline of Mumbai, many important landmarks, oil ships, birds.
Entry to Elephanta caves is like ~20-40 per person (Indian citizens). Washroom, drinking water and light refreshment facilities is also available within premises of Elephanta caves.
Elephanta caves are many centuries old and used to be worship places for hindu/buddhist monks. There are number of caves in different stages of completion (/incompletion). The oldest ones are more complete, with gigantic rock cut images of Lord shiva in it’s various forms. Adding a link (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/244/) for more details, rather than me giving a poor description.
Hill lock island of Elephanta caves
Big ships as seen from Boat ride to Elephanta caves
Rock cut idols inside the Elephanta caves
Smaash (Lower Parel): Nested within the costliest real estate pocket of India, Smaash is famous for its indoor games and entertainment. It has bowling, box cricket, guided rock climbing, go karting and many other games. It is costly (by Indian middle class standards) and easily cost Rs 2000-3000 per person. It has got parking facility with great views of surrounding skyscrapers (Trump tower, Lodha ).
Siddhivinayak Temple, Dadar: The main temple of Mumbai dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is usually crowded and has problem of parking facility. Free Shoe stands are there after temple security check.
Gateway On India, Taj Hotel: More than 100 years monuments and are Mumbai postcard. Parking is available. Boats for Elephanta caves, Alibaug starts from here.
Water Kingdom, Gorai:
It is water park nestled in green lush of Gorai village. The famous Essel world of 90s is now closed and only water park operates. Rs 1300 per person, it is a descent one day spent with family. It has got all that is required: parking facility, restaurants, lockers (Rs 200 per locker), washrooms, changing rooms. It can reached by road or boat that operates from Borivali.
1 day trip from Mumbai to Bhimashankar, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlings.
Total Distance (round trip): ~220 kms. The heart shaped journey, as seen in google map.
Bhimasankar, is one of the 12 jyotirlings, dedicated to Lord shiva. Although in map, looks very close to Mumbai, but access is via back round road, as can be seen in map. Roads in onwards journey is single lane highway, passing through Malshej ghat (zero toll). Return journey can be via Pune expressway, joining it in Talegaon (full expressway toll charge).
Bhimashankar can be easily done in 1 day from Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik. But considering it is a bit detour, one day extra needed, if clubbed with Shirdi, Trimbak trip.
The heart shaped round trip from Mumbai
Make shift parking in Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar is small village, whose economy revolves around the temple. Temple is very small and not really equipped for large crowd. Although, in Dec 2023, lot of work was going on, around temple, so hopefully things will improve in future.
There is parking facility adjacent to temple, but can get full on busy days and there’s make shift parking 2-3 kms before temple.
There are number of restaurants on highway enroute to temple.
Toilet facility, ATM facility, refreshment facility are there. Better to use toilets of one of the highway hotel.
On day of our visit, line was 2-3 kms long with 4-5 hrs time. So, we had to bribe for back door entry (Rs 1000 per person). There used to be an official Rs 500 VIP entrance, but it was stopped for obvious reasons.
Total : ~600 KMs. Toll charges; Rs 300 (Private car). Can be covered comfortably in 2 days. Typically tourists add Trimbak Jyotirling (Nashik) as well.
Miya, Biwi, Bachi aur Gaadi started on 24th Dec-2022 Morning- 7:00 AM from Palava and reached back starting point on 25-Dec-2022, 4:00 PM. Trip meter reading: 608 KMs.
Night Stay in Saphero Resorts, Shirdi.
Roads Quality: 90% road was good in quality (mostly because of after Monsoon repair that takes place) and speed of 80 KMPH can be maintained in an empty road. I am sure the quality won’t be same by the time next Monsoon hit the area. Most of road in above map routing, is two lane highway, with exceptions of Igatpuri to Palava and part of Shirdi to Sinnar.
Enroute from Palava to Shani Shangnipur. Malshej Ghat, very scenic drive
Malshej Ghat
Shani Shingnapur temple
Shani Shingnapur (not Singapore) is a popular Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shani Bhagwaan. Construction activities are going on, around the temple & so some make over is expected in few months. Important points for tourists:
a) Limited options of stay. Typically, all cover with base at Shirdi.
b) Free Parking available near temple.
c) Mobile is allowed inside temple
d) Took 30 mins for darshan. On some auspicious days, it can goes to hrs.
e) Ladies are now allowed to give offerings in inner sanctum of the temple.
f) Standard eating options available near parking.
Innovative way to attract customers. Sugarcane juice vendors en-route Shani Singnapur to Shirdi. BTW what is Mama, Shivraj Singh Chauhan (CM of MP) doing in Maharastra.
Live Shirdi market
Shirdi has become a happening place with Quality restaurants & bars as well. Gives a feeling of “Rich people pilgrimage“.
En-route from Shirdi to Sinnar
Shirdi, supposedly 2nd Richest temple in India, after Tirupati temple. We had pre-booked Rs. 200 tickets online and took around 1.5 hrs for darshan. Crowd management is much better compared to other temple complexes of India.
All types of lodging/hotel options are available around the Shirdi temple.
Shirdi has it’s own railway station and airport. Station as of now, doesn’t have anything around it, including eating options.
Typically, tourists do Triambakeswar – Shirdi-Shani Singnapur in 2-3 days, with base in Shirdi/Nashik. If more days are there, Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad, Grishneswar can also be covered. For more, follow my earlier blog:
IPL 2024 is going on and this is not about Cricket, but Political league.
All tea/coffee/breakfast/lunch/Snack/Dinner tables are filled with this conversation on “whom to vote”? “Which party is good?”
I would write from perspective of a Middle class fellow, one of the <1% tax payer, surrounded by middle class people, who hardly thinks about caste, not really religion extremists. My opinion is self made , with influences from newspaper articles/editorials. I firmly believe >90% content of social media is fake and not to be believed by face value. It’s full of propaganda. Even editorials now-a-days are full of propagandas or highly opiniated one way.
While all say Politics is dirty, which is true, but then all professions have it’s own dirt. Politics is all about toiling hard and in country like diverse/big/populated like India, it’s one of the toughest in world. And remember, 90% who curse, if enters this field, will do exactly the same thing. Afterall, in a capitalist world, everybody wants rewards/payback on their investment of time/money. Important is to define your limit: 10%, 20%, 100% or infinity.
So, personally, I am big fan of politicians, who have toil really hard, to make their mark, even those who get it is “virasat” (inheritance). Fan of Gandhiji (reason-will write a separate blog on this), Nehruji (Solely, because India didnot become a banana republic like many in Africa are today), Indiraji (Women power and first time modern India displayed spine to world), Vajpayeji-Advaniji duo (Golden Quadrilateral, Cultural awakening- brought development as serious topic in politics), Sonia Gandhi (lone foreign tigress in tiger kingdom) and finally Modi -Amit Shah duo (Sham, Dand, bhed to get tough decisions going).
Admired first and later turn into disappointment : Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerji, Chandrababu Naidu, Devendra Fadnavis. Although, all are still active and have opportunity to change my opinion again.
New kids in the town to be tried and tested are: Annamalai, Owaisi, Prashant Kishore, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Pandian (Odisha). They have impressed, but real test will be, their performance under sun (real time problem- ministry assignment).
Now with all interactions, one common Q: “How to decide” on “Whom to vote”? So, Two questions are there. On 1st, decide your own criteria. I did mine (https://omus.wordpress.com/2024/04/10/modiji-ka-report-card-2019-2024/). Criteria’s have to be as per election (Center, State, City, Panchayat). Put your criteria’s, weightage as per your taste, and score as per your objective assessment of performance. This is hardly 6 hrs job, if you are well read (un-biased way). I think 6 hrs in 5 years is not a big ask. So, prepare your own report card and score will answer “Whom to vote”?
Well, none politician/party can score in all buckets, same way, did we score 100/100 on all subjects in school, which was actually 1000 times easier job than country running? So, it’s ok. But then define your pass marks in buckets which are most critical. Now job is easy and 2nd question will get answered.
Few examples: Center needs a strong, stable leadership. We live in a Volatile, violent world, especially kind of neighbors, we have. State leadership has nothing to do with foreign affairs, but should be really hands on -good execution skills. Panchayat/City leadership is about day-today infra. How is it being maintained? Keep changing it, keep them on toes, all the times.
So, in May 2024, suppose I will vote in Odisha. I will voting differently in Center and state. In both, I will be voting for “development”. I am not really sold on caste/religion/Minimum wage agendas. I am sold on (good or bad?) statistics coming in roads, railways, airports, % execution on manifesto (current/past), security, economy. A wise, well read, could figure out, whom I will be voting in center and state.
BTW, recently (28th April’2024) in Sunday Times editorial, Chetan Bhagat, told that <10% voters actually vote on “development” basis (a minority in this case). No body is interested in stats, graphs, charts, numbers. No wonder, why rhetoric always shifts to emotions: religion/caste in campaigns. Looks like a compulsion.
