It was an Alibaug Trip / Feb 2012

To Alibaug Feb 2012

Mumbai to Rewas

0800 hrs we (sebastian & vaibhav) reached Mumbai Port - 'Ferry Wharf'; aka 'Bhaucha Dhakka'.  There was some doubt regarding taking bikes on a ferry to Alibaug. So just to confirm, YES; One can load motorbikes onto a ferry and unload for an extra Rs110. The ticket counter opens at 0815 hrs and already a ferry  (ML Faiz) was waiting . Two hours later (1030 hrs) we reached Port Rewas and unloaded the Bajaj Avenger.

Rewas to Kihim

We exited the port. Outside there is a small gang of autorickshaws waiting for passengers. We ate at the only restaurant  there (ehh ok. but pricy). We rode towards Alibaug, courtesy- nokia maps. A 'Kihim beach' soon appeared on the map. On a hot sunny day,the sun was blazing and the wind was blowing. So based on first comes first ,we detoured towards Kihim Beach which was 30 mins away from port. I counted 4 bikes and 2 cars parked near the beach..so practically deserted as compared to the beaches in Mumbai.

Kihim is clean, a bit rocky towards the right, but the shore is long. Water sports were the next thing in the mind. There is a Banana Boat ride, jet ski, somemore and Kayaking. Oh yes there was no thinking over (memories from 'man vs wild' just swept in). "Kayaking it is!" and Vaibhav agreed.  Geared in fashionable shorts and jackets strapped, we dragged the yellow kayak offshore. Sitting onto it was a trick of its own. Soon we set sail in the slim boat. There was just one paddle, which was enough really. The guy on the jet ski told us not to go beyond a floating tyre which was pretty far from where we were right now. "OK boss!"

The Yellow Kayak

 I paddled halfway towards the tyre. The kayak swayed from side to side ridding on the waves. A good distance away from the shore the dread of going overboard was riveting. Legs placed both sides and skilled paddling helped balance the little shaky boat. We took turns,  I steered myself to face the shore and handed the paddle to him. Turning the kayak was a scary ordeal at times when the kayak tried to flip on us as it was now parallel to the waves (while making a 180). He rowed and rowed and soon we were past the floating tyre.  I could still make out the figures of people on the shore. Soon I had a go on the paddle and we went on ahead towards a red flag which was barely distinctable from the tyre. 40 mins have passed by and Vaibhav Finally got to the flag. I could no longer see the people on the shore, it was now just a distant landmass. We were 2kms or maybe more away from the shore on a small yellow kayak.  The sea ahead looked endless. I tired to fathom about how many fathoms below the seabed lay.  The sun was too hot and I tried to wet my face and hands occasionally. We took a break and just sat there. Sea water suddenly felt colder, I feared of some under water current. The sea was pulling the boat inwards. After a good rest, I took over the paddle and started rowing towards the shore. I thought of the movie Cast Away. Halfway back towards the floating tyre, on manoeuvring the boat 180 deg, we caught a wave and the kayak capsized! I held a breath seconds before hitting water. The water was cool and I was amazed with the peace of mind I still kept.  With rather ease we came up and grabbed onto the kayak before it swam away. I remember we didn't hurry up to get onto the kayak, the cool water was a real nice change. I grabbed onto the sides and pushed myself onto the surf board like boat. Getting on it sure wasn't a piece of cake.  Soon enough, the  jet ski guy came up to check on us and left once we assured him that we both can swim and will be fine. Vaibhav got on and we set sail but agreed to next time purposely capsize! It was a fun rush!  While he rowed,I placed both feet onto the kayak's nose to make it sway uncontrollably :) We soon passed the floating tyre and overturned a couple of times. Vaibhav decided to swim the rest and I tired to stand on it, but the would-be surfer fell. I got the paddle and rowed towards shore and parked it on the beach. We competed holding breath the longest.  My stopwatch clocked 1 min 53 secs! A huge improvement from the 45secs achieved  in the 'swiming pool' days. Swam a while more and exited the sea.

