DIU Road trip, Bus journey to Diu (Union Territory in India)

Monday, February 27, 2017

Diu is a Union territory located not very close to Mumbai. Total travel time is around 18 hours away, no matter which mode of transport you take. 

Bus to Diu

When people say Daman and Diu it gives one the understanding that they are close to each other but in reality they are around 9 hours away from each other. One of the reasons why people use the two of them together is because the official govt offices are in Daman. 

There are three ways of reaching Diu. Either travel by road, which is tagged on google maps. Or travel by train to Verangal and from there travel by bus. Or the last is by a flight to Diu airport. The air travel is the shortest, the other two modes of transport take more or less the same amount of time. 

After researching all our options we decided to travel by bus. That too a sleeper bus to Diu. 

Remember Fathima, she had accompained me to Chinchoti waterfall near Tungareshwar, joined me on my trip to Diu. We booked bus tickets to Diu, just a week in advance. We booked bus tickets from OP Travels, which is located on the Western Express Highway near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP). Buses to major towns in and around Maharashtra are available here. We got the tickets at a cost of Rs. 700 each for a non ac sleeper bus. Please note, that ac buses don't ply on this route. 

I boarded the bus at 1:30 PM at Andheri near the intersection of the metro line and the western express highway. Thanks to the traffic jam, we reached Vasai around 4 PM. The bus was full and travelled by the Mumbai Ahmedabad highway. 

As the journey is long, you can do two things, either sleep all the way to Diu or play around on your phones. If you choose the later then do carry a power bank along for charge. One more thing, one can read a book too.

Day turned to Night and the weather changed, it started growing cooler in the bus too. Had to close the windows so that we don't feel the cool breeze. But the very next morning it became hot again.
The bus will take sufficient breaks at hotels for eating and refreshment purposes.

We stopped for breakfast the next morning and all I got to eat was this Fafda Jalebi. Jalebi I enjoyed as it is one of my favorite sweets but not Fafda. Hot tea to gulp it all down. 

Fafda and Jalebi

The road passes through fields. The color brown was all over the place. The roads were in good condition, which made the journey a pleasant one. 

The roads are tagged on google maps. 

Our bus broke down somewhere near the outskirts of Diu, hence we travelled by a auto rickshaw to reach Diu. This is the first time I have travelled by this mode of transport and it was fun. 

Though it is slow it will still get you to your destination.
First glimpse of Diu and it is a beautiful. Beautifully constructed roads which are totally deserted. The view of the sea in a distance was also amazing. 

We were dropped near the Diu Bus stand, from here buses ply to many towns in Gujarat. Buses ply to Mumbai too from here.
We got our self a place to stay near the bus stand premises. We got ourselves rooms at Hotel Galaxy. It cost us around 1200 bucks plus taxes each for non ac rooms. The ac ones cost around 1500 bucks plus taxes.  Which is pretty expensive. I guess it is the location that commands the money. It has a eatery in its premises, where food and liquor is available. Remember Diu is a Union Territory.
We freshened up in the room, had lunch and off course beer and then headed out to see Diu. 

As you go away from the Diu Bus Stand, the hotel prices drop. But then commuting to the Bus Stand, again will be a task. 

Diu has a lot of historical sites one can visit. I had made a note of the places I wanted to visit on the trip. I had St Paul's Church, Diu fort, Fortress of Panikota, Gangeshwar  Temple, Maida Caves, Diu Museum, Shell Museum, Church of St Francis d Assisi, INS Khukhri.

I didn't have the beaches on my list, as they don't amuse me much. It is just the names and the color of the sand of the beach that changes.

Our mode of transport to Diu from where the bus brokedown

Auto Rickshaw are available outside the Diu Bus stand on hire. One has to negotiate the rates with them depending upon the places one wants to cover. The rates differ from place to place 

We negotiated and got a rickshaw at a cost of Rs. 500 to see the places mentioned above.

The time was now 3 PM on my watch. We had to hurry if we wanted to cover all the places. 

The rickshaw driver first took us to Diu Fort.

Chinchoti Waterfall in Vasai, near Tungareshwar in Thane district of Maharashtra

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Chinchoti Waterfall is located in Vasai East on the Chinchoti Hill Range. The closest hill range being the Tungareshwar. I had a great time shooting lifeforms in Tungareshwar. Chinchoti Waterfall can reached both from Vasai and Naigaon Railway station on the Western line.

I had been to Chinchoti a couple of years ago, we lost the jungle trail and hence could not reach the waterfall so  we had to settle down in the moving waters and then head back home. I didn't want history to repeat itself once again.