Validation part:
An interesting snip from a conversation:
Me: “I have picked up development as criteria to vote”
Other guy (after number of other conversation): “Ok. sad that people will be voting on religion lines, in guide of development”.
I was thinking internally, I have got validation of decision.
IPL (Cricket)– Many cricket lovers hate, but still cannot ignore it. They tell (including me), it is all fixed, all entertainment, all rubbish/bully cricket-not a gentleman game. But still, they will see it (for entertainment), milk it (commentators/coach). At end of the day, everybody wants some entertainment, then why not in form of cricket. IPL is creating revenue, creating jobs, popularizing the sport, has become selection ground of many national teams. Virendra Sehwag, because of raining money in IPL had conviction to call Australia a poor country, when in comes to cricket.
Same way there is an audience for “Tarak Mehta…” , “Bhabhiji ghar…”, although none of it makes any sense. Reason: they are light hearted, no brainer entertainment, that can be seen with family. You hate by logic, but still love it as it touches a nerve, other’s donot.
Same way in IPL (Political league), many hate some party because of “perceived” religion/caste angle. But if it ensures socio economic growth, stability, safety, spine, then why not? If it touches the “nerve” you want , then why not.
I got my validation again via IPL (cricket). May be people can say I am in an echo chamber, then so be it. I guess, other side is also in an echo chamber, albeit, a different one.
Places of interest in Mahabaleswar, Panchgani: It is mostly view points
Best Time to visit: There are 3 shades of Mahabaleswar: (a) Peak monsoon (b) Monsoon break (c) Winter. Each has it’s own charm.
Peak monsoon (July-August): Lush green, full of waterfalls. But challenge will be driving around, low visibility. No view from view points, as all is covered with clouds.
Monsoon break (August-September-October): Lush green, temporary water fall will vanish, visibility from view points will be random, depending on cloud cover. In my opinion, this is best time to visit. Air is free of pollution.
Winter (November to February): All is dry now. Green Mahabaleswar changes to yellow. Water flow is major waterfall also drops considerably. Perfect time for long visibility from view points (although fog factor is there). Air Pollution layer will be visible.
How to reach?
Air: Nearest airport is Pune, which is well connected by Buses/Taxis.
Road: Just 50 odd kms from National highway (Mumbai-Bangalore). Well connected by buses from Pune, Satara, Kolhapur.
Train: Nearest major railway station is Satara.
For sight seeing in Mahabaleswar, local taxi or own vehicle is must. Having own vehicle, is a big advantage.
Tourist infrastructure:
There is no shortage of hotels, restaurants, that too available for all range (Rs 1000 – Rs 1 lac even/ night).
ATMs, toilet, taxi, medical, mobile network, internet – all facilities are available.
Challanges:
Roads quality will be an issue in Monsoon. Bad roads, rain & visibility will be a challenge for driving.
Traffic: Bad and narrow roads, Holiday season results in traffic jam in all view points. Be an early bird.
Taxi: Negotiate well, get to finer details with drivers like timing, parking charge, places to visit, time spend in a particular place, breaks etc.
Other points:
There are entry fee for Panchgani (must to pay as it is enroute to Mahabaleswar)
Entry fee for Mahabaleswar.
I guess, I paid Rs 250 at each place for 4 + car.
Places to cover:
Major attractions are the numerous view points. In fact, there will be fatigue developed by continuously seeing one, especially on cloudy days, when visibility is very poor and thus all will look same. However, notable ones to visit are Harrison folly (first to come when one is going from Wai side).
Kate’s point, Savitri point, Arthur Seat are beautiful points with different kind of views.
Mahabaleswar temple, Panchgani Temple, Krishna temple are important pilgrimage place of interests for Hindus, as this is the place of origin on 2nd Longest life giving river of South India- Krishna. All these temples are in same complex in old Mahabaleswar and best covered in early morning, 6-7am type. Ritual is to take water from Panchgani temple and offer in Mahabaleswar temple.
Mapro garden in Panchgani is most visited place, because of it’s strawberry garden and associated market & restaurant with it. It has free parking facility. Restaurant and market attached is worth a visit.
Day 1: Palava City –> Badlapur –> Murbad –> Malshej Ghat –> Pimpalgaon (Dam) –> Ahmednagar –> Shani Shingnapur –> Sonai –> Rahuri –> Shirdi. Total ~330 Kms.
Places of Interest: Malshej Ghat ; Pimpalgaon Dam lake ; Shani Shingnapur temple, Shirdi Sai temple.
There is MTDC resort in Pimpalgaon Dam lake, location looks very beautiful.
Drive in Malshej Ghat , which is not only dangerous, but equally beautiful.
Drive from Shani Signapur to Rahuri, one of the best drive roads, lined with characteristic Sugarcane juice shops.
Shani Shingnapur has parking, eating facility right in-front of temple. The village is connected only by road.
Shirdi, is world famous temple with tens of thousands of people visiting everyday. Trick for faster darshan is 8:00 pm Rs200 line. Temple admin has done commendable job (by Indian standards) of crowd management. Shirdi has airport, railway & bus terminal.
This time, after almost 10 years I visited Triambakeswar. It was good to see lot of positive change, for benefit of devotees. Neat AC waiting rooms with toilet, water drinking facilities, baby feeding room. Finally, I am seeing devotee oriented infra being built in temples. Although it took 3 hrs for Darshan, but we did not feel at all, that it was afternoon. Also, surprisingly it was Holi there in Trimbak, (6 days after official Holi Day), another aspect of WEIRDLY DIVERSE INDIA.
Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai -2023 Car drive. Total ~1300 Kms. Total 4 days tour.
Mumbai to Goa: Palava City –> Pen –> Nagothane–> Mahad –> Chiplun –> Ratnagiri (bypass) –> Anjuna Beach–>Panaji
So, took old Mumbai Goa highway. Lot of construction activity going on, to make it 4 lane highway. As of now zero toll, but soon, once construction is over, tolls would start. As of now (Feb 2023), 4 laning from outskirts of Ratnagiri to Goa & from Mahad to Chiplun is completed. Traffic is close to zero, and so one can drive 100 KMPH in these 4 lane concretized highways. It took me 11 hrs from Palava to Anjuna Beach (3:45 AM to 2:15 PM)
Goa to Mumbai: Vagator beach –> Banda –> Amboli –> Uttur- Tavandi (join NH4 Golden Quadrilateral) here –>Kolhapur –> Satara –> Pune –> Expressway–> Palava city (Mumbai)
1st 150 kms is 2 lane highway passing through Ghats & jungles. In Tavandi, the road joins the Golden Quadrilateral section of Bangalore -Mumbai highway. However, due to heavy traffic in highway, speed remains low and hardly one can drive >80 KMPH for more than even 10 mins. Thus, despite being 4 lane highway, it took 15 hrs from Goa to Mumbai. This is contrary to general belief, that this highway is faster than Old Goa-Mumbai highway. Also toll charges were something ~Rs500.
I am sure, once old highway job gets over, people will prefer this over Golden quadrilateral route. At least I would.
Day 1: After having Lunch in famous Lunas beach side restaurant in Anjuna beach, we explored decided to explore Panaji in evening. The well lighted Cruise ships (Deltin , Big Daddy) on Mandovi river were too attractive. But since kids were not allowed in casino & no non-veg & no liquor policy, we did not go casino. But it is must place to go, especially as group of friends. The costliest would be Rs. 4000 per person. There are cheaper options who would give experience of river cruise, but is recommended if you are doing it for first time (& want to experience) and donot keep high expectations. Explored Church (Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church), Miramar beach & Dona Paulo (Singham movie was shot here) and by late evening, retired in Fab hotel apartment room in Panaji.
Day 2: Velha Goa and Water sports in Baga beach.
Velha Goa which translates to Old goa, is home to centuries old churches. The narrow road drive along the river bank is also beautiful. The Basilica of Bom Jesus; Se cathedral, Augustine tower are notable churches to visit. Augustine tower is now a ruined church, but still looks beautiful. Near Augustime church is “Museum of Christian arts”, housed inside a Nun’s hostel, is a well curated museum costing only Rs 100. Good place to visit, if time permits. Near by, are many other small & big churches, symbol of glorious past, it had once.
Water sport in beach, is recommended, if you want to just experience. If expectations are kept low, one would enjoy. Bargain in prices will result to less time during sport. We did all water sport including parasailing. Because of weekend crowd, it took almost 4 hrs to complete all water sports. Water sports get wrapped by evening, so better be there by 1 pm latest. Near by toilet, washroom facilities are there to freshen up. After sunset, the beach seen changes completely to become a big sea beach party place, with fancy LED lights, loud music and all table-chairs out of beach shacks on to sand. Sea bath followed the water sports, followed by sunset & dinner. At end of the day, we retired in a quite resort property in Vagator beach.
Day 3; Chapora fort (DCH point) –> Parra road (the palm tree lined narrow road became famous because of Dear Zindagi movie) –> Aguada fort –> Baga beach
Parking is available in all these places.