Kihim to Nagaon(or was it Akshi?) Beach

1330 hrs we left for Alibaug city. Several guest houses on the way. The nearest beach from here was Nagoan beach. There were awesome coniferous trees along the shoreline . This beach was also pretty deserted. For the next water sport we took on two jet skis, a Yamaha zx2000. A little into the sea, I got possession of the handle bars & accelerator . Jumping the waves and quick maneuvering tricks made the 5 min (or seemed 2mins) ride worthwhile. Later a jump into the sea was refreshing. Swam and held breath holding contests again. I could not  top the 1 min 53secs.

Above Beach to Alibaug beach

Well we came all the way to Alibaug and so couldn't miss out "The" Alibaug beach. The jet ski guys had told that this beach was the only 'Chowpatty' in Alibaug. I wondered what a 'Chowpatty' actually meant . Dry clothes later, the bike left for Alibaug beach.

1630. Alibaug beach wasn't so great, it gave the likes of a creek. Crowded and filled with horse carts. Just right to it was some Killa(fort). We took some pictures and moved on to Rewas Port.

Rewas to Mumbai

I parked the bike and Vaibhav got the tickets to head home. The port was empty, as in; no other bikes that we saw in the morning were around. A ferry was already parked there, but was going for Blah( i don't remember) The port was old and the walls covered in mollusk and coral.

We were kind of tired from the day's excursion.

1830. The last ferry to Mumbai arrived with motley group of passengers. And what do you know, Its ML Faiz again. The bike was loaded on it's roof. I asked a guy if they would wait for other passengers. Soon after, the ferry set sail. We three were the only passengers onboard! I imagined having booked the whole ferry to ourselves. We were on the roof now. A cold breeze blew and sea gulls chased behind. Soon enough we felt refreshed. The sight of the birds were spectacular but my mobile camera couldn't capture high speed photographs,

I kept trying though. After sunset at 1900hrs,Vaibhav headed down for a nap. I chatted up with the "captain" and later managed to get 15% battery charged.  A cargo ship was still unloading coal onto a tug boat. Soon Mumbai lights were much clearer. The reflection of red and yellow lights from the Port made colorful squiggly lines on the seaface.

At 2020 hrs, the ferry parked at Bhaucha Dhakka. We were the last to arrive and the Port gates closed behind us. Vaibhav was driving, when I spotted this awesome looking bike. So we drove back and took pictures of the Harley. I continued the drive from there. Priorly, I had a few minutes of experience driving an Avenger. I started off from port road and drove uptill Hub,Goregaon east. The ride was relatively comfortable.  Some fries and burger later we parted.

On the way home, I tried to comeup with clever anecdotes to end this post.

FirePath: Why you might like the movie or not

Saw it last night(5-feb2012) so I will account in details before the images erase from my mind.
Agneepath, another feather in Mr.karan johar's fedora.

The movie starts of with loud drums and people enjoying Dahi Handi in the tiny island of Mandwa. The villagers here make salt and earn a honest buck and live on the rock shores of the island. Our young hero runs to climb the summit of a human pyramid (loud spirited drums in background). His father(maseterji) ,a Local school teacher, is a highly respected and honourable citizen.

Kancha(sanju baba) is bald wears a single ear ring and all inked up. He is the son of the land lord (or king?) here. He starts of walking from the dock sporting a balck sadu robe holding a gita and a cigar( loud drums again). He soon breaks down in front of a piece of mirror on seeing his reflection (chilhood issues).

A typical bollywood framing and Masterji(Dinanath Chauhan), with his uncanny way of explaining, is done for. The villagers with burnt torches gather arround a tree and the undertaker himself(kancha) hangs him while young Vijay dinanath chauhan watches on (the horror huh!?). So now master out of the way, Kancha plans of usurping the farm lands for cultivatting cocaine!!

Vijay and family goes to Mumbai. Mom delivers a girl child on the streets in a make shift sari camp. He kills a cop at early age and joins Rishi kappor (name: some lal mullah? occupation: sells under 18 girls and drugs) Vijay grows up to become Hritik. He has left all ties with mommy and lil sister( she dosnt know about vijay).

