Those who take the night train from Mumbai miss a real treat. Those used to the Parsik Tunnel between Diva & Thane or those between Karjat & Lonvala wake up! Shutterbugs, take to window seats, and set your cameras for instant shoots!
I took the Mangala Express from H. Nizamuddin at 9:20 on Sunday 21st September, 2008 so that I was fully awake & ready to enjoy the pristine beauty of Konkan Railway which starts around 11:45 am the next day! Lush Greenery all the way.
Somewhere midway you see a mountain around a km away, and in forefront a rivulet/backwaters (whatever you call it) wherein you see the image of the mountain. Interspersed are small tunnels. As you approach Ratnagiri, after Chiplun, get ready for both:
(1) Long Tunnels that last around 12-15 minutes with train running at around 70-80 kmph, so much long that you get bored sometimes.
(2) Waterfalls, innumerable, I counted between 20-30, disappearing in a zap as they invariably occured between (breaks, not commercial though) two tunnels.
MTDC resort had around 25% off so we had a decent non A/c room for Rs 1000/- per day (normal charge 1400). Those hanging around for more than a night, note that the menu is fixed throughout the season, same for day & night.
For Vegetarians, Bhau Joshi’s restaurant is excellent and even offers a small bowl of Desi Ghee for Rs 10 (boon for North Indians). Aswad Mango Juice is toooo sweetened, and typical "Canned" taste.
The Ganesh Mandir’s Khichadi is delicious, should not miss between 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm. In Sea, do not venture beyond the area where Rocks start. Play in the sea only when 10-15 people around. Do not venture deep as suddenly the depth goes steep, as locals & Police say.
Dabholkar’s paintings are a treat, available at Kala Niketan, those who run the Prachin Konkan. We purchased two pieces and got couriered to Delhi. The packing was intact, but one leg of wooden frame was broken. The packing was though very good, but postal authorities ...
Those aiming for local sightseeing, beware! AutoRickshaws rate starts from Rs 60 even for 4 km stretch. We paid Rs 350 to Ratnagiri! Hotel Giri Raj at Ratnagiri station is exhorbitantly overpriced! Rs 1200/- for a room! Any child over 3 years is Extra Person and charged Rs 200, with no extra bed! Thali meals start at Rs 145. We had to take it because Mangala express arrives at 6:10 am
While at Ratnagiri, Try Mithila restaurant, 2kms before the State Transport bus stand on route from Station. Excellent food, good interiors, computerised for even Waiters! Each order is fed into it, not seen even in Delhi.