Chapora fort became famous with Dil Chahta Movie. Fort on a small hill top have quite a movie of sea & estuary. I was visiting after 10 years & some infrastructure improvement is definitely visible in form of walking & foot steps to hill top. Many high end hotels have also come up, eating away the greenery, it had once.
Parra road, is a narrow road lined with Palm trees on both sides. It got famous with “Dear Zindagi” movie. Frankly, not sure why it should get so much popular, as I have seen much beautiful tree lined roads than this. In-fact, it gets jammed with tourists and local panchayat have started charging as well.
Aguada fort: The biggest fort in this tourist circuit, was built by Portuguese, some 400-500 years back. Do visit the light tower beside the fort (Rs 20 person). The top of light tower provide stunning views of sea and surrounding. Footsteps of fort is home to jail converted to a museum. It charges are too high & so many people donot visit it. We too didnot, because of money & time. From here dolphin sight boat rides goes. We didnot go, because of strong sun & hunger. We had yummy lunch in a good veg restaurant, few kms from Taj property.
Ended the day-3 in Baga beach again with sun set followed by good food & dance in Xavier Cafe, which among all shacks was beautiful, loud, lively with crowd. They attracted customers by bursting crackers, loud DJ music, strong red lights and 1on1 beer /cocktail offer.
Day 4: Started by 8 AM. Had a very good breakfast in Cafe Bagle , some 30 mins drive from Vagator beach on highway to Kolhapur. The drive from Goa to NH4, it via Ghats & jungle. At times construction is there, overall it is a very good drive. At 3 pm had very good Maharastrian Thali in Rau Misal house in between Karad & Umoraj, right on NH4. A must eating place, if you happen to cross it. I just kept driving and reached Palava City by 10 pm.
Overall, a very good road trip. My new car (Baleno) mileage increased by 1 km/lit, with this long drive.
Next Goa trip: South Goa and Mountainous Goa (East Goa- Dudhsagar falls etc.)
Date of travel: 25th Dec to 30th Dec 2021 (My 1st visit to MP)
Places visited: Ujjain, Indore city, Omkareshwar, Mamleshwar, Maheshwar.
Notable Place I missed: Mandav (Mandu)
Best Season: Winter (Nov-march), Late Monsoon (August-Sept)
Nos. of days needed for circuit: 4-5 days
Include Bhopal, if 7 days available.
Google Map: Ujjain, Indore, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandav
Majestic Maheshwar fort- On banks of river Narmada. Super place.
Best way to cover the circuit is to have base in Indore, which in well connected by all parts of country by Rail, road and air. It has good hotel options as well. We stayed in “Sure Stay” , a 3 star hotel and could get good deal because of Covid. Indore has all options, from budget to 5 star.
Day 1: Indore-Ujjain- Indore. It can be done in 1 day, if Ujjain temple (Mahakaleshwar) is not too crowded. For me it took 3 hrs to have Mahakal darshan, which can be considered as less time.
Day 2: Indore city : Rajwada Palace, Kanch Mandir, Lalbagh palace, Lunch in Chappan, Dinner in Sarafa Bazaar.
Day 3: Indore- Omkareshwar – Maheshwar. Either take night break in Maheshwar or return back to Indore.
Day 4: Mandu, Indore. Mandu needs at least 6-7 hrs as per local people.
Day 5: Indore : relax, shopping, Zoo, Gomatgiri, Museum.
There are more sight seeing places in and around Indore, with hills and jungles 150 kms away. But I skipped all those. I had 2 days plan for Bhopal, but cancelled at last moment. Sorry Bhopal-May be sometime else in life.
Bharat Mata Mandir- Ujjain. An attempt to instill desh bhakti in Indians.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN UJJAIN
Ujjain:
Ujjain is home to Mahakaleswar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlings and hence one of the most visited place by Hindus. The temple is famous for it’s early morning “Bhasma-aarti” (Bhasma means ashes), where Lord Shiva is prayed with Bhasma, i.e. remaining for funeral pyre. It is symbol of celebration of both life and death. Other big temple is Kal Bhairav temple, although crowd management is missing there.
Ujjain is an ancient city & origin of many Hindu concepts on Science, philosophy, astronomy, astrology , art & culture. Ujjain is a perfect example showcasing, how we Indians have lost our great roots.
How to reach: Ujjain has a Railway station and is decently (not well) connected with rest of India. Best way is to reach by Indore, which is just 70-80 kms and is well connected to Ujjain by Road (Taxi, buses).
Places to stay: Although a pilgrimage place, it has more of budget hotel options. Most are near railway station & in and around temple. We stayed in Chanakya, right in-front of station, which had clean bed & toilet in a cramped room..that’s it. If one is picky about stay options, better to opt for Indore and cover Ujjain in a day, which is very much possible.
Eating Places: Being a pilgrimage place, 24hrs eateries are available, but again all give very similar type of food. Since, I can eat anything vegetarian, for me it was not a problem. For choosy people, food options are limited. But do enjoy Poha, Fafda, chaats. Being temple town, for non-veg eating people, options are very very limited.
Places of Interest: Main attraction is Mahakaleshwar temple and there are many more ancient temples in periphery of same.
Mahakaleshwar-Ujjain
Lot of construction activity was happening (Dec 2021) in and around Mahakal temple. So, in 1-2 yrs, a good infrastructure can be expected, provided open spaces are not encroached again. Even now, crowd management was decent and without much hassle, we could have darshan of Mahakal prabhu twice, both times within 2-3 hrs.
Rest places in Ujjain can be covered in an auto rickshaw, which may charge anywhere from 500-1000 Rs. Notable other places to visit are Jantar Mantar (which provides a small glimpse of ancient Science); Sandipani ashram- ancient School where lord Krishna had his education and learnt on ~60 odd subjects ranging from science, house hold work to war to philosophy to engineering to medicine to astronomy to astrology to dance to music…you name it & that subject was there. A must place to visit, to realize, how better were ancient schools than now.
Raja Vikramaditya- Original Bahubali – Founder of Ujjain- A great ruler, who promoted science, philosophy, art & Culture. The statue is adjacent to Mahakaleshwar temple, in middle of a pond.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN UJJAIN.. All bout temples.. So Ujjain is a not place for non-believers.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA : Jai Mahakal: Mahakaleshwar Temple
Although I didnot stay here, but seemed to be a decent place to stay. Adjacent to Bharat Mata Mandir & walking distance from Mahakal temple.
14 Subjects to study. ~Sandipani Ashram near Ujjain
Sandipani Ashram- Ancient Gurukul (school/university), near Ujjain- Place where Lord Krishna learnt, proving how great place of learning it would be, in it’s golden days.
Mangalnath temple near Ujjain
Majestic & ancient lamps- The beauty that India was once. Although had seen many such in Kerela, but seeing lighted one for 1st time. The air around is so purifying & energetic. This is at least 50-60 ft. Location-Shaktipeeth Maa temple, Ujjain
INDORE:
Indore, largest city of Madhya Pradesh and Cleanest city of India based on ranking done as part of “Swach Bharat Abhiyan” (Clean India revolution). The ranking started in 2014 and Indore have won it couple of times already. Yes, by Indian standards, it does seem to cleanest city with good infrastructure, but still has long way to go to compete with Western world cities. Now, to take it from here, people have to play their role.
Indore is a typical Cosmopolitan Indian city with lot of economic activity happening in food & beverage sector, share market , textile, software and other industries. Population close to 3 million, it has decent public infrastructure (I liked the Rapid Transport bus service. Should be made mandatory in all Indian cities with more than million population), old city was clean (typical Old parts of Indian cities are neglected, because of congestion). Ola, Uber- all are available. I extensively used Ola Auto, to get around Indore city, at reasonable price.
Indore is a foody city and it will be heaven if one is vegetarian. The notable place to indulge in “Chappan” (56) and night food street in Sarafa Bazaar. Later, is strictly vegetarian and starts at 8 pm and finishes like 2-3 am in morning (normal times). Actually, Sarafa Bazaar is gold, silver market place which suddenly transforms itself into food street (Khau Gali) after 8pm everyday. Lot of experimentation on food is done and notable item to eat are Joshi Dahi Bhalla, Jaleba (Huge Jalebi), Smoking paan, Khamman, Kufis etc.
Sarafa Bazaar-Night food street-Look at the crowd, which actually is thin (as per locals) because of Covid restrictions. We were here, when 3rd Wave had just started to pick up. Thanks Shashank for being guide 😉
Places of Interest in Indore:
Main are food streets: Chappan (any time) , Sarafa Bazaar (after 8 pm)
Others: A) Rajwada Palace (home to throne of Holkar Dynasty). The dynasty which held Hindu religion flag tight in worst of times in 17th-18th century.
B) Kaanch Mandir: 100 yrs old jain temple, fully decorated by mirrors.
C) Chattri: Small, but quite & exquisite place, within noise of busy old city. Seems to be utilized by daily labourers to rest & take mid day nap.
D) Lalbagh Palace: It was closed due to covid, when we went.
E) Zoo: If children in the group, a place to visit. It has tigers, Lions, Elephants.
