BOOKMARK THESE GETAWAYS FOR LONG WEEKENDS!

We all know that Mumbai life can get a little crazy. The morning fight to catch a train from Andheri and the evening trouble of getting from point A to point B at Dadar station can really take a toll on a Mumbaikar. Ek break toh banta hai!

So, when a long weekend comes calling, Mumbaikars love picking it up on the first ring. Away from the city’s hustle and bustle, Mumbaikars, whether an owner or residing in a rental flat are always on the lookout to find those secluded and off beat places to chill and get ready for a long working week. So, if you are new to this city or someone who has lived here for a long time and can really enjoy a good weekend, it is better for you to bookmark these places. They might just come in handy later.

·         Diveagar

Look beyond the beaches of Alibaug and visit the pristine beach which is about 4 hour drive from Mumbai and explore the beauty of Diveagar. Once here, you will forget all your worries and lead the good life.. well at least for the weekend! J Return to work completely relaxed.

·         Malshejghat

This gorgeous located 120 km from Mumbai might just be what you need to get away from the city and be one with nature. It is the perfect weekend getaway for a peaceful holiday and is not commercialized at all. A bird watcher’s paradise, indulge in activities like trekking, hiking, and boating and take away the memory of a lifetime.

·         Manori

Located just 50 kms from Mumbai, the pristine beach of Manori is every traveller’s solitude. A beach which is not crowded, it is the perfect place for fun activities, some heavy duty sports like basketball, cycling, trekking, swimming. And if you aren’t in the mood for some activity, just laze around the beauty and experience salvation under the sunset.

·         Bordi

This place is situated 140 km from Mumbai and the clean beachfront is enough for you to have an Out-of-Mumbai beach experience. The sea here is safe for swimming as the water level do not rise above waist for half a km. However, if you do plan to visit this place, homestay is your only option and they are just as fun.

·         Kolad

Are you an adventurous person? Then, this just might be the place for you. A perfect getaway for the adventurous souls, this place will have different activity for you each day, from kayaking to trekking on the Sahyadri Mountains.

Mumbai can really be tough on all its children. And a little time away from our home can rejuvenate us for an even greater stay in Mumbai. The city is meant to strengthen us and the places around is the escape when the city shows too much of its tough love.

So, get your bags packed already and find the adventurous soul in you or ignite the young spirit in these perfect getaways with your flatmate for the upcoming long weekends around Mumbai.

Have you tried the morning ferry to Alibag?

A bunch of us colleagues decided to take a ferry to Alibaug one Friday morning to spend the day frolicking on the beach of Varsoli. One friend suggested we take the early morning 6.15 ferry and everyone shut her up. Finally it was decided to meet up at 6.30 to take the 7.00 am ferry to Mandwa Port. 

We met up and bought our tickets. Since there was still time to depart, we engaged in nation's best time-pass - clicking selfies and groupies. 

 

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is at its magnificent best at sunrise! It is worth the effort just to go there in the morning and pose in front of the majestic monument. The golden hue cast upon its creamy exterior is like honey poured over butterscotch. There was a couple out there getting the pre-wedding shoot done and they made a pretty picture dressed in their finery.

It was finally 7 and time to leave. We mounted the ferry anticipating a pleasant ride and we were right! There is a certain charm in taking the ferry than going in a speed boat that takes only 15 minutes to get to the other side. The ferry usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour. 

As soon as the ferry took off a bunch of wily sea gulls started following us hoping to get food. Their silent demands were met. The gush of water that the ferry leaves behind is mesmerising and the view that we leave behind is an optic of Bombay that we rarely see. Far off, if you are alert enough, you see the tiny humps of dolphin jumps. You may think it is a mirage but not always! On the way, you'll see a set of ducks 'floating' around making you wonder what they must be doing so far out in the sea.

At the end of an hour, we reached Mandwa Port. It is a well-maintained port from where a 'coach' takes us to the mainland. The coach ride is included in the ferry tickets. The tariff ranges from Rs. 105 to Rs. 165. I recommend the upper deck that gives you a taste of the sun, wind, sky, water, birds and breathtaking view around you. It is an absolute delight for amateur and professional photographers as well.

One sad thing is the bad hygiene practices of the riders as well as the ferry operators. They sell stuff to eat but do not have visible bins to throw the garbage and more often than not it ends up n the waters.Do think of carrying a portable garbage bag with you to leave the least carbon footprint behind.

Varsoli beach