Fathima who had joined me to my trips to Diu and Junagadh, joined me. Two's co. 

Fathima and Me

 
We metup at Naigaon Railway Station at 8:15 AM. Headed to the sharing rickshaw stand outside the station in the east. It cost us Rs. 20 each for a ride. Four people sit in the backseat and two next to the driver. No wonder it is so cheap. Congested ride, I should say. LOL.

The ride was a bumpy one till the highway. Finally in around 25 minutes we reached the Chinchoti Rickshaw Stand. Alighted there and asked for directions. The locals told us the follow the tar road till it meets the muddy path. We did just the same. Here comes the Rain. I was hoping the rain continues as it would be much cooler while we were climbing uphill. 

Chinchoti Waterfall

We walked on the narrow tar road, checking with locals at various intervals, just that we were on the right path. Finally we reached the muddy path. It took  us around 25 minutes to reach here.
We were surrounded by dogs on all sides, who wanted us to feed them biscuits. As they were fed biscuits by the people who come to visit the waterfalls. They refused to let us to, till they were fed biscuits. We fed them biscuits. Post that they accompanied us. 

We asked the locals for directions, as there were no signboards in the jungle. They asked us to follow the broad path as it would take us to the waterfall. No right and no left turn. We did just the same.

In the trail, we had to cross ankle length and calf length water at various intervals. It is advisable not to wear shoes, as they are bound to soak in the water. It is good to wear sandals / floaters, but again there is a high possibility that the strap might break. We saw shoe sole, sandal straps, wafer wrappers along the way. So we knew that we were not lost. We also saw arrow marks on the stones though not at regular intervals, it was a sign to follow the path to reach the waterfall. 

After a walk in the jungle for almost a hour we were finally at the waterfall. We couldn't take much photos as it was raining throughout the journey.

Chinchoti Waterfall

Apart from us, there were just three others there. The waterfall was amazing, different from the ones I have been so far.

The water was ice cold, so we decided not to get wet in it, but we were soaked in water due to the spray that comes along with the waterfall.  It was getting colder by the minute. The sound of the water was all that I could hear. The water falling from the hills, looked like God was pouring milk down the hills. 

We sat there and enjoyed the view of the hills and the greenery around. Had refreshments and then decided to  head back.The time was now 12 PM. We had to cross the waist length water to reach the trail. Due to the strong flow of the water, Fathima fell a couple of times in the water. I too was drenched in the ice cold water. Finally we reached the trail again. 

By this time there were many who had come to see the waterfall. Thank God since we came early, we could enjoy the waterfall without any disturbance. 

Chinchoti Waterfall

We then started our return journey back to the Chinchoti sharing rickshaw stand. It took us around 2 hours to reach the stand. 

Instead of heading back to Naigaon station, we decided to go to Vasai station. The sharing fare is Rs.30 a seat. Maximum 5 passengers. Finally we reached Vasai station and from there headed back home.

Finally I managed to explore Chinchoti, which I was not able to do earlier. I had loads of fun too. Looking forward to more waterfalls. 

Thanks for reading my blogs. The words highlighted in red are hyperlinks to other posts on my blogs. 

Bhivpuri Waterfall (Umroli) at Bhivpuri near Karjat

Monday, August 3, 2015

I have been on many trips in many seasons, but I haven't covered many waterfalls, which is why I decided to visit Waterfalls around Mumbai in rains. As rains is the best time to visit them. 

Different shades of Green

I had shared my waterfall itinerary with Manohar, Dominic and Neha. Our itinerary was more or less the same. We then started our planning to visit the waterfalls, but due to some reason or the other the plans were getting cancelled. A couple of weeks passed by but no plans were getting materialized. I feared that soon the rains would be over and we would not visit a single waterfall.

A day in advance we decided to visit the waterfall. Fantastic Four (Manohar, Neha, Urvashi and Me). Manohar, Neha and I had done Jawahar Waterfall, last year. Urvashi and I had done Chinchoti Waterfall a couple of years ago. 

Manohar, Urvashi, Neha and Me

Our Itinerary had the waterfalls of Vangani, Kalote, Bhivpuri, Palasdari and Zenith in Khopoli. To cover five waterfalls in one trip is difficult if we travel by train, so we decided to travel by car so that we can cover as many as possible.