F) Museum: If time permits, can be visited to know something on ancient India.
G) Khajrana Ganesh Mandir
H) Gommatgiri: Jain temple & hill top view of Indore City
I) Lot of shopping options are there, if big purse to splurge.
Very vibrant , energetic, neat & clean – Chappan. Behind are all food shops.Blatant PDA (Public Display of Affection) for Modi- in Chappan (& mind you-this is not Gujarat).
OMKARESHWAR:
Another Jyotirling, some ~100 kms from Indore , right on Banks of river Narmada. A remote location, but seems to have got decent infrastructure for crowd management. It is actually on a river island and one cross the jhula to reach it. Only reachable by road, better to get your own car/taxi. Bus from Indore are there, but very limited and not very comfortable. Donot expect volvo type of buses in this route.
Omkareshwar-Mamleshwar- Bhrameswar – On river Narmada
Main attraction is temple, Jhula/foot bridge to cross the river, boating and few other ancient temples. Mamleshwar, is also treated as Jyotirling by Local people. Very devoted Pilgrimage do a Parikrama (revolution) of the temple island. I guess it is some 7-8 kms , may take 2-3 hrs and a proper pathway has been made, ensuring a safe walk-way. I would think, it will be a picturesque walk in Monsoon.
Food options are very very limited and strictly vegetarian. Staying options are also limited and mostly very budget ones. Better to cover it, with Indore as base point. In normal times, I would assume, temple can be covered in <2 hrs.
Boating in Narmada costed us 800 Rs. for <1 hr ride.
Jhula- connecting River island where Omkareshwar temple is located. Decent infra provided for Pilgrimage & crowd management
Just outside the main sanctum of Omkareshwar
OM in Omkara Style in Omkareshwar/Maheshwar (Sorry for this 😉 )
Drive from Omkareshwar to Maheshwar (65 kms)- Green, less traffic. Runs parallel to River Narmada
MAHESHWAR:
A very beautiful palace, right on banks of river Narmada, is ~70 kms from Omkareshwar and ~100 kms from Indore. It is connected by Road only and best option is to take own Taxi/Car. Buses are there from Indore, but very limited and not so comfortable as well. Few stay options were visible near the palace. A must visit place to appreciate the architecture of palace & beauty of the place. Photos below speaks it all. Many Bollywood Movies like Padman have been shot here.
Maheshwar palace- Right on banks of river Narmada. A beautiful place to become a poet.Majestic, Exquisite palace on banks of Narmada Mata- Maheshwar
Maheshwar-Place to stay-just behind the palace
From top of Maheshwar PalaceNot just views, but architecture of palace is equally eye catching- Maheshwar Palace. Just a glimpse (my photography poor skills is not doing justice to it’s beauty)
OVERALL: A good circuit (“-Shwar” circuit) to tour, especially if Jyotirling darshan is must. The whole circuit Indore-Ujjain-Omkareshwar- Maheshwar- Mandav , can be covered in 4-5 days comfortably. Indore can be base point to cover all this, preventing hassle of carrying luggage all around. With good stay options & travel in comfort, it would cost around ~Rs 30,000 (2021 prices) for a couple.
One is never far for civilization, thus problem of basic needs like Medicine, Food, ATM, transportation won’t be there in any of these places, unless one is very picky/choosy. Foody city: Indore, is a very Cosmopolitan city, well connected by Air, train & road from all parts of India and all needs of modern lifestyle available.
Hope you find this blog useful to plan your travel. Wish you joyful travel and request not to trash these beautiful places. Any Qs, drop your comments, will be glad to help out. Otherwise too, share your comments & experience. Signing out. Thanks.
For those, who donot know OLA: OLA is UBER of India, although Uber is also there in India.
And EV stands for Electric Vehicle.
Representative Image: Downloaded from Google image search. Credits to owners.
In early days of COVID lock-down, I remember reading an author being skeptical about Ola EV becoming an Unicorn (evaluated more 1 billion $), despite zero revenue (yes zero revenue, forget profits). Later around Diwali, I read OlaEV signing MoU with TN govt to set up a mega 2 wheeler EV manufacturing in Krishnagiri (I will come to Krishnagiri again) . I brushed it aside, thinking 1000s of such MoUs are signed. Being from Odisha & experience of Posco, I am no fan of signing of MoUs events.
Recently, one more article came, showing fast progress happening in Krishnagiri site. This time , I took it seriously, & realized Ola is indeed serious on this & betting very (would add another very) big on this.
So decided to document my thoughts , so that I can reflect back again in 2025.
In nutshell, I firmly believe (& my Marwari brain says so) Ola will succeed in this. I want it to succeed, not to prove my point, nor I have any equity in Ola (but will surely put, if an avenue is available), but for following reason:
1) an Indian company will do what no one is yet to do in world: “Mass” carbon free adoption in mobility sector
2) it will be good n positive step for climate change problem.
So, in this write up, I will jot down my thoughts: why Ola EV will succeed & what challenges are there?
Representative Image: Downloaded from Google image search. Credits to owners.
KRISHNAGIRI… “woh bhi kya din the…”
But 1st to Krishnagiri site, where Ola is setting up, what can be called as Giga factory for 2 wheeler EVs. If realized completely (2025 expected), mammoth 10 million 2 EVs /yr will be manufactured.
Krishnagiri, I have something personal to share with this place. A small, but beautiful town , ~100 kms from Bangalore, in Tamil Nadu. It’s on NH7 ( n part of famous Golden quadrilateral), & while driving from BLR, after District collector office, left turn at a junction, will take to Chennai (NH46) & straight will take to Salem/Madurai (NH7 continues).
From one of my travel blogs: RED square on black line is KRISHNAGIRI…Left turn goes to Chennai
Wondering, how I know so much. Reason, I have driven my bike more on BLR-Krishnagiri highway than BLR roads, during my 6 yrs stay in BLR. It was(may be is) such a beautiful & pleasant ride, that I used to simply go out for a ride, if nothing to do on a weekend. I still remember driving non stop 1 hr, without changing gear (except on one toll gate, where I changed to 3rd gear , because of hump). Old sweet memories. Not sure, how are the roads now..its been 10 yrs. I have written many praises about Krishnagiri, in my travel blogs of those days. (One of those: https://omus.wordpress.com/2011/01/23/cholaland-tour-14-16th-jan2011/)
FOCUS, FOCUS, Back to subject: So why I think , Ola EV will succeed. To answer it, I will use a criteria, which Bill Gates gave in his recently launched book “How to avoid Climate Disaster?”. He says for any new business to succeed, three things have to rise together : Policies, Technology & Market of that business.
New business to succeed: All 3 vertices should rise together- Bill Gates
So, let’s evaluate these three for Ola EV.
1st: Policy: in view of climate change & govt push towards electrification of mobility, this won’t be a show stopper. Yes, Indian regulatory & policy is always a challenge for any business- new or old, but things will work out. Govt itself is pushing for EV & thus will make sure, they themselves are not the hurdle. Also, success of Ola mobility (which had/has a political angle, involving powerful taxi unions) since 2014 & other new tech business in last 10 yrs or so, gives hope, that policy & regulatory won’t be a challenge. Innovative PLI schemes, subsidies to kick start electric eco system, fast land allotments.. all points out that for Ola EV, things are sorted out in policy front. Only thing, they should remain apolitical, i.e. keep buttering all political parties.
2nd: Market: As the saying goes, Indian consumers are always ready. Give value for money, and they will be accept ENMASS, in NO TIME. So, market is there, it’s dormant. All it needs, is a right priced value product to get active. Jio, share mobility, digital transactions etc. are classic example of last 5 yrs, where new product became market leaders in no time. So, market for Ola EV is not a problem. 2nd criteria ticked.
3rd: Technology: it comprises two aspects (a) proof of technology (b) Cost of technology. Former is again ticked, and all aspects of EV mobility is well proven. Already, EV penetration is reaching in % levels.
Second part, cost, is what remains a challenge & the reason why EV is yet to be accepted enmass. This is where the plan of Ola EV clicks & addresses the issue. They are straightaway going in a big scale, to bring in economies of scale, rather than wait for another decade for it to come. Somewhere, concept of Tata Nano, Jio , is coming here. Ola EV is bringing up with them, complete manufacturing ecosystem, so that costs can come down. As per released plan, imports will be minimal (target is 10% only, which also is slated to become zero in a decade) , thus cost will come down. If this succeeds, 3 key things will happen:
1) Mass acceptance of EV
2) India will become new tech manufacturing hub
3) Certain % of pollution & hence climate change aspect will be taken care of. FYI, “How we move around” accounts for 16% of global green house emission (Source: “How to avoid climate disaster”, by Bill Gates)
Thus, things are in right direction and all three corners of triangle, as specified by Bill Gates, are being taken care of. So, if executed as per plan, OlaEV , in fact, whole Electrical mobility will be a big business to be in.
CAN OLA DO/EXECUTE IT, SUCCESSFULLY?
