Since last year I have been planning to Go... Goa, but in this summer my planning comes true, this scorching summer definitely not good for long Highway ride but Passion and Bulls joins the hand together who cares ?
Day One : 1st May 2014
Suraj's Desert Storm
As per plan 1st of May 2014 sharp 0400 hrs left home along with my Blackbird, weather was cloudy, due to heavy rain on previous night roads was slippery, at 0445 hrs reached Kasaragod and waited for my new touring companion Mr. Suraj after five minutes he reached with his stunning Desert Storm, next picked my colleague Karthik from home and hit the NH 17.
Sri Mookabika Temple
Temple Elephant
Shops selling pooja items
According to plan first destination was Kollur, around 0700 hrs reached Mulky, hotel was just opened.. hot wada and strong chai recharged our energy and headed towards Kollur via Kundapur. At 1030 hrs reached parking lot of Kollur Temple. God's sake there were no rush in temple, within a hour got Darshan of Goddess Mookambika and continued the journey.
Taking rest near Baindur
Our next destination was Murdeshwara just 65Km far from Kollur. Around 1230 hrs reached Baindur, 30Km stretch of Kollur - Baindur Rod, superb winding road nestled between forest and small village breeze to ride, from thereafter took N.H 17 and headed towards Murdeshwar.
Shiva Statue at Murdeshwar
At 1330hrs reached Murdeshwar while searching the parking place for our 'Bulls.. a friendly security person helped us to find a place, he asked where would like to go ? because temple was closed, it will open only by 1500 hrs, our first preference was fueling our stomach, so decided to go "Naveen beach restaurant". After taking Punjabi Thali started exploring the scenery around temple.
Naveen Beach Restaurant
Temple
Statues
Geetopadesham
At 1500 hrs left the place and hit the N.H 17, our next aim was reach Gokarna before sunset. Only problem was hot summer, scorching hot sun almost roasted us, only thing we can do in this situation was drink a lot of water to maintain body fluids, and take a break at every half an hour under the tree shade.
Beach View
After passing Kumta a sign board directing to Gokarna was found it showed 10km to Gokarna, so diverted on that road, on the way took some snaps of Salt fields. One of the junction took wrong direction and went 4kms while enquiring some villagers directed us the right way.
Salt Fields
At last around 1700 hrs reached Gokarna city, it was very crowded due to "Thursday Market Fair" at last manage to get lodge just opposite to the Bus stand. The person who take care of the lodge was very keen to give Deluxe room to us but we politely refused and took ordinary one, the spacious 3 cott room is enough for us to spend just one night, he charged Rs.1300 for that, little bit expensive.
Om Beach
Rocks
As soon as dumped our luggage at Hotel room escaped to OM beach just 6km far from the town, just crossed the Market a Police Man who was waiting in front of Police Aid post signaled us to stop for checking and asked the Registration papers, but both of us kept the papers at Hotel room so, Karthik went back and brought the paper. After checking the papers he advised us, Whenever you traveling always keep your registration papers in hand to avoid fine. Good Lesson!
Sunset
At 1800 hrs reached OM beach and took spend half an hour over there, beach was moderately crowded, boating facilities are also available but I don't like one thing that the whole garbages and waste are dumped over there. Many cows and buffaloes are wandering between the rocks to eat the waste. It brings ugly impression to such a beach.
After the sun set went back to Gokarna town, and visited famous Shiva temple, which was located in front of Gokarna beach. There were no parking facility provided in front of the temple so we parked our 'Bulls in the beach. When we parked our motorcycle rain start to drizzle.
After visiting temple went back to the lodge freshened up and took dinner at restaurant located beneath the lodge went to sleep.
Day Two : 2nd May 2014
Vacated lodge at 0500 hrs after basic check up and chain lube to our 'Bull's started roll on. Our aim is to reach Panjim by noon. Total Distance between Gokarna to Panjim 166 Km, easily coverable. As usual on the way find superb Sunrise scenery and stopped for snaps.
While reaching near Karwar beaches welcomed us, after crossing the Karwar port reached town. It was 0800 hrs. First preference to have a breakfast, so enquired a local peoples and managed to find a small Hotel. Karwar is well planned city wide roads and buildings gives decent look.
After having Hot Vada and Idlis with a cup of Strong.... tea went to Rabindranath Tagore beach which is located on the skirt of N.H 17. Good parking facilities available but no one found to collect the fee, because early morning nobody visits the beach except fisherman joggers.
After crossing scenic bridge of Karwar which built on Kali river reached Sadashivgad fort. On the way visited Durga Devi temple where we asked the direction to the fort.
It was very small fort, but must to visit place, because from the top of the fort one will get aerial view of the Kali river and picturesque landscape. One private resort also built inside the fort. After taking few snaps hit the road.
As soon crossed Karwar Goa board welcomed us, once crossed the border every thing started to change, greenery, plastic free roads, language, people, police and everything. Even for Petrol we have to pay only Rs.59 per Liter... great no?