In the movie Cops are strange creatures. Most are dirt cheap corrupt cops, but also there is a DCP ,Om puri, who is super honest. Who is seen desperately requesting permission from a politician (a home minister who is also dirt corrupt and at times does the actual dirty work too) to deal with police stuff (crime, man slaughter , human trafficking and drugs). The cops dont seem to give a rats ass about doing anything about criminal activities (maybe cause the minister isn't letting them to??) There are some scenes with media personnel interviewing and putting up tough questions (keeping up with current movie trends) .Later in a police presentaion by Om puri; Rishi kapoor, Kancha are shown as top dealers in drugs and he goes on to speak of a new comer( Rhitik) whoes only picture he has is of 15 years ago (why?)!  He soon goes over board giving a flattering intro till the camera reaches and zooms in on Vijay's biceps and zoom out.

Later we see Om puri(DCP) enquiring about Vijay's life issues and plans. It seems as if Om puri is writting a biography on Vijay. ( couldnt grasp why? and why they were friends/? )

Kali ( P Chopra) could not pull of the 'gawti tapori  girl' role with her perfect features and mascara face (if your are wondering, her acting didnt help either) She does not have much of a role in how the movie plays out.

Vijay kills off opponents from both his side and kancha's (a bit of brains seen in this plot). Rishi kapoor learns of Vijay's sister and is hell bent over selling her off (later on,even while death stares him in the eye)!! The same buyers from the earlier shot are shown again ,perhaps in the same attire. Vijay learns of this and he and a gang of eunuchs! yes sword wielding sari wearing eunuchs! (couldn't comprehend why and how from where?) march in cutting and slashing through Rishi's guards (have pistols) and buyers(some have suitcases).

After being rescued, young Siksha( sister) dosnt run away from the premises for dear life. But all she cares about is to know who the saviour was. Mommy is near and she screams " Bhai hai" and the drums and back ground sounds are turned off (for the audience to gather so much information) A lot of wasted minutes followed showcasing the reunion with songs and revolving camera shots.

 On the phone,Vijay speaks with Kancha about some coke deal and tells about his vist to the island. Kancha arranges for the best dancer arround (K Kaif). She dances with jerks and convulsions (the saying break a leg?) with a song to match. (note to self: If the movie lacks content the director opts for item songs to make up)

After the song there is a lot of bashing and trashing : from Kancha to Vijay. Finally they come to a deal( Vijay still tied upside down). (???) Rithik returns to Mumbai. Later Kancha learns of Vijay's true identity when mommy goes to report something to a corrupt cop (again didnt make sense for mommy to go to the police station in the 1st place).

So after another biography chat with Om puri, Vijay plans to marry PChopra. After marrige,while exiting the temple, Kancha's thugs shoot  in a mad spree with thier semi automatics. The eunuchs are the first victims giving Rithik and PC time to take cover. Rithik shoots all untrained thugs with a pistol. The camera then goes to PC; she is spilling blood from her belly. Some typical bollywood lines (one wonders which normal person says all that while dying!??) and PC cloes her eyes.

Vijay goes to Mandwa island for revenge. Lot of explosion at random places (oh this must be good I presumed). Fire and men flying from the explosions and Kancha watching the destruction (reminds of Ramaynan, lanka burning !!). Suddenly Kancha turns and finds Vijay sitting on his favourite chair. Vijay is apparently unarmed (hmm??) and starts throwing punches on Kancha. Kancha is prooven too strong for him. Later his mommy and sister are also shown captive by Kancha ( why not. no?)

Vijay gets several punches, knife stabs (3 if im right) and bloody slashes across his chest. Vijay is eating dust now, while Kancha drags him to the tree where masterji was hung.  Oh and what to say..camera zooms on the tree, sudden burst of energy & ultimately Viajy Dinanath Chauhan hangs Kancha up on the tree ( a little physics lesson: One cannot pull a weight greater than own without the use of pulley) . The Agneepath poem is sung with echo effect(good) , The end. (yes vijay dinanath chauhan dies or i hoped he would)

One will note that :-
Songs suck
Action is ok
Plot is redundant
To much drum playing
A typical bollywood movie
Kaif dances to an item song
To much drama from mom-son-sister
Agneepath poem in the end was good
A good built up for a religious badass villain
Villagers & society members were super enthusiastic