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.)
My previous Goa blog links:
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