Ratnagiri - Mahabaleshwar - Pune Day 3

Day 3 - 31-March-2009

Next morning got up early and went straight to the beach. It was just wonderful to be there , Looking at Abrebian Sea; I can Simply admire the nature. Though it was cold, the fresh breeze was enough to nail me at the beach. Really!!! What A beautiful morning it was!!! It was cool, Fogy and Cloudy, and just the right amount of breeze!!!
There’s an answer; In the sound of a breeze,
There is wisdom Past; the bridge on the bay,
There’s a lifetime ;Through the fog,
In the Sea; There’s a beauty
And sweet smell of mother nature
In Raiding away...

It has been while since, I was out so early!!! I was on my way towards Ganpatipule, my first pit stop for the day!!!! Well I leave the pictures to do the talking!!!!!

Vergin Beach On the way To Ganpatipule
Another one!!!
While Moving towards Ganapatipule, I took little more time to enjoy the scenic views on my way as I had lot of time in my hand... No Worries... I was enjoying marvelous views all around. The road to Ganapatipule from Ratnagiri; Is scenic and the best time to be driving on this stretch is in the early morning when the sun comes up in the horizon or during the sunset.

What A Road to Riade!!!!!

Little Mangroves!!!!

Ganapatipule is an ancient pilgrim center, located about 40kms from Ratnagiri . This beautiful sea town is rich in history. There is also a mysterious Swayambhoo (a naturally formed idol) of Ganapati in a temple at Ratnagiri. This small and sacred village is uninfluenced by commercialism. The 6 kms long virgin beach on the exotic Konkan coastline adds to the scenic beauty of the village. Ganapatipule is one of the `Ashta Ganapatis' (eight Ganpatis) of India and is called the "Paschim Dwar-Dewata" (Western Sentinel God).

Ganapatipule Temple!!!

I don’t know but people here believe that Ganapatipule is one of the Ashta Ganapatis (eight Ganapatis) of India and called the Paschim Dwar-Dewata which means the Western Sentinel God. The temple is nearly 400 years old and the idol is believed to be Swayambhu; a naturally or self formed idol.

Ganapatipule is still in its nascent stage whose immense beauty is enhanced enormously by six km long virgin beach.

There is lot of fun in being child again!!! Isn't it?
Ganpatipule is a small village with many beach's and one temple on its list of attractions. The place is strictly for them who love the sound of silence and want to experience the genuine rural konkan life.” Wow!!! What a Place!!!! How about a horse ride?
Is was such a beautiful place; Its just too tempting for me; not to leave, But after almost 2 hours, exploring the Surrounding areas, at 10.30; after breakfast along side the beach; I was back on wheels; and Went in search of NH-17, As I was driving Came across huge mango Plantation Near Devgad just next to the road....

Tender Alfonso mangoes!!!

Well Ratnagiri Alfonso mangoes are very famous every one know about it, and especially Devgadh is blessed with soil that is very fertile and rich minerals and with the sun and humidity that imparts a very unique aroma and flavor to its mangoes. The climate is favorable for the growth of mangoes. How can I go without Plucking few!!!, after tasting tender mangoes, I was again back on my saddle, and soon I was back on NH-17....

