BEACH

My Way On Highway: Day 20, Batata Vada, A Walk in the Sea and a Beautiful Fort in Alibag

Saba Shaikh

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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See

Kulaba Fort, built in 1680 by Shivaji
The white marbled Shri Vikram Vinayak Temple built by the Birlas

Do

Enjoy the Tonga ride on the beaches, take a dip in the sea, or simply relax

Eat

Savour delicious sea food that includes fresh pomfret, prawns, crabs, Bombay duck and lobster

Shop

Junk jewellery, bags, antiques and other knick knacks from the beach kiosks and local street markets

Trivia

Alibag is the weekend home for the rich and famous like Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Ratan Tata, among others

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Distance from Mumbai: 125 kilometers

Waking Up to the Birds

hotel samudra city alibag
Hotel Samudra City, Alibag

 

Having slept really well in our comfortable room at Hotel Samudra City, we woke up to the sound of a little bird knocking at our window. The quaint yet modern property is located amidst lush green surroundings just a short drive away from the charming Kihim Beach.

Going Local for Breakfast

local drink alibag
Go Jeera - The local drink of Alibag
 

Keen to try some local food, we took off to Alibag City and found a clean, vegetarian restaurant called Sumangal near the RTDC stand. This place is lovingly run by Eknath Arjun Mulek and his children. Our breakfast of batata vada and vada sambar accompanied by a local drink called Go Jeera cost us only 70 bucks!

Sun and Sand

alibag beach
Horse Cart Ride at the Alibag Beach

 

It was 11 am by the time we got to the scenic Alibag Beach. Forming an expansive bay in the Konkan land to the magnificent Arabian Sea, this one packs in thrills like water sports, quad biking and horse cart rides. Kudos to the locals here for keeping it so clean!

Walk in the Water

alibag beach
A walk to remember, indeed!

 

We walked through the low tides of the Arabian Sea to reach the famous Fort of Alibag. While we could have opted for a boat or horse ride, the walk through the sea was an unforgettable experience.

Kulaba Fort

Kulaba Fort of Alibag is like a swan song to the brave Shivaji Maharaj. It was built in the 17th Century right in the middle of the Arabian Sea by his Naval Chief. The imposing structure is made of stone and is remarkable for being a brilliant vantage point of the Arabian Sea. The temples here are still in good condition and the baori is green and gorgeous.

Slide to the Fun

After enjoying the extremely courteous services at Hotel Samudra City, we had to move in to a second hotel in Alibag (#FringeBenefitsOfBeingATravelWriter) which we loved equally. Called Big Splash, this comfortable 25-year-old property is best known for its water slides and hence, the name. The swimming pool set against the backdrop of coconut trees makes for a picturesque spot to unwind.

Alibag felt good to us. Now, we know why celebs like Sachin Tendulkar come here for the weekend!