Sunday, January 29, 2012

Ganpatipule

Guhagar - Ganpatipule, Jan 28, 2012.

58 km

There was a temple or mosque near where I stayed. Around five or so in the morning they started chanting, and woke me up much too early.

When I finally gave up trying to go back to sleep I went and asked for breakfast. It was 8 o'clock and I was told I had to wait until 9. I really wanted to get going before ten o'clock for a change, to enjoy that invigorating morning cycling. So I just had a cup of tea and moved on. In the village proper I stopped at a small restaurant for some idlys.

Riding out from Guhagar was very beautiful along small roads. But it was a mistake taking the road closest to the coast. I had to come over a sizable hill on an absolutely awful gravel road. Even pushing my bike uphill was difficult. And when it finally turned down it was not much fun either. I think I spent well over an hour on that dreadful part of the road.


Bad road

I crossed another river by a ferry boat, and landed at Jaigad jetty. In the village there we got a fine veg thali for lunch. And there was another uphill of course before rolling in to Ganpatipule.

G is a well established holiday place. Today being the saturday of an extended weekend I was a little concerned it may be difficult finding a room. I cycled down to the beach and started asking around. I was told to check with MTDC (Maharashtra Tourist Development Corp), sort of a very large tourist bungalow. But right by its entrance was a young man who asked me if I was looking for a room. He took me to his guest house, a five minute walk away. Here, at Kapil Lodge, I have the best room I have had in a long time, 800 Rs.

There are loads of Indian tourists in Ganpatipule, many hotels, guest houses and restaurants. I decide to have a rest day here. In the evening I met another Swedish cyclist, a guy on a simple Indian bike with no gears. No wonder he had some minor knee problems and was concerned it could worsen if he push the uphills too hard.

There are ATM's in Ganpatipule. I used the one at BOI, but saw signs for at least two more.

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