On most of our trips we rely big time on GPS and then we get lost. This time was no different. Time cost us dearly. We kick started our road trip from Ghatkopar Railway Station at 7:30 AM. Instead of taking the Karjat route we traveled on the Kasara route and that cost us dearly. Finally we decided to ask locals around for directions to Khopoli so that we don't waste any more time. Not sure which road we were traveling by, but we wanted to get to the waterfalls. 

Neha and Urvashi with backdrop of the waterfall

The weather around us had started changing now. We had left the hot sun and civilization back in Kalyan and were now being surrounded by hills, fields and houses in a distance. The weather had changed. The sun hid himself behind the rainy clouds. But no sign of the rains yet. 

No sooner had we crossed Neral Railway Station. (Base for Matheran) had it started raining heavily. The wipers were at their fastest, but we could hardly see the road. Soon the rain was gone and weather was pleasant. Different shades of green all around us. The color green was very soothing and refreshing to my eyes. Something very similar to Malsej Ghat and Jawahar. 

We traveled by the Neral-Badlapur Road, then onto the Karjat-Murbad Road to reach Umroli. 

Panoramic view of the waterfall

The hills had their heads in the clouds, the brightly colored houses stood out on the gloomy day. I had to switch on HDR mode to get the additional brightness. 

Different shades of Green

Bhivpuri Waterfall, was our first pit stop. It can be reached by boarding a Karjat local on the central railway line. Alighting at Karjat Railway Station, crossing over to the eastern side and boarding a rickshaw. Rickshaw fare can vary. Urvashi had asked one of the rickshaw drivers and he informed it will cost Rs 50. from Karjat Station to base village of waterfall i.e Umroli.

Crowd at Bhivpuri Waterfall

We parked the car at the base village (Umroli) to see the waterfall. The locals let out barren portions of their land for parking purposes but for a fee. Parking cost was Rs.50. To top it there is a fee to see the waterfall. Rs. 10 per person. From when did Waterfalls become chargeable? was the question in everyone's mind. The locals charge you Rs.10 but don't provide you with a receipt for the same. Cheap Jacks trying to make additional income, thanks to the waterfall. 

It is advisable to visit the waterfalls on the weekdays as the crowd is less then. After crossing two streams and then climbing up the hillock reaches one to the waterfall. It is advisable to wear sandals or floaters.  

Bhivpuri Waterfall

The different shades of green was so soothing to my eyes. The farms being cultivated in a distance, the hill locks covered with grass and the slippery and muddy path leading to the waterfall made a nice trek, We didn't break a sweat. But no rains either.

There was roadside make shift stalls selling cold drinks, tea and hard drinks along with corn smoked on charcoal and vada pav. 

Bhivpuri Waterfall in the background

The waterfall area was packed with people. Couples, friends, families who had come in large nos. to sit below the waterfall. The crowd up here was unbearable and hence we decided to visit Kalote waterfall in Karjat. 

As people we asked didn't know the whereabouts of it we went ahead and visited Palasdhari Waterfall. 

Chinchoti Waterfall in Vasai (E)

Thursday, November 24, 2011

It was Hithakshi who suggested that we visit Chinchoti Waterfalls in Vasai. I checked out the place on the Internet and decided that a one-day trip to the place may prove to be a good outing. 

The blogs I had checked had warned that the approach roads were rather rough. One wrong move and you are bound to get lost in the forest hills, they had said. And that is exactly what happened to us. Read on to find out more about our lost expedition.

I circulated an email among my colleagues, hoping to drum up some enthusiasm for the trip. Only 3 people, including me, volunteered to go. The others backed out, fearing the heavy rains.

Group Photo, From Left: Vijay, Sanjay, Ashutosh, Me, Hithakshi and Urvashi

We planned to board the 6:23 am train from Andheri to Vasai and hire a rickshaw there to take us to the base village from where we were supposed to trek up to the top.

Later Hithakshi called me to say that it would be better if we trekked from Naigaon instead of Vasai, and we modified the plan accordingly. Ashutosh and I were supposed to board the train at Andheri and Hithakshi was to board at Bhayandar, two stops before Naigoan.

It turned out that our tribe was increasing. Ashutosh said that three others would be joining us on this trip, namely, Sanjay from Bandra, Vijay from Goregaon and Urvashi from Borivali.

Water gushing down the waterfall

Ashutosh and I waited on platform No 1 at Andheri station as we thought that the train was a slow train. The 6:20 am train had just left and the 6:29 am train was expected. We wondered if the 6:23 am train had been cancelled.

My sixth sense told me to check the indicator and to my surprise the 6:23 am train to Virar was expected to arrive on platform No 4. We raced up the foot overbridge and were lucky to reach the platform just as the train pulled in.

