A road trip to Velas Agar was like entering the kingdom of a GPS-induced maze– thanks to Tamhini ghat's 'hairpin' turns that left Google Maps equally bewildered. The newly paved roads were a blissful joyride, practically begging for a carpool karaoke session.
As nostalgia struck on passing Mangaon general hospital, memories of my medical internship flooded back. Ah, the days of navigating the healthcare maze with shortages of syringes, medicines, and an Everest-sized paperwork pile! The chief doctor, a multitasking maestro, taught us the art of medicine amidst this chaos – a true healthcare hero.
Flashback to the evenings of my internship, where the locals' advice on snake avoidance led to my unique stomp-walk technique. Little did I know, fast forward to today, my regular strides could trigger a snake's seismic shock retirement plan!
Our Velas Agar escapade elevated to the pinnacle of luxury as we found ourselves in sea-facing tents, basking in the glory of a 'glamping' experience. The view was a masterpiece – a silver sea stretched beneath a flawless blue sky, adorned with well-mannered sea gulls perched on rocks. Unlike their European counterparts, these gulls refrained from orchestrating a chaotic dash for our fish and wada !
With the evening settling in and our bellies content from a sumptuous dinner, the resort transformed into a karaoke battleground. The place was buzzing with enthusiastic crooners, each taking their turn at the mic. The cacophony of so-called singing became the soundtrack of the night !
The contrast between our Velas Agar glamping experience and our camping escapade in the Norfolk area of the UK was stark. From wrestling with tent poles and lugging mattresses in Norfolk to Velas's comfortable abode with AC and fans, it was a leap into luxury. Fond memories surfaced, especially the surreal night when a runaway cow decided to inspect our tent, catching us off guard at midnight. Nothing says adventure like a surprise bovine visitor with horns peeping through your tent flap!
As the night unfolded, the serenity in Velas Agar was surreal, with only the sound of sea waves, chirping crickets, and a distant barking dog. After a delightful dinner and karaoke session, I succumbed to sleep, only to be awakened by a cacophony of snoring from neighboring tents. The snores, resembling a nocturnal orchestra, presented a spectrum of patterns that could rival a sleep clinic's audio library. Thank goodness for ear pods – my refuge from the symphony of sleep apnea diagnostics! Sorry, Kiran, for subjecting you to my own nocturnal symphony.
Our next adventure led us to the 'Golden Ganpati' temple the next day. An interesting twist to its history unfolded – the golden deity had fallen victim to thieves a few years back. Though the culprits were nabbed, the gold had already melted away into the shadows. Undeterred, the temple now proudly houses a beautiful new gold murti, guarded around the clock by CCTV security, ensuring Ganpati Bappa enjoys his golden years without any unsolicited adventures.
Amidst our stay, we indulged in a gastronomic delight with an array of delicacies – fish, ghawan, ( घावन)misal pav, (मिसळ पाव)ukdiche modak(उकडीचे मोदक), sol kadhi(सोल कढी), kokum sarbat, (कोकम सरबत) shahalyache paani,(शहाळ्याचे पाणी)bore ( बोरे )avale(आवळे), and amba poli(आंबा पोळी)Yet, beyond these culinary wonders, it was the simple joys of nature and the warmth of the local residents that truly captured our hearts.
Velas Agar, where the flavours of nature and hospitality blended to create an unforgettable experience.
MKP
15/1/24
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