New Year’s Eve-2015 under the stars beside the sea
I am bidding goodbye to the year 2015 and welcoming 2016 from Dapoli beach. The night is alight with the lamps floating in the sky, the laughter and merriment at its height, tourists seem to spend the night on the beach. Music, wine, and the moment will always be remembered.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and we had driven for around 10 hrs. one day earlier, from our home town some 450 km to reach Dapoli. The cobbled street leading us to our homestay located on the beachfront is still. Music is blaring from a nearby shack, the party seems to be in full swing. As we walk towards our cove in the dense coconut grove, the only light cast is from the moon overhead.
With the December chill in the air, the crashing waves sound like a violin being played somewhere very near, the party music and the violin both calling for attention but right now I am hungry and eager to zoom out.
Simple food of the region
The salmon pink appetizer, made from fresh coconut milk with garlic and a locally grown Garcinia( Kokum) served with fried fish, rice and some fryums makes my stomach growl. “SolKadhi” an appetizer a local drink consumed before and after food has a strong aroma of freshly grounded spices and the effect is heady relaxing your muscles. Crash I did along with the waves, they on a sand bed I on mine.
We had left home early from Nasik and took the Panvel, Pen, and then the Goa Highway. Later going Via Mangaon, we encountered rough driving patches and Traffic.
Blessed with Lacelike coastal Shoreline
Blessed with a coastal shoreline of the Arabian Sea, Dapoli is a quaint little town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Located at some 800m above sea level is the most underrated beach destination. The drive to Dapoli is long and you cruise along the shoreline with dense vegetation on one side, Serpentine narrow roads, Red laterite soil, backwaters dotted with fishing boats, and small hamlets settled around them. You get anxious until you reach.
Swaying of the palms and the chirping of the birds wake me up from deep slumber, what pulls me out is the music of the waves the violins now playing together as it is high tide, grabbing my slippers I open the door to face the expanse of sea. An infinite expanse …..And the beauty brings a smile to my face forgetting the long drive. The morning air caresses my skin and unknowingly all my muscles go in relax mode. It’s the last day of the year, the vibe is relaxed. What a destination to end and begin a year.
Beach Itinerary EAT, SLEEP, READ, and RELAX
Morning beach walk and I look towards the horizon, the day for the locals as long begun with the fishing boats deep into the sea, and far away the red ball has started to make its appearance. Thankful to be here the red ball grows and casts its spell on the infinite expanse making it a sight to capture. Sunrises and sunsets when on the sea are amazing sights.
It’s majestic to sit on the white sand with a neatly laid breakfast of the most simple and locally grown produce. Some fresh fruits and a patty made from rice flour and veggies are offered with onion sauce and a glass of super nutrient coconut water, with an empty hard drive i.e. the brain. I couldn’t ask for more.
I lounged on the beach chair with my favorite book, as the sun grew its spell and the bamboo tavern did its best to shadow the sun’s spell I could see many having a gala time at the water sports on Jet Ski, ATV, and the Banana rides. The parasailing activity called for screeching shouts with excitement as the move dipped the participant in the Ocean and picked them back, it is fun to watch.
Beach Hopping
This 50km stretch of lacelike coastline has some pristine beaches rarely crowded, and you always find a place for yourself. Mine is a part of my Homestay and I am happy to stay put, many though preferring to do beach hopping. Each beach is beautiful and flaunts its divine look making it tempting for tourists. To name a few nearby are Palande, Ladghar, Karde, Anjarle, Murud Harihareshwar, each has its local sightseeing of forts, caves and temples, hot water springs, trails, and ancient remains.
Dapoli too has a historical background. The Britishers had set camp here and are known by the name of “DAPOLI CAMP” and in the ERA of Shivaji Maharaja it was the main defending pad for the invaders before.
Port HARNE—Extravaganza of seafood
Local food is easily available. It does tantalize your taste buds. This fishing harbor a few Kilometers away at HARNAI gives a continuous supply of fresh seafood and you relish every bite. As I was to choose my seafood a visit to the harbor barring the Odour every step of the fishermen’s hard work was worth a visit.
My Itinerary only read, EAT, SLEEP, READ and RELAX” and so I did. But one activity while at Dapoli I couldn’t resist is the Dolphin spotting. Picked up by the boatmen the early morning sea safari takes me 20km away from the shoreline, my first to be deep into the Ocean, and I am intrigued and scared with its expanse, power, depth, and force.
The Dolphin Watch
But the “Aahas” and the “OOHS” from around me, guessing the wave patterns to check on the Dolphins’ arrival is too high and the tide of excitement put my fears at bay, I give in to the search with my Binoculars zooming in and out. Suddenly everyone is still as the Trio a family of Mama Dolphins and two babies shiny and slimy black, make a Flip. Everyone in that flip of second experiences a Hurray Moment, but the trio has decided to entertain us and the Flips are on and go higher and higher as a pro Gymnasts, I forget my Binoculars and my Camera, the sight is captured in my memory card which will stay and go with me.
Shooting Lanterns in the starlit Sky
Three hours on the sea and, I am hungry once again at my homestay which has made sure my itinerary is fulfilled thoroughly. With the bonfire flames trying to touch the starlit sky each emanating light to make the pitch night of New Year’s Eve brighter, as I party and shoot some lanterns in the sky contributing to the light, I add prayers too. For the beautiful life, surroundings, and the holiday I am on. We didn’t see the time as the waves still crashed and so did we both satiated and fulfilled.
Must do when on a beach
Relaxing was the motto and I fulfilled it, the sound of crashing calming my brain cells like talking to my brain, relax, no work can happen here, so do what you have come. The blue color of the Ocean waters swinging gently is said to have a calming effect, and it did. As I idled on my lounge chair, with the gentle breeze swelling in and out, the effect on my psyche is just peaceful. A Whiff Of salty air is a proven anti-depressant. Breathing the ocean air helps to calm your brain, relieve your stress, and make you healthier.
Relaxing activities
☞ Eat sleep and gaze
☞ Take long walks with music or just with yourself
☞ Read your favorite book on a lounge chair under the bamboo tavern
☞ Go for a message
☞ Take stress-free activities into the sea like sunrise or sunset or Dolphin watching.
Beaches Famous for
☞ For Dolphin Watch- Palande beach
☞ Adventure Sports -Ladghar Beach
☞ For Photography. Harihareshwar Beach
☞ For beautiful pristine sand beaches -Anjarle Beach
☞ For a book lover —- Shrivardhan
