Ride to islands

I was thinking to explore untouched territory nearby mumbai for past few days. Sunday alarm striked at 3:30am. I wanted to sleep more but decided to wake up and ready. I had to travel by suburban local upto bhayandar. Luckily there was no rush in luggage compartment. After getting down at bhayandar station . I headed towards uttan. It was fresh morning time. My bicycle had accelareted. I passed by dry fish market. The road is in good condition. No too much traffic also. It was a relax ride. As soon as  entered uttan I really felt like I entered in goa. Narrow roads, greenery, churches. Sushegat morning. That means relax morning of village life. I did not believe that its just 8 to 10 km away from mumbai. My first spot was uttan light house. Way To reach there total ascend. That pumped up the heart very well.

Uttan Virgin beach

I experienced salty breeze there. I enjoyed fantastic sight of colorful uttan fishing village, uttan beach, manori beach. That was a good start. I moved to bhatebandar Velankani church through uttan village. The ride through narrow roads. What a place that was! Church is situated at sea shore. It was a very quiet place except relaxing sound of waves. In church premises there are steps to go up to "Japmalecha vadhstambh". Big cross situated there. From there I locked spectacular view of beach in my eyes.

Bhatebandar Church

View From the top

Uttan virgin beach is very quiet place. It was mind blowing. I rested on rock and set eyes at sea for some time. I wanted to visit chowk which is 4-5 km from uttan. After going to uttan naka one road is for chowk and another one for bhayandar. So I headed to chowk. Pali is the village in between. I heard a sound of band and people were dancing on traditional song. I thought the wedding ceremony but in early morning? I came to know that was Agera festival of east Indians. Stalks of paddy in hand and prayed for a good harvest. Its a harvest festival. I was riding to chowk along the coastal road.

Bombay duck (Bombil) 

Way to chowk

So many up and downs are there. Chowk is port. After chowk I got back to uttan. I faced stray dogs chase 2-3 time on the way.
I stopped and keep calm then dogs also go away. Now my tummy wanted some fuel for energy. After reaching uttan I had heavy breakfast and got charged for next journy. My plan was to go to manori. I left uttan and I headed to manori at uttan coastal police post. What a road that was fantastic totally covered with trees, no rays of sun penetrated from trees. I speed up bicycle. Once again feel of goa. Green lush was both sides of the road. I was fairly happy to ride on this road.

Gorai village road 

I passed the gorai village. The pagoda in left at far distance. After reaching to manori jetty I boarded in ferry with bicycle. I said good bye to manori. Rays of suns falling on pagoda top made it so beautiful. It was just shining.

Golden Pagoda

Manori Creek

In five minutes reached marve. I took the route towards madh island via hamala beach ,aksa, danapani.  Enroute INS hamala is there. Here also shade of trees on road helped a lot while riding. After reaching to madh Jetty took ferry for versova. The ferry was literally overloaded with bikes plus people. They dont take any safty precautions like life jacket(chalta hai tab tak chalne do) .
The distance is of few minutes. We can see versova at very close distance. Once reached versova entered city life from calm life. Then I decided to take roads only to avoid train rush and to save the time. I headed to Veera Desai Road to reach powai and journey ended at kanjurmarg.

So it was simply beautiful journy on islands untouched places nearby mumbai.  One more fabulous experience in my sack. It is a very happy ride.

--Mandar Sarang