So, next question, does OLA has in it, to make this plan successful. Again, short answer is YES. It has all the required masala to be execute the plan (of which time is also an important aspect). Why I said YES:
1) Capital: Ola has enough capital, plus backing to execute it. Now I realize, author criticizing OlA EV becoming unicorn, without any revenue, was wrong. Basically, investors are sold to idea & they are ready to back up with equity.
2) Technology: Ola has selected (in-fact acquired Ertego, Netherland based 2 wheeler EV company) right 2 wheeler EV model. EV bike with battery swap & >150 kms range. Battery Swapping is key word here. I still don’t understand, why other EV developers are sticking to fixed battery. 5 hrs of drive followed by hrs of charging, is so unappealing, as a consumer.
3) Infrastructure: Ola is working on this as well, with chains of outlets to swap or recharge battery. Technical solution to this is already available with ola (maps, gps etc.) So not the technical aspects, but scale is the challenge, but can be conquered with deep pockets, which Ola has.
4) Finance: This is where OlaMoney experience & platform will come handy. Zero/low interest loan, insurance etc. can be easily taken care by Ola.
5) Reach to consumer: should be cake walk for ola. Ola themselves will be a big customer, in form of Ola mobility. Plus Tying up with new age techs like Zomato, Delhivery etc. will bring in quick market. Simultaneously, individual consumer market will also come.
6) Management: last but not least WILLPOWER . I need not write on it. In just few year, word taxi has been replaced by Ola, in India.
So, all the required arrows are their in Ola quiver to execute this dream plan.
RISKS…..
So, I talked only goodie, goodie, that doesn’t mean , there are no risks. Risks are there:
a) All eggs in 1 basket: to get economies of scale, Ola EV is taking risk, by putting one mega plant. 1 political issue & doomed. But then, this risk has to be taken.
Representative Image: downloaded from Google search
b) Tata Nano fate: Nano was launched with same enthusiasm. There are too many similarities in OlaEV & Tata nano strategy, which points out that OlaEV too have certain probability to go wrong after launch & fail like Nano. Ola hopefully have learnt mistakes of Nano & definitely would cover up in their execution.
c) Politics: this is a risk for any business & continues to remain same. It can be competition politics as well (compete with Oil). There’s enough hints, ola has this covered & know how to address this risk.
d) Breakthrough technology: but nothing in visible as of now. Hydrogen vehicles will be complementing & not competing.
Thus, I see all risks are manageable for OlaEV & none should be a show stopper.
After evaluating & debating with myself, I conclude OlaEV should be able to execute this plan. A bike costing <1 lac Rs (100,000 INR) & >150 kms/charge + anywhere-anytime battery swapping facility, is sure shot recipe of success. And seeing it’s overall impact, we should all wish, they succeed in this.
After execution, what will OlaEv in totality look like or what they will offer:
1) EV Bike : of-course variety of models. Example: with or without battery swap option. I will always go with later.
2) Infrastructure: Battery swapping & charging outlets, through out the country.
3) EV fleet & mgmt: to bulk users like Swiggy, Courier companies etc.
4) Finance: Zero or low interest loan for buyers. Insurance, maintenance & buy back schemes.
5) Dealership & Company own outlets: selling & servicing. Anytime & anywhere breakdown assistance.
6) R&D for improvement & also carrying this success into new products like Cars etc.
7) Renewable sector: to ensure Carbon free electricity to OlaEV, Ola may enter in this sector.
ELECTRIC BIKE vs TRADITIONAL BIKE…
Next Q that comes, can a EV bike still compete with traditional bikes. Short answer YES. It will replace traditional bike, thus few of the existing 2 wheeler companies can have their KODAK moment by 2025. Below comparison table , explains the reason.
My assessment: of EV 2 wheeler vs current 2 wheeler
More Entrepreneurs…
Ok. All good. What else? It will give rise to new entrepreneurs , i.e. scope of new business in :
A) manufacturing EV parts/ accessories
B) Dealership / garages
C) retail Shops for parts n accessories
D) software solution providers
E) battery swapping n charging outlets
F) finance.
Any takers for these new businesses? You can count me in 😉
Concluding: OlaEV has it all & can do to EV mobility sector, what Jio did to telecom sector. So, Best of luck Bhavish Agarwal & I will pray for your success. In your success, is our success as an Indian citizen, as well as a global (Earth) citizen.
As I start to write this blog, China is returning to Normal, after battling for months with Corona Virus, while the whole world is still struggling to cope with this yet un-treatable disease. As I am tapping my fingers on the keypad, thoughts are flooding my mind and want to flow out from my fingers to the keypad & to this blog. This event of 2020, will go down in history books as a turning point, a point: as big as world wars of 20th century. When the experts were expecting cyber war as WW-III, it came out from an unexpected corner of Biological-war.
How will India cope with this? As I am writing, India is set to register it’s 1000th Corona Virus case. There is complete lock-down, no trains, no buses, no private vehicles on road. And as of now, this seems to be only handle to cope & fight Corona Virus. Govt is buying time through lock-down and delaying the volcanic eruption. The preparedness done by govt in this time will be tested in months of April & May. God knows what’s in store for India and tough time are ahead.
What will happen if USA/Europe type situation hits India? As I write, USA Corona Virus cases has sky-rocketed from 50,000 to 130,000 in just 4 days. And Europe seems to have given up, as Corona Positive cases and death cases are rising exponentially. And if USA, Europe type situation arises in India, then god save humanity. The scale of death will be something world has not seen since Partition of India in 1947. Forget 5 trillion economy, India will be set back by at least a decade, may be back to 1 trillion economy. I pray, nothing of that happens. Time to resort to Ramayan and Mahabharat.
Why mass migration is happening from Delhi only. Why not from other mega metros like Mumbai, Surat, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai? As I write, lacs are leaving NCR (National Capital Region) and heading to their home town in UP/Bihar, by WALK. Yes, walk-100s of KMs. And as usual, politics first pour in such situation rather than humanitarian help. This can be India’s achilles’ heel in preparation & effort to contain Coroba Virus.
As I write, major thoughts that is coming, Is world going to change post Corona Virus?And thumping answer is YES. Yes, in a big way.
I predict: China will replace USA, as the big-bully boy of the world. May be USA/Europe together will try to fight out China. May be countries around world will sue China for starting & pushing this disease across the world. May be govt across world will question the credibility of global institutions like UN, WHO etc. But all these will go in vain, exactly the same way, nothing could not be done against USA in last 4-5 decades. So, China will call all the shots, hence forth.
I predict: whole world (except China) will go into recession. And this recession will be bigger than the last seen in 2009. As I write, consumption cycle has already been broken & it’s just a start. Even if Corona Virus is defeated say by May 2020 (being very optimistic), it’s after-impact on consumption cycle is going to stay for at least a year and all this translates to lower economic growth, in a capitalist world.
I predict: A big disruption will happen in all the sectors of the economy. Whether it’s tourism, or hospitality or construction or healthcare or govt spending on military etc, all will see both positive and negative disruptions. More on this, down the blog.
Govt across world has to now protect themselves against not only military aggression, but also in fronts like cyber-war, Bio-terrorism & Global warming. Till date military tags (& sacrifice) were given only to Army, Navy & air-force. But this honor will be extended to people in Cyber-warfare, Doctors/nurses/researchers working in field of healthcare & medicine, climate activists, conservatives etc. A big chunk of investment will finally see a shift from military to these fields.
A big boost to artificial intelligence, big data, robots will be there. Although this is already happening, but these sectors will see now more accelerated rise in terms of acceptance, adoption and implementation in real world. Expecting robots taking over the traditional human help present in shops, restaurants, hotels etc. The traditional form of military (human beings) in army, navy & air-force will be taken over by robots (the jobs of driver, sailors & pilots will be taken over by AI/Robots/drones etc.).
There is a debate going on : Whether to have a complete Lock down or not. India, has resorted to complete lock-down, where as USA has resorted to limited lock-down. Lock-down results in complete shut down of economic activity and thus a big set back to math of GDP. But, in my opinion India has done good by resorting to complete lock-down (in fact: feel, it was bit late, may be by a week). Many people, media houses, seem to opposing complete country lock-down, but I believe: “Economy is because of people and not the other-way round. You can revive a dead economy, but not dead people”. Thus, unlike USA, India has taken good, yet tough decision of going for complete shut-down, with on-set of Corona Virus.
Closer home, till date (29th March 2020), things that are working in India’s favor):
India is currently being headed by a Pied Piper. And whatever he says, a good % of population follows. And that’s the reason behind, that he is able to take some tough decision like complete lock-down.
Lock-down decision, when Corona Virus was in Stage-II, seems to be helping India, by delaying the onset of community transfer stage of stage -III and giving much needed precious time to govt machinery for preparedness.
Shut-down of public transport like trains, buses. 1st time in India’s rail history of >150 years, not a single passenger train in running across country. Even, during massacre of 1947 division, trains were running. This shows the seriousness of problem & it’s demand for an unusual & extra-ordinary step that needs to be taken.
