Tour and travel information

Tommy Singh nudged me. I looked. She was standing next to the reception. What caught the attention was her sari. A typical bright floral design with a black border and matching low neck blouse her dark straight hair in a plate falling right down to her waist Then she turned, looked behind us and smiled to somebody. It was a stunning face! A typical Indian Konkani beauty, very fair with sharp features, a beautiful smooth neck with taunting smile! Wow! She dropped a piece of paper from her hand. I could see her low waist line while she was picking the paper. A sudden excitement ran through my body. I looked away towards Tommy Singh feeling a bit embarrassed, staring at her. I shrugged.

We walked to the restaurant, ‘Grasshopper’. Sipping hot coffee we discussed the beautiful women from the different parts of our country, winning ‘miss world’ and ‘miss universe’ titles consecutively, of many other achievements, their unparalleled skills as great lovers and trustworthiness as wives!

Few days now that we left Mumbai and the journey had been really fantastic. It had been winding road through gently rolling verdant hills, flanked by the forested green of the central Sahyadris range of rugged mountains on one side, the west coast kissing the blue waters of the Arabian Sea on the other side, the odd water falls and rivulets with their music, villages on the road side, herd of cows and buffaloes crossing the roads and enjoying a glass of ‘cutting’ ginger tea at village stalls, I smiled to myself! Magnificent! A different world from a polluted metropolis!

We had left Shrivardhan early in the morning for the holy temple & beach town of Harihareshwar only a few kilometers away, encircling a small creek and were waiting for our room to be done up at the MTDC(maharashtra tourism development corporation) Resort on the southern end of the beach. Soon we left to explore the wonderful town called Harihareshwar and it’s serene beach.

We headed straight to holy Kalbhairav temple(Lord Shiva) and were struck by the spiritual aura which engulfed us instantly. The temple, it’s said was constructed in 1723 by then ruler Peshwa. There were devotees all around praying silently or chanting which further deepened our spiritual feelings. We sat there quietly, each in their own thoughts. Outside temple, there were homes, gharghuthis, where you have to order in advance for your lunch or dinner. We proceeded towards the beach through steps and my goodness! What a scene. A long stretch of sand and deep blue Arabian sea! It had two parts.

We moved toward north part where the action was! Hungry, we enjoyed Bhel-Puri (a lip smacking spicy Indian snack with bits of raw cut mangoes), Narial Pani (coconut water) and free priceless serene walk on the beach.

The cost: 20/-+15/-= Total Rs 35/-(less than a dollar) per head!!

Where else in the world would you find such a deal to have a fun on one of the most beautiful beaches???

Subsequently,we walked along the beach toward south, a natural splendour by the palm trees surrounding the beach and green hills hugging the land. A spectacle! I remembered the Konkan beauty we had seen at the resort. It had started giving a romantic inclinations! Oh my God!

The south end of the beach was less crowded and quite. We didn’t know when we reached our resort. The MTDC place was beautiful with a great sea view! we loved it’s setting. The dusk was approaching fast. I was going through the restaurant menu when I heard something and almost dropped the card!

‘Would you like to have some beer?’ Asked the waiter.

Beer in a holy town? It surprised us!

Tommy Singh, eager as always, ordered for a Kingfisher. The horizon was changing its color and so the sea. It was tranquil and picturesque. Soon we were lost. I was with that beautiful lady.