May 01, 2009 10:52 AM
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“Where should we go today?” he asked.
“I feel like smelling the sea” she smiled.
She could visualize a virgin beach, frilled with palm groves and waves lashing at her feet. But where in or around Mumbai you can get it? A beach free from the maddening crowd, or the humdrum of civilization. He could read her thoughts and held her hands in his assuringly. His love for her could make everything possible. And knew just the place which would make her dream come true - Kashid.
She laughed at his jokes and he loved to see her smile. A wrong turn on the goa highway led them to a wrong direction. There was no U-turn in sight, he became a bit tensed. Fortunately they found a crossover and after inquiring a few roadway police they were back in track. There was a quaint little tea shop by the side of the road. They stopped over for some steaming tea and yummy omelette. He loved these road side shops, she loved to see him happy. They clicked a lot of pictures and continued their journey towards Kashid. The roads looked like a freshly painted landscape, as if nature had blended the greens, yellows, blues and purples in its palette and sprayed it generously on the canvas in front. The road had many dangerous curves, but he drove like a dream. There was music, there was laughter and their love.
They decided to pay a visit to Alibaug en-route. Following the signs he tried to figure out the way to Alibaug beach but soon got confused in the mazes of road. For help he asked a few localites, who even confused him better. After 3-4 such futile attempts, he decided to rely on his gut feelings rather.
“Is it why they say ‘Alibaug se aaya hain’?” she giggled.
After many wrong turns later they finally reached the beach. The sea was very calm. They walked around in the water for sometime hand in hand. With nothing much to do they resumed their journey. Now it was again an uphill task to find the way back. But he stuck to his decision not to ask any localite. An expert driver he was, he came through the right way and took the diversion towards Kashid. From there they could see no traces of another human life on way. There was only nature and the two of them. The roads started to get bumpy. It was very obvious why most people preferred the sea route instead. Apart from the road, everything way enjoyable. The ride offered hills, green forests, pastures, quaint villages and everything a landscape can offer to please the eyes, minds and senses. A drive through this coastal belt is the perfect way to catch the awesome rustic beauty of rural India.
After crossing a beautiful bridge on way, it occurred to them that they did not have a booking in any of the hotels. But it was an adventure trip anyway, so left everything to luck. Soon the landscape began to change. She could smell the sea. And indeed they could see the hint of the boundless sea across the interruption of the tall coconut trees.
The first thing was to find a place to stay. They checked out a few cottages, but it looked so deserted so they looked for other options. He went out to check with Prakruti resorts. He came back smiling and drove into the resort. The moment you enter the resort its a different world altogether. Nestled in the lush green forests and hills of the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, all along the slopes of the hills there are cosy little bungalows dotting the landscape. The slopes have been divided into horizontal levels. The higher you go the better the sea view. The lower levels are closer to the lobby and the restaurant. After the welcome drink, they directly went for the lunch as it was already 3 o clock by then. The food was included in the package (Rs.7000/ room), so there was no worry while enjoying the delectable buffet laid down before them. After lunch, they checked into the well furnished room and had a quick bath. Then they strolled around the campus of the resort. Around 5, when the sun had mellowed down a bit they drove to the private beach of the resort.
Just a 5 min walk from the resort, it was an expense of a beautiful sea wedged between two surrounding green hills. The never-ending sea with its vast stretch of pristine seashore evoked a rejuvenating feeling. Silvery soft sands adorned the beach. The bizarrely high lingering waves of the sea was a delight for surfing. There was a lone narial paani wala. No crowd, water sports, snack bars, a mystic calmness was lingering in the atmosphere, only a musical sound of breeze through long suru and coconut trees could be heard. They walked far down the beach, soothed by the rhythm of the waves, listening to the pebbles crunch beneath their feet. They sat on the rocks at the end of the beach. The sun was slowly going down. Far away they could see a few fishing boats sailing in the water. It was peace and tranquillity redefined. She rested her head on his shoulder and they listened to the song of the waves together.
Blue and red, is that the sun
Million magic in reflection
Billion colors, zillion hues
Here goes worries, there my rues
The sun went down slowly and the lovely couple of the moon and venus occupied the sky. They made their way back to the resort. At night it looked more mystic, with the beautiful lanterns lighting up the place. Dinner was a delight. The best of Continental cuisine, savoury delights of Chinese and Thai cooking, the melting pleasures of Indian food, all these and more tantalised their taste buds. After dinner they retired to their room. They sat in small balcony overlooking the garden for a long time enjoying the silent night and the star spangled sky.
They woke up to the aroma of freshly brewed tea and were pampered with a delightful breakfast of Poha, stuffed omelette, milk and cookies. They left the place only with a promise to come back again.
“How did you find the sea my dear?” he asked on the way back.
“I felt your love in it” she said and rested her head on his shoulders.
Faraway, somewhere the waves giggled gleefully and continued its romance with the virgin beach of Kashid.
