While returning something struck us, and the next moment we were peeping into the crab holes. We found a big one with white cutting claws and thought of catching it. Arrangements were made to capture the breakfast. A water bottle was cut from the neck, a cloth was found and some sticks were collected to dig. After some attempts and a ferocious attack by the crab, we managed to catch one. A full video was shot of the experience. This was just the starting. It was like the lions had tasted blood, and now they wanted more. We caught another one, this even bigger in size. After carefully covering the bottle we returned back with our prized possessions. On the way we encountered a snake too, but it ran away and disappeared. The enthusiasm after catching the crabs was so high that some wanted to catch the snake too. They were cooled down and made to leave the place. By the time we got ready, breakfast was served. After a stomach full we moved to our next destination.
The next place “Shiroda” was not a part of the plan. It is also a beach, so we had thought of skipping it in our initial plans. The previous day Prashant did something for which we are thankful to him. He made us change the plan. Within a few minutes we had canceled the booking and were headed towards another beach. The distance was around 65 km along the foothills with a river on one side and greenery all over. After a 1.5 hour drive we reached Shiroda. On the way we also had a look at the Vengurla harbor. The view was from a good distance, but it was spectacular. The whole of the small place could be seen with a backdrop of sea. Covered with Mountains on all 3 sides and one side with water, it was like a beautiful prison. If it were cut from road from all side, for me it would have been the best place for vacations.
We had booked a sea side resort
, “Dolphin Resort”. Taking our inventory of fuel (vodka, not petrol) for the evening, we reached the resort by noon. It was located right on the shore. We booked a hut and 2 rooms and straight away went to the beech. The sand was beautiful, light brown in color without a hint of blackness. The see was shallow, but rough. The best part was, that within site there was no one other than us. We sat there with a couple of beers and enjoyed the serenity of the place. Had a little ussal pao for lunch and then came back to the shore. By evening we were inside the water. It was shallow up to a long distance. The resort people had instructed not to go far as there were some sudden depths and the pull was strong. Apart from us, that deep there was a small group of some elderly people. After enjoying in the water and a game of cricket on the shore we settled on the shore.
By evening, we had ordered some chakhna, beers, water and cold drinks. The sun had set and it was almost dark, with only a shade of light from the resort, which was struggling to reach us. The only thing that was evident was our chitchat and the sound of waves against the shore. The beer vodka cocktail again hit hard and proved to be a revealing medicine. Discussions ranged from life experiences to ghazals to poetry to college to affairs and anything and everything. By now everyone was hungry, so we moved for the dinner. The best part was that our table was place near a group of 6 50+ friends. We remembered them to be the ones in water with us. They had a bottle of JW black label between them and were chatting in Marathi. I couldn’t control myself and went forward with saket (He speaks marathi) to talk to them. It was joyous and motivating to know that they have been friends for 35 years and for the last 10 years they have been meeting there in every monsoon. It was a friendship to die for and we were honored to be witness to their get together. We all promised this to ourselves, to try to be like them.
There were some evident misses, not only in the night at the beach but the whole trip. The big one was the absence of Sonal, Elzi, Prashant and Tanmay. No long were we thinking of how Sonal had missed the trip, a call came from a place far far away to wish Mayank on his B’day. It was Sonal and everyone swore that she gonna live long. It was midnight and we all dispersed to take some rest. It was the last night of the trip (next one was spent in the bus), so with damped memories in eyes we retired for the day.
The next morning we packed our bags and gathered to leave. The sadness was evident from the laziness. We left for Hubli before noon. On the way we stopped to bid adieu to the Amboli falls. Next there were some 2 spots to be covered, before we could end our trip. We went to see the ugam of Hiranayakeshi River. There wasn’t much to see as there was a small temple and water was coming through a small cave. While returning, Saket became very uncomfortable. Though there were many places on the way but he insisted on going to a petrol bunk. We were skeptical if we’ll find any facility there so instead we headed towards a restaurant. Saket took a breath of respite and we had our lunch there. After lunch we headed fo
r Kavalesad point. There was a deep valley closed from 3 sides and we were on top of a mountain. There were waterfalls everywhere, some small while others big, but all flowing deep into the valley. It was a beautiful view. One interesting thing was that if we tried to throw an empty bottle of water into the valley, it came back. It sounded like saying, “Please do not litter”. It had started drizzling by then. We had tea in a hut shop and after clicking some more pics left for Belgaum.
To end the trip on a sweet note, we went into a sweet shop in Belgaum to have kardant, a native sweet of north Karnataka made from ghee and a lot of dry fruits. We tasted all the sweets strange to us at the shop and left after getting some packed. After dropping Prashant at his place we headed for Hubli. The train tickets were not yet confirmed so we decided to go by bus. Being Sunday, all busses were packed. Finally we got into some bus, and it made us understand the importance of pre-emptive booking. The ride was a nightmare. I don’t want to mention the details, as I don’t want to end this on a sad note. We reached Bangalore by 7 in the morning and were back to office by afternoon.
The trip left an everlasting experience and it took us around a week to get out of the hangover.
The morning on the beach sent us for a walk. I had always imagined myself taking a long walk on the beach alongside my special one. This was the correct time though the person that accompanied wasn’t that special one. It was Bhaskar. On the way we came across many small holes dug on the shore. These were crab hideouts. We collected a variety of shells and also had a sight of some rare jellyfish. Wondering along, we went a long distance. After some time, Mayank, Praphulla and Prashant also caught up with us. 
, “Dolphin Resort”. Taking our inventory of fuel (vodka, not petrol) for the evening, we reached the resort by noon. It was located right on the shore. We booked a hut and 2 rooms and straight away went to the beech. The sand was beautiful, light brown in color without a hint of blackness. The see was shallow, but rough. The best part was, that within site there was no one other than us. We sat there with a couple of beers and enjoyed the serenity of the place. Had a little ussal pao for lunch and then came back to the shore. By evening we were inside the water. It was shallow up to a long distance. The resort people had instructed not to go far as there were some sudden depths and the pull was strong. Apart from us, that deep there was a small group of some elderly people. After enjoying in the water and a game of cricket on the shore we settled on the shore.
r Kavalesad point. There was a deep valley closed from 3 sides and we were on top of a mountain. There were waterfalls everywhere, some small while others big, but all flowing deep into the valley. It was a beautiful view. One interesting thing was that if we tried to throw an empty bottle of water into the valley, it came back. It sounded like saying, “Please do not litter”. It had started drizzling by then. We had tea in a hut shop and after clicking some more pics left for Belgaum.