My next destination Mahabaleshwar was another 200 kms drive; , I decided it’s time to move on. Chiplun the next big town was 80 kms away. Decided that I will ride non-stop to Chiplun. Soon I was on Rolling NH-17, which conects all the major cities through the west cost of India, one of the most amazing roads ever to Drive!!! From here Parshuram Ghat turned out to be another fun ghat and me fresh from refreshing break Wanted to reach Chiplun as fast as possible, So that I Could reduce raiding time under the Sun sining with full glory.
Amboli Ghats
And after Chiplin The only notable place in between was Khed but since I couldn’t spot any place so I moved on. Just after Khed there is another ghat section named Kashedi, The point where … ghat met with NH-17 is a part of ghat section known as Kashedi. The heat was getting on me; soon I reached Poladpur which is 168 kilometers from Ratnagiri, where I have take right at junction leaving beautiful NH-17 towards Mahabaleshwar. Decided to have Lunch before moving on; so that Bike gets a breather!!!! Before heading Towards Amboli Ghats!!!!
From Poladpur; Mahabaleshwar is 40 kilometers drive through beautiful Amboli ghats. By the time I started my final leg to Mahabalehwar; it was already 2.30 p.m and another 170 kms before I can call it a day. I didn’t expect this section to have good roads but the road was in very good condition and one can actually maintain good speeds but thanks to heavy lunch I was feeling dozy and my speed dropped to sixties."
Time less LandScapes Inside Amboli Ghats
Man this is the seventh one for the day. Never expected to cross so many ghat sections on a single day. Even in my wildest dreams I expected a total of 4 ghat section in this stretch. So am I enjoying? Very much! Touring after 2 months and what more I can ask for. And the best thing is that every ghat section has been different in its own way." This ghat section is longer than the other ones but the whole stretch is in immaculate condition and being free from any traffic!!!

Road To Mahabaleshwar!!!!

Poladpur - Mahabaleshwar road through Amboli Ghats!!!!

AT 4.30 I was Strolling on to the streets of Strawberries, cherries and an angel's kiss in spring ...
That is exactly what Mahabaleshwar is all about in the Indian summer! A place to escape the torrid heat that grips every one, a place to romance strawberries and mulberries, a place to cool off in the thunderous hailstorms that shower the hot hill roofs and plunge the temperatures for lovers to revel in!
Yummy!!!! Just 10 Rupees!!!
Mahabaleshwar has something for all – young and old, trekker and stroller, shopper and foodie or maybe someone who just loves to laze around. Therefore, you will find families, backpackers, moony honeymooners, all doing their own thing and generally having a good time.

Strawberry Ice-Cream!!!
After having lovely Ice-cream; Again back on my Saddle; I moved on towards kate's point which is one of the most stunning view any one can see!!! I leave the pictures to do the talking!!!!

The view from Kate's point is......as above!
Closer one!!! Old mahabaleshwar
View from landwick view point!!
At5.30 Suddenly, the sky started filling up with dark rain clouds prompting me to beat a hasty retreat. I had just entered a landwick view point, and I was treated to a mild hailstorm, which lasted for about half an hour. This effectively brought down the ambient temperature to a very pleasant level. In both old/new Mahabaleshwar, there are nearly 20 view points; with clouds all around; I though it would better Idea to leave for pune; As It was not at all possible cover altlest half of them, and mahabaleshwar being just 120 kilometers away from pune, and being in the middle of two National highways (One is NH-4 and other one is NH-17); So thinking that I can plan a short ride any given day!!! I took Leave from Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar has pleasant climate throughout the year. In summers, temperature range between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius and in winters it falls even further. So whenever you feel tired and strained of your fast and busy life and want to enjoy the branches dipping below the windows and birds waking you every morning, you know where to take a break...!!!
On the return I took the Panchgani-Wai-Pune the roads right through are very good. By 8.00 I was back to pune room, well friends, where waiting for me, they had planned some outing!!! So I am back to pune(My Original destination!!!!) well the destination never mattered, for me It's still remains undefined and never reached. The purpose and reason that another riddle lost in the misty mountain roads!!!!!!!!!!!. "Don’t let such a good time pass by; while you sit by the window, sipping tea and reading a newspaper. Get on the road, smell the air and ride on.

Twenty years from now many will be more disappointed by the things that they didn't do than by the ones they did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore.... Dream..... Discover.....
Nevertheless I will keep riding!!! I will keep chasing the dreams!!!! Riding on the road that never ends nor stops anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!.

28-March Day 1 : Bangalore to Home Via Chitradura Fort
30-March Day 2 : Home to Ratnagiri beaches
31-March Day 3 Ratnagiri to Pune Via Mahabaleshwar

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