When the idea about going to tour is discussed in my home the first name that is very often suggested by my daughters is Goa, we two (i.e.myself and wife) suggest some thing else.I am sure the beaches of goa have a mesmerising effect on young minds.The sand, clear water, and more importantly the atmosphere makes it one of the favourite destination of tourist. I had been to goa many times as a youth, as a honeymoon couple, as a father with kids and as a executive.Everytime goa makes me unsatisfied , eager to go back.What I like about goa most is the easy going nature of the local people, it is not only safe place but the local people seem to enjoy the life , they seem to be proud to be goan that is charm of goa.The places I like most in goa is mangeshi temple and shanta durga temple apart from beaches.The ferry ride across the mandovi river has a soothing effect.Even for economy tourist like me it is within the reach if one avoids december and january. The kamath and gujarati hotels in panaji does not make me feel food sick.
Whle coming from panaji during one of my tour the copassenger suggested me to visit kokan and see the beauty of beaches in kokan .Being kokani he said kokan beaches are far better than goa.That raised the curiosity and we decided to go to kokan .We ( I with my daughters and wife) had been to kokan (Ganpatipule, ratnagiri, guhagar, hedvi, hariharshwar, dive agar , srivardhan, murud, pali and mahad) last year.At the outset I must say what the person told me in bus was not untrue. Kokan is not as professionalised as goa, it is also safe , the tourists are less .In most of the places if you like maharashtrian food then there is no problem.Local mess create an ambience of homely ness through out your tour.The places can very well be seen by hiring a taxi from chiplun or ratnagiri.The ghats , rivers and natural beauties are breathtaking.The places are absolutely safe but the roads are misleading.(To travel 25 kms it may take more than 2 hrs)
Ganapatipule is must see place in kokan tour.The Ganesh temple on seashore makes you assured about your well being.Guhagar has a very beautiful beach with good hotels to stay.It is a palce where you can spend 2-3 days loitering around.
Hedvi has a beautiful beach with a sea gorge and a excellent ashtabhuja ganapati temple.Harihareshwar is hamlet with a religious naure.It is daksin kasi(varanasi)
The place is very small and accomodation is limited and not upto standard but ispite of this it a place worth seeing.Pali mahad and diveagar are famous for ganesh temple.In dive agar a gold ganesh idol was discovered during the excavation .It also has a beautiful and long beach.
Konkan tour is not an expensive tour and if you like fish/solkadhi and maharshtrain food then you will enjoy it.
If you want achange from your favourite destination goa then konkan is a good alternative.Konkan railway makes your journey more enjoyable and adds more value to your money.