Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai


Goa - Travel Diaries
I am sitting at a restaurant near home, having my dinner, as I write this. I had just returned from Goa, bike ride. 
Enjoying the sunrise
I decided to make the journey on Friday to attend a wedding. I really wanted to go, and ride on the highway overnight. After returning from work at 7 PM, I packed my stuff, had a power nap and started my journey at 8:30 PM. The highway was smooth and I could maintain a comfortable speed till Pune, where traffic slowed me down. After Pune, I was able to speed up again, but it was starting to get real cold now. I took my first halt at Satara, as the temperature started to dip unbearably. Dinner - Egg bhurji and chapatis served hot, and delicious. After dinner, I was ready for the next leg of the journey. Another 60 kms later, I halted for refueling. I was starting to feel very sleepy now. So I parked the bike at the petrol pump, and slept for an hour. 
Belgaum, return journey
I started again at 3:30 AM and reached Nipanni, just after Kolhapur at 5:00 AM. I needed tea. I walked into a dhaba there and got myself two hot cups of tea before dozing off for another couple of hours. By the time I woke up, it was 7 AM and sun had risen. I started the final leg of the journey and it was relatively easier riding in the day. From Belgaum, via the beautiful Chorla ghat, it was 9:30 AM by the time I reached home, just as everyone was about to leave for the wedding venue (I hadn't informed anyone as it was supposed to be a surprise.) The reactions were priceless! 
Kolhapuri chicken thali
It was good to catch up with everyone. After the wedding, I went off roaming with my cousin. I also got some sleep, again! We dined at this place called Viva Goa. Sea food was delicious. We were watching a football match between Mumbai and Goa. Everyone was dissappointed except me when we left, as Mumbai had won! I dozed off quickly after we got back coz I needed all the sleep before I made the return journey the next day. 
The jump shot
I woke up at 7:30 AM, and took my time to get ready and have breakfast. After refuelling, I started for Mumbai at 10:30 AM. Since it was day, there were plenty of opportunities to click pictures. I halted at will. The highway was a lot better in daylight, and the speed had increased considerably. I had some local cuisine for lunch at Kolhapur. A full tummy meant I didn't need to halt till after Pune. 
Take me home
I got tea and snacks at Pune before resuming the final part of the ride. I halted at Lonavala for a long time to click some slow shutter pictures of the traffic on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. From here, I piggy-backed another bikers' group till Panvel. It was a nice banter and kept my concentration up. I reached home at 9:30 PM - 11 hours. 
Lonavala
I wanted to ride to Goa ever since I got the bike, and I was finally able to. I did around 1100 kms in 2 days, attended the wedding that I intended to, and ticked off another wish from my to-do list! 

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