We visited Dapoli and Murud Harne last week: 27 April to 30 April. Intention wasto see and enjoy beautiful beaches of Harnai, Palande and Anjarle. We travelledwith our son and my in laws.
We took route from Paud, Tamhini Ghat and reached Mangaon.Then took turn after Veer station and reached Dapoli and then to Murud Harnai.
In first day, we visited Karade beach- beautiful White sandbeach, Kadyavarcha Ganapati- Ganesh temple at Anjarle. This temple is a treat.I remember climbing all steps after a boat ride to other end 5 years ago.Things have changed for better(or worse?). Now we can directly drive throughscenic drive to temple in your vehicle. It was amazement and thrill to travel through narrow trail and let StateTransport bus pass through.
We visited Kelshi beach next day. Had food at local familythere and it was too good. Landlady was not only supportive and concerned forour son’s needs but kind enough to allow us to wait there for a while there wasbright and hot sunny light outside.
Kelshi beach is a treat for sea lover. Since road to reachhere is little bad and beach is isolated from other popular sites, it is aclean and pleasant experience to take a ride or sit in the shadow of treesplanted in a row on beach. Just take a time to see the sunset there or let yourkids play around. You would remember the experience. People claim that if you visit early morning you could see dolphins in sea as well. We reached by 10.00 am. There was one dead dolphin out there though.
We also visited Harne Port and Fish market in the evening. It was an amazement to stand in that crowed where everyone is shouting, and we are virtually amidst a sea of various fish types. When you are familier to see select fishes at your shop, its interesting to see so many types at once.
On way back we travelled through Dapoli – Khed – Poladpur –Mahabaleshwar- Wai- Panchgani and then back to Pune.
It was a tiring affair. The Ghat section doesn’t seems toget over, until you reach Wai. But you could also enjoy what is called “Sahyadri”on your left, throughout the road especially before the Pratapgadh.
It was enjoyable and memorable trip, only spoiled by ourhotel stay. We booked Hotel Sea Princess in Palande – 3 kms from Karade nearHarne Bandar. It was pain and awful experience.
We stayed in rooms which were added recently. They seems tobe completed specially for this season, in rush and hence do not expect much.You don’t get much in room except a bed and a small cupboard.
Main issue was with water and food. You cannot get yourbottle purchased from outside, they object and the water provided by them(non-bisleri)is not as tasty as you are habitual with.
Worst part was Air conditioning system. That never worked ineither rooms at all. But the staff was keen on not starting generator to letfans run. It was especially bad at night when you would just swat and keep onhoping that some miracle would happen to get fan running.
There were arguments on checkout day by various visitors sharingsimilar concerns right from bad food, unhygienic towels and floor to hot wateravailability. We were surprised to see our bill too as there were 8 extrabisleri bottles shown in bill than what we consumed. Since there is no prooffrom either side to justify either you shout and argue or pay what is askedfor.
All in all, I would recommend anyone to visit these nicebeaches. but be sure on where you are staying. It does matter to have a pleasant, if not comfortable stay when you are out.