What’s not in favor of India?
Population. 135 crore in numbers. But bigger problem than number is 135 crore opinions to deal with Corona Virus.
Politics. The vulnerable section has been turned into a passing pillow, with one state transferring to other state, to keep their numbers/tension/liability down.
People. The certain % population’s callous attitude like not obeying rules & orders, not obeying hygiene & etiquette, will be big threat to whole country and can spread the Corona Virus like a wild fire.
POST CORONA VIRUS
Scenario: If India escapes the wrath of Corona Virus, which USA, Europe, China faced, who takes the credit?
I bet a big politics will be played on it. Govt will take all the credit for it’s decision making on Lock-down and handling of overall situation, where as the some section of Lutyen’s media and Buddhijivi, will site numerals technical papers & give credit to high temperature of summer, going in favor of India. I feel, if India is lucky to escape: a big % credit will go to Govt decision on lock-down, a certain % to Indian resistance to poor environment (sad but true, we are used to live in one) & may be small % to high temperatures.
Scenario: How will world interact with China, post Corona Virus?
Immediate most countries will be in recession and occupied so much in that, nothing much they can do.
Post that, some countries will file cases against China, in their respective countries & International court of justice. But respective countries court cannot hold China responsible, for obvious reason of jurisdiction. In ICJ, China will have such a hold, that outcome will be NIL.
Few countries may severe economic ties with China, but it may prove to be slow poison of their own economy itself, unless they compensate it, with ties with countries like India etc.
A good number of countries will restrict their ties with China to limited extent, may ban Chinese tourist.
Many countries will officially name the Corona Virus to Chinese Virus or Wuhan Virus.
At home, a good % Indians will boycott Chinese goods, which will give boost to domestic industry, few big corporations (looking for alternative to China) will opt for India as alternative manufacturing center. Thus, in 2-3 years, after battling recession, I feel India Economy should boom big way.
Nevertheless, after all this world politics will be changed. China would replace USA as world’s (Immoral) Police. China will take over USA, in calling shots in world institutes like UN, WHO, IMF etc.
And if India gets tough, decisive , non-corrupt & positive leadership, it can get the tag as alternative to China and can become No.2 and get Permanent seat in UN Security council.
Disruptions we will be seeing or get acceleration, due to Corona Virus:
Medical research will be treated in par with Military research and thus govt spending in the sector will increase. Also People working in the sector will be treated in par with military.
Physical Distancing Industry: Post Corona Virus, a new concept of “physical distancing” will gain importance, resulting in greater adoption of Robots etc. in field of Hospitality Industry (hotels/ restaurants), hotels, shops, Malls, Super market. Robots will take a big way. Already, happening shift of “offline” to “online” will get a big boost and e-commerce industry, driver-less vehicle industry will see greater acceptance & adoption. All This will result in mass unemployment.
The physical distancing industry will be coined and grow the way “Uber” concept grew. Uber concept was about connecting: “provider and receiver” directly. The physical distancing industry will take the concept a step ahead, connecting provider & receiver directly, but not physically.
Tourism industry will be shock for at least 2 years. People will refrain from travel, with the concept of “physical distancing”. All resulting in un-employment.
War-fare industry: Even existing forms of military: Army, Navy & Air force will see a big shift towards adoption of AI, robots, drones. Overall, resulting in lesser absorption of human beings within it’s fold.
Communication: Work from home acceptance across sectors will increase & adopted. Online conference, education, classes, counselling, will see more audience.
Employment Shift: Although this phenomena is already happening and it’s origin cannot be attributed to Corona Virus, but the the shift be accelerated because of Corona Virus. Employment will shift up the chain, i.e. to field which demand more skills & education. Employmentwill move from “offline” to “Online”, will move from “field” to “desktop”, will move from “physically demanding” to “mentally demanding”.
UBI: Mass unemployment across various sectors will result in govt passing laws like Universal Basic Income. And govt like Indian, have realized the importance of UBI, in scenarios like Corona Virus.
On Global Warming: Lot of data will be out, showing positive impact on environment post lock-down. These data will encourage many countries across world to force lock-downs couple of times in a year.
Mass surveillance (& Technology): Till date, China is the only country which does mass surveillance and this technology has helped countries like China, South Korea, Taiwan to reign in Corona Virus. This will make many countries to re-think on their take on mass surveillance, and many will finally adapt these technologies to handle these war kind of scenarios.
In world politics: disruption will be China replacing USA as the DON. India will gain in long term (beyond 3yrs).
The saying goes “KUTCH Nahin dekha, to KUCH nahin dekha”. The English translation is: If you have not seen Kutch, you have not seen anything. And it’s very much TRUE.
The area is indeed a unique geography & add over it, the masala of colorful culture. The presence of military to guard one of the most tensed & harsh international borders of the world, gives it a bigger ah! & Oooh! Factor. Also, it is one of few successful govt. sponsored & developed tourism site. I guess one of the many factors, people voted Mr. Narendra Modi so many times, despite all the criticism of his policies & decisions.
Rann of Kutch Geography:
Western part of India, in state of Gujarat.
It’s hot, marshy & salty land spread over 1000s of Sq.km.
Winters (November- February) are best time to visit it.
In Summers, it can be “Valley of Death”.
The Kutch Tour map: ~1500 Kms done over 4 days. Red circles/marks showing places of Interest.
The Ooommph factor:
Vast (Infinite) salty & muddy plains, with patches of thorny shrub in name of greenery.
Trees are hard to find in 100 of KMs of drive and thus natural shade is missing.
Fittingly called White desert. White because of precipitated salt.
Rann Utsav, held in months of November to Feb, is a colorful cultural extravagance.
Food, Cloth, Mud houses for stay & remains of 2000 yrs old Harappa civilization.
Many Bollywood movies have been shot in this region. Lagaan, Refugee, Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam, to name few.
Places to visit:
Mandvi: A sleepy beach town on coast, which can be skipped, if on a short tour (< 3 days)
Vijay Vilas palace: Palace of erst while king, now turned into small museum. Lagaan movie was shot here. Entry fee, parking fee etc. applicable
Godhara Ambedham: Neat & Clean temple with free lunch.
Shyamji verma Memorial: An European styled house, in middle of no-where, belonging to a freedom fighter.
Vijay Vilas Palace, where block buster Bollywood movie Lagaan was Shot
Narayan Sarovar & Lakhpat:
Again, because of distance, these two places should be done, only if tour is >3 days in this area.
~150 kms from Bhuj/Mandavi. Narayan Sarovar is the extreme most West point of India.
Narayan Sarovar is a temple village right on the coast. Has beautiful sight of coast. Got basic facilities of parking, toilets & snacking.
Lakhpat is a huge (village) fort on shores of sea, which gets dried in winter leaving vast stretches of white sand (i.e. salty sand). Got some excellent view of white desert. For us, the excitement & wow! Factor was more, as we saw White desert for the first time.
Pic @ Narayan Sarovar
Lakhpat fort – White desert in background – Refugee Movie was shot here
Mata No Madh:
Temple town dedicated to Ashapura Mata.
Neat & clean temple premises and the town has got basic facility of food, lodging etc.
Mata No Madh- Ashapura Mata Temple
Rann Utsav:
A 2 days must stay tent city town which gets raised in Winter months, welcoming lakhs of domestic & international visitors.
A huge shopping area, local folk dance & performances, camel rides, great view point, hot air balloon ride, variety of food.
Main attraction is “Salt molecule” shaped structure, to view vast white sand desert or as they say “WHITE RANN”. It is the best point to see Sun set, moon rise & moon light lighting up the white sand.
One can also opt from hundreds of mud houses to stay, around the main Rann Utsav.
Rann Rajvi- Hut home stay in Kutch/ Rann of Kutch / White desert
In Rann Utsav
India Bridge & Vighakot fort (India-Pakistan Border):
Till India Bridge, one can drive. But to go beyond, permit is needed which is available only in Army base of Bhuj.
Drive beyond India Bridge is through middle of vast salty plains, with not a single shade of tree available. The only human being available after this, are rough n tough Indian army men. Road is very narrow & only one vehicle can pass at a time.
Also, mobiles, cameras etc. have to be submitted to army men at India bridge.
Army men do give a small brief at Vighakot & Pakistan posts are clearly visible from here.
Kalo Dungar:
The place is highest in Kutch and thus offer stunning view of Kutch & white desert.
Famous as Sun set & sun rise viewpoint.
Tropic of Cancer:
Tropic of cancer run across the highway drive from Rann of Kutch to Bhuj.
A signboard (pin available in google map) shows same.
Bhuj:
Biggest city of Kutch and is well connected by Train from various cities of India
It has got an airport, but only flight is to/fro Mumbai.
Main attractions: Aina Mahal & Prag Mahal (seemed like Pilot version of CST terminus of Mumbai), Bhujia fort atop hills, Vande Mataram Museum, Swami Narayan temple, Lake.
If in Bhuj: Prag Mahal, Bhujia fort & Vande Mataram are must visit & can be covered in 1 day. Others can be done, if time permits.