Madgaon is one the major city and railway junction of Goa. While crossing the one of the busy street a pedestrian asked me by looking my 'Bird...How was the bike good No? I have one Thunderbird not this but old model, very comfortable... After a while another White beard scooterist following 'Desert Storm' and asking Karthik where did you come from ? what was the milage ? where are you going? etc. The same man crossed us and saying to his pillion "Dekho... Eh bhi Kerala se aaye hue hai'. (Look theya are also come from Kerala).
At around 1330 hrs reached Panjim city our next target was to get good lodging inside the city. After crossing 1 Km inside the city managed to found a Two wheeler parking board just opposite to Army 2 Signals office.
Oh My god we were stunned by looking the small parking area in the roadside, there were no attender or fee collector, all the vehicle were parked in such a neat manner, I have never seen such disciplined parking anywhere outside of Goa. For Government vehicles separate parking area was provided.
Yes our next aim is to find a good Lodging around city, so parked 'Desert storm' in the parking area and me and Suraj went to search of a good Hotel, after half an hour able to find Hotel Vipashree a decent lodge , located opposite to Mahalakshmi Temple.
After freshened up and took a lunch in Gujarati Hotel and start to explore the Old Goa, our aim was to visit Dr. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary located at Chorao, to catch the ferry area but, uncertainty about ferry timing cancelled it and wandered around Old Goa, and came back to Panjim.
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Panjim town and Bank of River Mandovi, Casino ships were sailing on the river and local ferry's are travelling on it.
Around 1730 went Mirmar beach just a km from the main town. After the sunset come back to the lodge and took rest.
At around 2000 hrs had good dinner in restaurant and walked through the bank of River Mandovi, and went back to the Lodge. After 2130 whole Panjim city is sleeping, no vehicle, no traffic, no pedestrians only thing alive is Casino ships sailing in the River Mandovi, on night it looks fabulous.
Day Two : 2nd May 2014
Empty Road
Vacated lodge at 0500 hrs after basic check up and chain lube to our 'Bull's started roll on. Our aim is to reach Panjim by noon. Total Distance between Gokarna to Panjim 166 Km, easily coverable. As usual on the way find superb Sunrise scenery and stopped for snaps.
Sunrise
Dogs playing in morning
Our 'Bulls
While reaching near Karwar beaches welcomed us, after crossing the Karwar port reached town. It was 0800 hrs. First preference to have a breakfast, so enquired a local peoples and managed to find a small Hotel. Karwar is well planned city wide roads and buildings gives decent look.
Near Karwar Port
After having Hot Vada and Idlis with a cup of Strong.... tea went to Rabindranath Tagore beach which is located on the skirt of N.H 17. Good parking facilities available but no one found to collect the fee, because early morning nobody visits the beach except fisherman joggers.
Karwar Town
The large panoramic beach view looks great. After taking few snaps continued our trip, In the beach Suraj got his favourite bird "Eagle' and started to shoot in his Canon 600D I don't know how many snaps he clicked, Me and Karthik prayed the God that don't send the Eagle in front of Suraj while riding the busy Highway....
View from small bridge
Fishermen at work!
Dogs....
View from the beach
Suraj's Favorite.......
Bridge Across the River Kali
After crossing scenic bridge of Karwar which built on Kali river reached Sadashivgad fort. On the way visited Durga Devi temple where we asked the direction to the fort.
Sadashivgad Fort Area
Durga Devi Temple
View from the temple
Fort Entrance
Ruined fort
Panoramic view from the top of the fort
Kali River bridge from the top
Welcome to Goa
Bridge Near Madgaon
Madgaon is one the major city and railway junction of Goa. While crossing the one of the busy street a pedestrian asked me by looking my 'Bird...How was the bike good No? I have one Thunderbird not this but old model, very comfortable... After a while another White beard scooterist following 'Desert Storm' and asking Karthik where did you come from ? what was the milage ? where are you going? etc. The same man crossed us and saying to his pillion "Dekho... Eh bhi Kerala se aaye hue hai'. (Look theya are also come from Kerala).
Park in the Panjim city
At around 1330 hrs reached Panjim city our next target was to get good lodging inside the city. After crossing 1 Km inside the city managed to found a Two wheeler parking board just opposite to Army 2 Signals office.
Panjim City traffic
Mandovi River bank
Yes our next aim is to find a good Lodging around city, so parked 'Desert storm' in the parking area and me and Suraj went to search of a good Hotel, after half an hour able to find Hotel Vipashree a decent lodge , located opposite to Mahalakshmi Temple.
After freshened up and took a lunch in Gujarati Hotel and start to explore the Old Goa, our aim was to visit Dr. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary located at Chorao, to catch the ferry area but, uncertainty about ferry timing cancelled it and wandered around Old Goa, and came back to Panjim.
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Old Goa Church
Ruined boat at Old Goa
Passenger ferry
Fishing
Ship
Casino Ships
Around 1730 went Mirmar beach just a km from the main town. After the sunset come back to the lodge and took rest.
Beach view
Kids play..
Sunset
At around 2000 hrs had good dinner in restaurant and walked through the bank of River Mandovi, and went back to the Lodge. After 2130 whole Panjim city is sleeping, no vehicle, no traffic, no pedestrians only thing alive is Casino ships sailing in the River Mandovi, on night it looks fabulous.
Night View