Our predicament seemed to set the stage for a day of unusual excitement. At Goregaon, Vijay was supposed to board the train. Sanjay was already in the train in another compartment.

From Left: Ashutosh, Vijay and Sanjay on the rocks

Vijay made the same assumption that we did, and waited on Platform no 1 for the train. When the train arrived on platform no 3, Ashutosh yelled out to him and I watched horrified as Vijay crossed the tracks to board the train. That was a most unwise thing to do. Vijay was very lucky as there was no train passing by as he rushed to board the train. My dear readers, I plead with you. ALWAYS use the foot overbridge. NEVER cross the tracks as it can kill you.

Meanwhile, Sanjay, who had made a few phone calls to Ashutosh and Vijay, misunderstood the plan and got down at Goregaon to board the train. He ended up arriving two trains later, after we alighted at Naigaon.

Urvashi boarded the train at Borivali without any confusion, followed by Hithakshi who boarded at Bhayandar.

From Right: Urvashi, Hithakshi and Me on the rocks

It was around 8 am by this time and raining heavily. The platform was deserted. We marched off to the east side of the station to hire a rickshaw to Chinchoti Waterfalls. At the rickshaw stand, the drivers warned us not to go to the falls, as it had been raining very heavily and many areas there were submerged under water. They advised us to cancel our plans and go home.

Having gone through so much trouble to get here, none of us were in the mood to return. A rickshaw driver volunteered to take us there for a price of Rs 15 per seat to which we readily agreed.

Six of us, one driver and one small rickshaw, capable of carrying three passengers. The six of us, however, managed to squeeze in.Wonder how? Read on...Ashutosh, Urvashi, Hithakshi and Vijay sat on the back seat. Sanjay and I sat on either side of the driver on the edge of the seat. I can still remember the pain of managing my weight on that thin edge of the seat. Sitting in that cramped position for around 30 minutes, we were thoroughly soaked by the time we reached. On the way, we could see less of land and more of water, thanks to the rains. Schools and houses were flooded.

Scenic view

Near the Bhiwandi highway, the driver announced that he would go no further as the highway was flooded with vehicles. We alighted there and began trekking towards the waterfall.

We had some tea at a tapri, a small corner joint next to the highway, where Ashutosh served us his Complan biscuits. We had never heard of Complan biscuits before and we ate them unenthusiastically, not knowing when we would be able to eat our next meal.

It was so cold here that Hithakshi could actually see vapour coming out of my mouth when I spoke, and the droplets of rain on my head looked like snowflakes from a distance.

Another scenic view

After taking directions from the locals, we decided to continue on our journey in search of Chinchoti Waterfalls. We walked for about 1½ hour to the base village.

The village was totally green in colour. Some parts of it were submerged under water. It was beautiful but I could not click photographs because of the heavy rains. :(

The flow of the water was very strong as it was coming down the mountains. Again the villagers warned us to go home. But we refused to pay heed and went ahead anyway.

Water from the Waterfall in the Village

We walked on, without directions, and got lost. We started walking through paddy fields in knee-deep muddy water. My suede trekking shoes were thoroughly soaked. On seeing us in the distance tramping through their fields, the farmers came rushing towards us, furious.

I felt sorry for them but the damage done by us out of our ignorance could not be undone. They shouted at us and we apologised. Later they showed us the way to the waterfalls.

The way up was via a stream coming down the hill. Once again we had to wade through ankle-deep water.

One more scenic view

After losing our way more than once, we asked another group of trekkers for directions and were finally put on the right track.

We could hear the water gushing down the rocks towards the left but could not see it due to the thick green cover. Suddenly we saw the water gushing down madly. I slipped and was about to go down. Fortunately, Vijay, who was right behind me, pulled me up just in time.

Worse, I slipped at the very same place on our way back from the waterfall.

We stopped for a while in the water to relax and recoup our energies. We managed to stay afloat amid the rocks, but we could feel the pressure of the water rising. I could see the water coming down from the hillside dashing against the rocks. It would be foolhardy to stay in the water any longer. Having regained our strength, we decided to return to the village.

By the time we reached the base village, it had stopped raining. So I took out my camera and began shooting.

We then boarded a rickshaw to Naigaon station, and took a train to Bhayandar station where we got off to have our lunch. We ate to our hearts’ content and then dispersed.

Tungareshwar is also located in the same hill range.

Other waterfalls I have visited are Jawahar- Dabhosa Waterfall, Zenith Waterfall, Kalote Waterfall.