In n around Vande Mataram Museum, is handi-craft village, from where at least memento can be bought for Kutch memory.
Drive from Bachau to Morbi:
This road is what connects Kutch with rest of country. A very picturesque road, but equally busy. It has got good dhabas/restaurants like Honest etc.
Sea has entered land here, thus a small parcel has it all: roads, rail, power transmission tower, wind mills.
Others:
Kandla, Gandhidham are other two big port cities in the region.
Most truck traffic on highway is because of these two ports.
Adani port is now largest port of India, in terms of tonnage of cargo handling.
Other: Dholavira:
It is the other (east) side of Kutch and would be need a day on its own.
It used to be a port city when Rann was actual Sea during Harappa civilization.
The archelogy remains, and museum is reminder of same.
It is supposed to give same feeling as Rann of Kutch, albeit with less crowd & extravagance.
Beware of:
Weather: It can get very hot in summer. Donot attempt to venture into plains without proper help/guidance. Nights in winter can go very cold (feels like temp of 5-10 degC kind of range).
Vehicle malfunction: Certain roads are in No man’s land. Vehicle technical help will be very limited in certain highways/roads. Better be prepared/trained. We had the experience of puncture in middle of white desert. Kindly driver had the tools & skills to amend same.
Special dietary requirements: After & beyond Bhuj, very limited options of food will be available. Better be prepared, if you are very choosy.
Donot dis-obey army rules. This is a border area
Our Trip:
5 families: 17 homo sapiens including the children
Mode of transport: Force tempo traveler
Total Distance covered: ~1500 Kms
23:30 hrs of 10th Jan to 22:00 hrs of 14th Jan 2020 (~4 days)
Day 1: Reliance green -> Dhrol -> Morbi -> Bhachau -> Bhuj -> Mandavi (Sight-seeing)
Day 2: Mandavi -> Narayan Sarovar -> Lakhpat fort -> Mata No Madh -> Gorewali (Rann Utsav)
Day 3: Rann Utsav -> Khavda -> India Bridge -> Vighakot (India _pakistan border) -> India Bridge -> Khavda -> Rann Utsav
Day 4: Rann Utsav -> Tropic of cancer point -> Bhuj (sight-seeing) -> Bhachau -> Morbi -> Dhrol -> Home
Cost: Rs ~25000-30000 per family
Stay in Mandavi @ Radhe Motel. A decent hotel, providing neat toilets & bedsheets.
Stay in Rann: @ Rajvi home stays. Very good huts like neat bedsheets & toilet, providing home cooked kutcha food. Has got facility of bon-fire, music etc.
1) Stop for good and natural ice cream & juices (2) Our African descendant driver, who does good African dance (2) Hut stays in Rann/Kutch
First leg of the trip: Tiger Point (some also called Lion point, depending upon one’s fav king of the jungle).
Tiger point, is some 10 kms from Lonavala towards Amby valley. Lonavala to Amby valley is very good drive, as one pass through dam, INS Shivaji, tiger point , few more view points & then to Amby valley. This being one of the favorite spots of all Mumbaikars & Punekars, much is written on this & so I would skip it.
Parking fees: No; Toilet availability: No; Swachh Bharat Score: 5/10 (My fellow youngsters are too busy in taking selfies, to take care of their trash). Only light snacks stalls available. Nearest lodging/restaurant eating option is Lonavala.
KAAS PLATEAU, SATARA, MAHARASTRA
Right on Kaas plateau, Behind the railings, flowers grow during the season
On Way to Kaas from Satara
On Way to Kaas from Satara
Kaas plateau, also called Kaas Pathar in local language, is situated some 25 kms uphills from Satara town. As tourist place, it is famous as “Valley of flowers”, as wild variety of colorful flower grow here after monsoons, but it is for just few weeks. Thus, recommended time to visit is August, September. Nevertheless, in my opinion the place is also best visited in Winter, if one wants a very secluded place, a place to camp outdoors, a place for star gazing, a place to breakout from crowd, a place just to THINK.
Lodging options: There are few options on way from Satara to Kaas plateau, which are mostly private homes converted to lodging options. The nearest one to Kaas plateau is Kaas holiday. In winters, if you have a tent, best is to camp outdoors at Kasbe Bamnoli, on banks of river Koyna.
Eating options: The lodging facility only have eating options. Else there are none.
Kaas Plateau: The flowering area measuring few acres, comes under forest department & during season, vehicle movement is restricted between 7AM to 7PM.
Few important links to check before planning to go during flowering season:
The place is some 15 kms from Kaas plateau and drive meanders through a forest and is very sexy drive. On way is Kas lake, which has got eating outlets. One can camp on shores of the lake.
Kas lake, on way from Kaas plateau to Kasbe Bamnoli
Kasbe bamnoli, sits on dams on Koyna river and has boating, camping & eating options. It is an ideal place for a new year party or a team/family picnic.
Kasbe Bamnoli
Bike right on Koyna River
KASBE BAMNOLI VIEW FROM SURROUNDING HILL TOP
SUMMARY:
Total Distance covered: ~700 kms
Total driving time: ~6-7 hrs, one way
Roads are good by Indian standards. Mumbai to Satara is part of 6 lane golden Quadrilateral.
In my opinion, Kaas plateau is better option than near by Mahabaleswar, may be because I love less crowded & thus a more clean place.
Although tourist season for Kaas is Aug-sept, it is equally good in Winters.
PLEASE be a explorative tourist, not an exploitative tourist. Use dustbins.
a) Porbandar: Birthplace of greatest personality of modern times, Mahatma Gandhiji
b) Somnath: One of the 12 Jyotirling temple of Lord Shiva, which have risen from ashes, not once, not twice, but more than 5 times.
c) Beautiful beach of Madhavpur
d) City of Junagad, famous for Girnar temple & ancient buildings, standing testimony of it’s glorious history, it had.
e) The region has given people like Dhirubhai Ambani, Mahatma Gandhi are proof of it’s glorious history. Seeing architecture of villages & towns, one could easily make-out, the rich times the region enjoyed, because of maritime trade & commerce & it’s entrepreneurial people.
We started from Reliance Greens around 6:30 AM and with no stops, reached Porbander by 8:15 AM. Luckily, the Gandhiji’s ancestral home & birth place, had opened. With no traffic, we could criss-cross thin strip roads pretty fast. From the roads & architecture of houses, shops, one could easily make out the town being many many centuries old. Gandhiji’s house is really a big one with some 22 odd rooms & a courtyard, which could beat any average playground size, Indians play cricket in. The house was purchased apparently by Gandhiji great grandfather in 1777 (actual copy of the deal is there in the photo gallery) & seem to be in what would be a posh locality of that time, as it is looked kind of a gated community. The house is now a museum with well maintained photo gallery, celebrating Gandhiji’s life & his contribution to India’s (& Pakistan’s) independence. Besides being Gandhiji’s birthplace, Porbander is also famous of its port, salt works & last but not least, “Nirma factory”, the detergent with fame of “sabki pasand Nirma”. We visited Sudama temple nearby, savored on breakfast of fafra jalebi, puri bhaji, patra and ultra-sweet gujju tea. By 9:00 AM, we were on our way to Somnath, driving parallel to coast along NH-8E.
We had to take de-tour before Madhavpur, because a section of a brand new bridge over a river, had collapsed (obviously shoddy work by contractor). Soon, we reached beautiful & secluded beach of Madhavpur. Again, with few Indians visiting the beach, it was very neat & clean.
After loffering around 20 mins in beach, we started for Somnath. Now, the countryside resembled like my native place (Coastal Odisha), plain stretches with lots of coconut trees. We zipped through Mangrol, Chorvad. Both towns, seemed to be centuries old & later is the birthplace of India’s no.1 entrepreneur , Dhirubhai Ambani.
By 11:45, we were in Somnath. The final section of ~20 Kms, is section of NH 8D (Somnath-Junagad) & is a super 4 lane toll highway. I could make out super infrastructure development that has happened. The walkways, parking, roads etc. were all brand new. Unexpectedly, the place was relatively neat & clean & well maintained. Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirling’s of Lord Shiva & thus has been an important pilgrimage for Hindus, for time immemorial.
Somnath, the magnificent & ancient temple, is a shining example of superiority of perseverance over destruction. The temple, has been “man” destroyed at least 6 times in past 1000 years & each time, it has risen like “phoenix” from ashes. Personally, I feel, this temple is an example of what Hinduism is. It’s about believe in your faith, what-so-ever, believe in peace and “mind your own business” attitude. Examples like Somnath proves that Hinduism is not exactly a religion..it is a way of living. Every time, I read history of temples like Somnath, Konark, only one question come to my mind :”How can one think also about destroying such a beauty?”, but fact is: man has not only thought but destroyed as well these places, not once but more than that.
