Jun 30, 2009 02:31 PM
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Our weekend trip to Ganapatipule was built up over a period of time mainly due to a number of positive responses on https://mouthshut.com.After a lot of initial dilly dallying and postponement, we (two couples) rented a Qualis and finally packed our bags to Ganapatipule on a weekend last month.The drive from Mumbai to Ganapatipule takes at least 8 – 9 hours covering a distance of 375 kms.
I was mesmerized by the view of the beach when traveling downhill towards the beach through the approach road. The view of the vast ocean covering kissing the horizon and the blue waters is breath taking and entices you to rush towards it for a dip.
MTDC Resort is the most sought after hotel in Ganapatipule due to its unique beach facing location and provides direct access to the beach. It sits on the side of a hill that faces the sea. Accommodation here varies from non air conditioned rooms to A/c suites. We had ensured that we reserve the rooms at MTDC online(Rs. 1250 plus taxes) in advance since the availability of rooms is limited due to the heavy demand from weekenders.
Do not take a chance to reach Ganapatipule without pre-booking your rooms at the resort; else you may well have to be satisfied with local hotels which do not have direct access to the beach apart from mediocre facilities. Though the services at MTDC are tepid, you bother not to complain since the facilities are owned and managed by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, a government body.
The rooms at the resort however were a major let down since they were was devoid of decent interiors and presented a rustic look and feel. Moreover the quality and taste of food in the resort was way below average. However, do not be disheartened with the lack of quality food in the resort since there are a number of local hotels serving authentic ‘Malvani’ cuisine located at a distance of 5 minutes from the resort. We relished and devoured the delicious serving of fish and chicken at the restaurant after being devoid of it at the resort.
The atmosphere in the evening was electric resulting in a heady cocktail mixed with a wind of romance. The sky bathed in Crimson red at the time of sunset with boats dangling in the waters as side attractions. Lush greenery and swaying palms adjoining the beach act as the ideal foil to romance and soak in the setting sun. The camel ride on the beach was thoroughly enjoyable and very cheap compared to exorbitant charges levied at other tourist destinations.
The early morning sun rise was majestic especially since Mumbaities, like me, find it impossible to penetrate the skyline and the smog to view the morning sunrise. Do make it a point to keep an alarm at 4 o’clock in the morning to watch the beautiful ball of fire come alive. An early morning walk on the beach energises and stimulates your deepest senses.
A trip to Ganapatipule is incomplete without the darshan of the Swayambhu Ganapati temple. The temple is one of the eight temples known together as Ashta Ganapatis. Its calm and serene surrounding adds to its mystique.
The day temperatures in the area range between mid 20 to 30 degree Celsius and is ideal to enjoy a dip in the waters. Nights though are cool and breezy. I must warn that the beach waters are highly salty and can easily lead to sun burn and skin pigmentation. I soon realised that the romance of the beach setting fades when you swim in its water.
My vision of beaches is skewed due to exploration of other more exotic beaches that I have explored in the past resulted an unequal comparison of this beach.Moreover, the high salt content dampens the swimming spirit at the beach and hence I assign a rating of three out of five to Ganapatipule. Do make a trip to Ganapatipule at least once for a weekend with your family or friends.
