Monsoon Holiday Ideas - Weekend break to Kashid
Kashid Beach, wedged between two rocky outcrops reaching out into the sea, had not changed much since my last visit some five years ago except for the slopes of the hill that overlooked it. Then, only one hotel, Kashid Beach Resort, graced this land. This time around it was strewn with a few more holiday retreats. And not surprisingly so, for this semi-circular sweep of beach is probably the finest in the entire stretch from Mandwa down to Murud-Janjira. Indeed, it does not have the bustling activity that one associates with its two sister beaches, Alibaug and Murud-Janjira. Theres no shortage of sights here, though. For Kashid has access to a ponderous sea fort, a lonely lighthouse and, every now and then, a bird of paradise.
Things To See And Do
There are no water-sports or adventure activities like horse rides on Kashids quiet beach. This is a place to bury yourself in the sand, build castles in the air or on the ground, or just soak up the quiet. For the whole idea of choosing Kashid is to get away from the flurry of activity found on the other beaches nearby.
Revdanda Beach Fort (8 km)
Much of this Portuguese fort is in ruins and run over by betel nut plantations. A seven-storey tower thrusts its weather beaten, vegetation-covered head over slender-trunk palm trees on which the betel nut fruit grow. A gaping cannonball hole in the rampart walls frames the sea.
Datta Mandir (8 km from Revdanda)
The red-domed temple peers out from the summit of a hill draped with rich green vegetation. The 20-minute, fairly strenuous climb to the top is rewarded with not only a darshan of the gods but also a panoramic view of the entire coastal belt.
Where To Stay
Prakruti Resorts (Hillside)
Murud-Janjira Rd
Tel: 02144-278509, 278552-53 Fax-278551
Email: prakruti@bom6.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.prakrutiresort.com
Reservations: Navketan Apts, Opp Chembur Rly Stn, Mumbai-400071.
Contact: 022-25973156-58, Fax-25951568.
Kashid Beach Resort (Hillside)
PO Kashid
Tel: 02144-278501-03. Fax-278504
Reservation: DS&Sons, 85/46, Waroda Rd, Bandra(W).
Contact:022-26439602, 26438312., Fax-26439603.
Suman Beach Resort (On The Beach)
Revdanda-Murud Rd, Village Kashid
Tel: 02177-278514.
Email: m_reservation@rediffmail.com
Mumbai Reservation: Suman Motels Ltd, 109, Tej Gaurav House, Telang Rd, Matunga(E).
Contact: 022-24014943, 24018440, Fax-24026388.
Where To Eat
Head to the Beach Restaurant at Suman Beach Resort for special local Konkani vegetarian food and the usual Chinese, Continental, Gujarati and South Indian meals from 8am to midnight. For seafood, go up to Kashid Beach Resorts restaurant for local Konkani. Chinese, Continental and Gujarati meals are on offer as well.
Around Kashid
Phansad Bird Sanctuary (19 km)
It was well past sunset when we pullet into the forest Departments Rest House at Phansad Bird Sanctuary, 4 km off the main road. Right away, while feasting on a simple but hearty dinner, we heard the sound of wild boars digging up roots on the fringes of the compound.
The jungle walk, early the following morning, was a visual treat of birds and butterflies, outlandish insects and the blush of flowers in bloom. The air was dense with heady fragrance of rich vegetation and the musty aroma of decaying trees. A troop of monkeys shrieked their protest at our presence in their domain while a barking deer paused briefly to check out our intentions before vanishing into the thicket without a sound. And though we did not see the Giant Indian Squirrel (one of the star attractions of the sanctuary), we could enormous nest in the branches of a tree.
Pleased with the sightings, we were turning back towards the rest house when a streak of slivery white-blue floating through the trees caught our attentions. It was the most gorgeous bird of paradise. The little creature, no more than two inches long, proudly sports two tail feathers over a foot-and-a-half long. It was almost as though the forest was tempting me with one its finest treasures to linger on and miss the bus that would carry me back to civilisation.
Blink and youll miss it. Although the Phansad Vanya Jeev Abhyaranya (wildlife Sanctuary) is spread across 1000 hectares and has been around for over eight years, it makes no mark on the tourists map. No accommodation facilities are available here though. Drive deep enough inside and you might see the ruins of the Siddi Nawabs bungalow at Kesauli, which offers a splendid view of Kashid Beach.
Entry fee: Rs.5-50, depending on age and mode of travel. (source : Outlook traveler)
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