Coasting Along

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Even as we continued working on Antara, we decided to make a trip along the West Coast, covering Maharashtra and Goa. The idea was to get a fix on the kind of jetties and shore options available today. We set off early on a Sunday morning, with the intention of reaching Ratnagiri that evening. 

Devgad
Our first stop was Devgad. After getting on to State Highway 4, we made our way through small hamlets, up and down some beautiful hillsides. Cruising over a crest, the sea unfurled towards the horizon, in shades of blue. Driving along the coastline, I was delighted to have found our very own Route 1. Devgad is a fishing village located in the middle of two coves. The cove on the left is a pristine, clean strip of beach, seemingly undiscovered by the tourist and the cove on the right plays host to a multitude of fishing boats. The only road in the village curls around the fishing harbour and ends in a surprisingly well maintained jetty. The channel is marked and water seems deep enough for Antara's draught.

Having started after a late breakfast, we were now ravenous. Imagine our delight at
Hotel Vasant Vijay
finding Hotel Vasant Vijay on our way out of Devgad. We had a typical Malvani thali before sleepily getting on our way again.  Oh for a siesta then.

A leisurely drive past Vijaydurg and Jaitapur eventually got us to Ratnagiri. We were to stay with friends there, one of whom works with Finolex; and, Finolex has a jetty there! It's used primarily to ferry coal up to their power plant. Turns out it may be too high to bring Antara alongside, but we could shelter in the breakwater beyond. A lovely evening catching up on Fauji events and we were off again the next morning. 

View from the Finolex jetty
After driving around the public jetty of Mirya Bundar, we quickly headed North towards Jaigad. The intention was to see the jetty there, then turn around and drive back to Goa via Vengurla. Enroute, we came up on the village of Malgund. Marathi poet Keshavsut was born there. We've both read his poetry but it is kind of stratospheric, even for Dilip whose Marathi is better than mine. 

All along we drive on SH4, the coastline undulating seductively, sometimes disappearing into the hills, onto dry, harsh plateaus, then sloping down again; and the road follows the curves. We cross the white sands of Aare beach, then the dusky black sands of Waare beach to each Jaigad. 

The jetty is dilapidated and decommissioned now, though Dilip remembers anchoring there many
Riverside lunch
years ago, when he sailed there as part of a race. As seems to be the case with most safe moorings along this coast, the jetties are located at one end of a horseshoe shaped cove, with a beach o fishing village in the long middle stretch. Tempted by the ferry that connects Jaigad to Tavsal further north, we drive on to it and unwittingly add two hours to our return trip. Off the ferry, we turn off the coastal road looking for SH6 to head back. The search takes us across a lush stretch of jungle, across a newly constructed bridge, to a riverside lunch of Jhunkaa Bhaker. 

Its already 3pm and we have a long way to go. The road widening work is in full swing all along SH6 as we weave our weary way home, making it back by 10pm. Pizza at Edu's, washed down with cold beer, and we call it a day.

Have a look at the video I put together of this scenic drive. 

With Antara you now have the opportunity to sail, safe in Covid times - on a large sailboat, along the coast, in the deep blue yonder! You decide and we'll design a sail just for you. 

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