Coming back, with such history of destruction, obviously the security of Somnath is very tight. Belt, mobile, bags etc. are not allowed and free locker facilities are available. Ample parking spaces, shoe stands, toilets, eateries, ATM & all other basic amenities are available, all near the temple. Temple has three aarti timings (morning, afternoon & evening). Luckily, we reached at 12:00 and were blessed to see the aarti. Weather was perfect, crowd was thin, temple was neat & clean & aarti darshan, all made it very a very memorable & blessed visit.
Temple also hosts an “light & sound” show in evening, in an open air amphitheater, with one end being sea and other Temple. Elaborate arrangements of seating are made in & around temple, to enjoy temple, sea & sun-set. There’s also an Arrow-pillar, which signifies that there is no land mass in the direction of arrow (& actually the next land mass that comes in the direction of arrow is, Antartica). There are few other small temples & a gallery showing 12 Jyotirling’s of Lord Shiva. What was really missing, was the exhibition to celebrate (& mourn as well) the history of the temple. I was expecting it to be there & to my utter dis-appointment, there was nothing. Only thing, I could see was a (poor) photo gallery, with excavation photos, which was done in 1940-60s. Dear govt, this photo gallery is not a museum, please create an exclusive one, the temple’s glorious history deserves one.
After enjoying temple & sea, and clicking some photos for fb/blog, we filled out stomach in a near by Punjabi restaurant. By 2:30PM, we started by first leg of return journey. This time we took NH-8D, newly completed 4 lane toll highway. The road was super, we reached Junagad by 3:30PM.
Junagad was a princely state before Independence and was of the two kingdoms (other being Hyderabad), whose kings wanted to be part of Pakistan. I am sure, now they would be glad, that they are not part of Pakistan. Junagad is famous for Girnar temple, a hill top temple, having a following among Hindus & Muslims of the region & across the country. The temple is accessible only by foot steps and many people also do parikrama (walk along the circumference of the hill), which measures something like ~40 kms. Junagad, also is the launch pad to visit world famous & only Asiatic Lion sanctuary, “Gir forest”, some 100 kms away.
We did neither of above, because of lack of time. Rather we took a guided tour (& guide was drunk, surprisingly in a dry state) of Junagad palace, which turn out to be pretty boring to me & my friend as well. If not Gir forest, at least visit zoo. So we visited Junagad zoo, again turned out to be very boring. By 6:00 PM, we were done with all this and decided to return. On way out of Junagad, we saw number of ancient buildings, which were now converted to schools, colleges, hospitals, govt offices and grand mosques, all telling it’s glorious history of being an independent state.
“Coconut water gives you power”
We took highway 927D, a 2 lane smooth road & via Kalvad reached Reliance Greens by 8:00PM. A day-off well spent with darshan of Gandhiji’s birthplace & Somnath temple.
Wish readers, a happy, safe & litter free travelling.
Beautiful beach of Madhi (also called Bechtel beach))
Teerth sthal (holy city) of Dwarka
Nageswar (supposedly a Jyotirling) & Gopi kund.
Okha (one of the western most tip of India) & last/1st railway station
Expansive salt lakes throughout the journey. Most amazing one seemed to be “Charkala” salt works on highway 947
Island of Beyt Dwarka
The region is heaven for Ornithologist, with some unique birds, which I have not seen in other parts of India.
Debate over lost city of “Dwarka” also makes it interesting place for archaeologist & historians.
Good quality roads, little traffic, wind mills, occasional salt lakes, coastline etc. on a winter day, is a perfect recipe of a pleasant drive.
Cautions:
Fuel stations, both for vehicle & stomach are very few.
Choosy foody people may suffer. In whole route, Dwarka is only place with certain options. Otherwise, it’s only “khakra & jalebi”.
It was my, what 20-odd trip to Jamnagar & I had hardly explored the region. This time I was on 2 weeks trip & so decided, will see all the places around. I borrowed Honda Unicorn from my friend (thanks Prakash R) & set on to Dwarka on a perfect wintery Sunday morning, around 7AM, alone. The 4 lane highway near Reliance mega refinery, gives way to 2 lane highway immediately after Essar refinery. But still quality of drive remains more or less same, as road was good & traffic, less. I filled bike tank with petrol & my tank with breakfast of fafra & jalebi. The NH-29 to Karunga is a bit boring drive, with dry arid region & scrub vegetation, with occasional wind mills.But right turn towards Dwarka near Karunga & suddenly view changes. Now, I was on NH 8E/6, which connects Dwarka & Porbander (birthplace of Mahatma Gandhiji). Few miles away from the right turn in Madhi beach. On one side of the road is beach & other side, huge salt lake, which makes a perfect place to stop & capture some photographs for memory & facebook. The beach also got a small, turtle egg laying place. Good part is, since there is no eating place, it looks like hardly any Indian visit here & so the place is very neat & clean. Interestingly, it is tagged as Bechtel beach in google map, which shows the no. of visitors Reliance gives to this place (Bechtel is Oil & gas DEC behemoth & is DEC contractor for Reliance Jamnagar refineries).The few benches on the beach (this is best thing I like in Gujarat…they have benches for seating, everywhere) makes a perfect chilaxing point. Although I wanted to stay for some more time, but the thought of reaching Dwarka before temple closing time, I started from Madhi beach with a resolution that, I will come back again here for a night camping. Madhi to Dwarka is ~25 kms highway running parallel to the coast. Few pics of beautiful Madhi beach:
So by 9:30 AM, I was in Dwaarkadheesh temple. After getting the darshan of lord around 10:15 AM (to my surprise, it was not crowded at all), I started exploring the place around the temple. Mobile phones, bags etc are not allowed inside the temple. The walkway to temple, seems to have been developed by Ambani family. The tiled walkway has got some 100 odd paintings depicting life of Lord Shree Krishna. Some decent infrastructure is provided around the temple, but as usual like any other Indian religious place, the place is bit dirty. There are again benches in Promenade behind the temple, a perfect place to see sunset. There are many more ancient temples, a hanging bridge over the (shallow) Gomti river, as it flows into the sea. But I was not that interested. So, after a stay of ~1hr, I started my drive towards Nageshwar. Here are few pics of Dwarkadheesh temple.
BTW, I did my research on Old Dwarka city (after returning from journey). I am convinced, that a great city (not the way it is not shown in some mythological serials. The serial is an artist depiction.) did exist 10,000 yrs ago & got swallowed by sea. It’s pity that our own govt has stopped exploration of our great history.
Back to travelogue, I started by 11:00 towards Nageswar temple, ~18 KMs ride from Dwarka. Some people, across India, believe it is a Jyotirling, one of 12 holiest places of lord Shiv. Nevertheless, I visited more as a tourist than a religious person. Luckily, even this place was not crowded and within few mins, I got darshan of Lord shiv’s jyotirling (It was inside a glass enclosure). The temple also had a big statue of lord Shiva. After savouring on coconut water, I started towards Gopi kund, where supposedly Lord Krishna took bath along with Gopis. Against my expectation, it was a very small (Indian) pond.
Nageswar temple
From Gopi Kund, I started towards Okha, with a resolution to reach one of the westernmost tip of India. The road seemed to be polluted with salt & also could be seen was Tata chemical factory of Mithapur. On way, also comes Arambhada, which it seems has a ship breaking & recyling industry.
Finally I reached Okha, the place I had heard all these years in train name “Puri-Okha express”. As I was in Okha railway station, I realized I was like ~2000 kms away from my hometown & ~50 hrs away, if I travel in Okha-Puri express. Okha, is the western most railway station on Broad gauge line & is connected by rest of India with number of long distance pilgrimage express.Both road & rail line terminates in Okha port, which also is gateway to island of “Beyt Dwarka”. Because of lack of time, I decided not to visit Beyt Dwarka. After few clicks of Western most tip of India, I started my return journey.
On return journey, I had my lunch in Dwarka and took highway 947 via Charkala , to reach Khambaliya. From maps, I always knew that this road is far from coast, but was surprised the moment I reached Charkala salt works. The salt lakes were like sea. There was no end to water, as far as I can see. Later, I figured out, actually they had channeled sea inside landmass, resulting in massive salt lakes. Those were last clicks of my day long tour & I reached Reliance guesthouse by 5:30PM.
It was good day long bike trip after almost a year. Now out of 4 teerth dham, I have visited 3 , with only “North Dham” Badrinath remaining. Interestingly, I have done all 3 in bike, hope to do 4th one in bike as well. JAI SHREE DWARKADHEESH. JAI SHREE KRISHNA.
The above photo very much define the majority of taste of vacation in Goa. Although it is much more than that.
This was my 3rd trip to Goa, but my first blog on it. Although this blog will just another drop in travel blogs on Goa, but will try to pour in my all three travel experiences, to make it as comprehensive & detail, to help future visitors to Goa.
The first one was with my office team, with base at Varca Beach resort. If you have money, this is one of the best bets to stay in. Second trip base was in Dona Paulo, heart of Goa government, thus very neat & clean by Indian standards. Stayed there in IOCL guest house, “just awesome”: two wors to describe it. Third trip base was in Calangute beach, one of the busiest beach of Goa.
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