I am writing this review as an extension to my Diveagar review. As we had decided to visit Diveagar first for a couple of days and then to Harihareshwar for another couple of days.
After an enjoyable and restful stay at Diveagar we left for Harihareshwar.
Before leaving for this vacation, I had already booked for my stay at Harihareshwar at an B&B kinda accomodation at a place called as "Guru Geeta" owned by a lady called Smt. Sakhale. As mentioned in my earlier Diveagar review, I had my 9 month old daughter travelling and we preferred my wife cooking for her. Smt. Sakhale assured that she would provide "good" food for my daughter and I need not worry about. Under this assurance I went for this deal.
As the distance was a mere 35 KMS, we decided not to hurry in the morning. After getting up late and having breakfast, me, my daughter and my wife left Diveagar at around 11:00 AM. We had planned to reach Harihareshwar at around 1:00 PM. As the road was not too good, I drove my WagonR with an average speed of 20 KMPH as I already had 2 flats on my way to Diveagar from Pune. I never wanted to take any more chances. I had a brief halt at Srivardhan where I found one stretch of drive very wonderful parallel to the sea. The sea looked amazingly blue and beautiful and we stopped at a few places for taking snaps. With the uninviting roads and these breaks we reach Harihareshwar at around 1:30 PM.
I did not find any problems finding the "Guru Geeta" lodging. After finding it tough to get a parking for my car, I went to the empty reception and waited for atleast 5 mins. Then came a lad aged 10-12. I found that the room was not yet ready(in-spite of calling this lodge in the morning and mentioning our arrival). No one came to pick our lagauge. We were made to wait about 20-25 mins for the rooms. My daughter was starving. As per the assurance given by Smt. Sakhale, my wife approach the kitchen to prepare my daughter’s meal after we checked in, where she came accross many unfriendly maids. She was not allowed to cook by herself. After some arguments with my wife the maids mentioned that they would cook her meal and get back to us with it. After waiting for 45 mins, my daughter was provided with burnt rice. My furious wife complained to Smt. Sakhale where we found she even this lady was more unfriendly. After giving some pathetic reasoning and being adamant for my wife to cook my daughter’s food, I thought enough is enough. We decided to leave that place ASAP. I immediately again packed my lagauge and left the place. I was made to pay Rs. 250/- for my half and hour stay. I never wanted to argued.
As it was already difficult getting an accomodation a month back, we thought of not trying for any other accomodation and leave for Pune immediately. We got some milk for my daughter and fed her in the car itself. My wife persued to visit the temple, we had a quick visit to the temple(The only place I enjoyed). The sea shore view from the temple was not that inviting as the sand looked black in color. I decided to skip the sea shore visit. We left for Pune immediately at 3:30.
I decided to again take the Tamhini route to pune. Also I needed to cross over tamihini before sunset and the road is very lonely and dangerous to travel alone. I would suggest no one to travel this ghat after dark(I had taken this route once in the night and then decided never to do that again. Its scary :-). Again I did not want to take any chances with my WagonR. I decided to take Lonere route towards Mangaon. It took me 20 kms more but atleast I was sure that the road would be better than the Mangaon-Mhasla route. Surprisingly everything after that went as per planned after the sort of day I had. I managed to reach my home in Pune at 7:30.
But I would strongly caution you about this lady, the owner of "Guru Geeta" lodge. She would promise a lot to you but things would be rather different personally. I have travelled atleast 9-10 times in Konkan. The most positive thing I noticed in this part was the attitude of the people. It was great. Even at the time when I visited Konkan when my wife was pregnant, I found people so much helpful and supportive that we never ever felt away from home. I had the same expectation from this lady, especially this time, with a small baby ( I thought I expected too much) but I was shocked with the kind of language and the treatment I got here. I would suggest that if you anyone would want to travel to Harihareshwar, prefer MTDC, as I found the same kind of attitude in many of the other B&B accomodations here. MTDC location and facilities were outclass as per the report which I got from my friends. If I would ever think of visiting Harihareshwar, I would prefer no other accomodation than MTDC. Plan it properly as MTDC is mostly full in peak seasons(That is the reason I had to opt for "Guru Geeta").
I am not blaming this place, but if you provided a good accomodation only then one would be able to enjoy his/her stay here. I would still plan to visit this place once again and maybe be able to provide a much positive review.