Day 4: Anjarle-Harnai-Dapoli-Male-Dhabol-Dhopale-Guhagar (via Enron)

After a pleasant stay @ Anjarle, left base by 7.00 after a cup of tea. Next stop was Harnai. The ride takes you along some breathtaking views of the sea with gulls/stalks feeding by the bay side on dried fish.

Harnai is not as pretty a place as Anjarle; but still beautiful. Stopped over for breakfast & then proceeded along the uphill route to Dapoli. This again is a rather steep uphill route; which can be covered in about 2 hours. Dapoli is a taluka with all facilities available. However, being Ambedkar Jayanti, elaborate preparations were on. Took a while to figure out the route to Dhabol. It is actually a prominent road (right turn) as you approach the town centre.

The road is being re-laid at many places. As a result, all of it is not a pleasant journey. Decided to skip lunch & push right through; hoping to find a place on route. After nearly 2 hrs & 15km of travel, reached a small nondescript hamlet of Male; with a tea stall & a small temple in the vicinity. Since it was past 1.00pm; had to take shelter from the heat. No sooner was I enjoying my morning cup of tea, did the front tyre burst open. Apparently, it was because of heat & the excess air that was filled in the morning.

From then on began a 45 min tyre operation, with almost entire ppl in the area joining in the proceedings; giving their suggestions. A local business man; came forward to help me repair the rupture & no sooner, was it done, ppl got back to doing their normal work. It is surely a magical experience; when people come forward to help you in such a desolate place. Unfortunately, I had consumed the last roll of film that was on me & had no way to capture the moment or those beautiful people who were part of the repair team. Hopefully; on another trip, I might be able to repay the favour.

With the tyre mended, it was time to head for Dhabol; a steady downhill. The view of Dhabol – Guhagar, Enron Chimneys & the creek in between filled with ferries of varying shapes & sizes provides for some stunning visuals. After a steep decent, headed straight for the jetty; where a huge ferry was waiting.

After crossing over to Dhopale; there is a steep uphill climb for about 30 min, untill you reach the top of a table land. From here, it is a flat ride, passing the gigantic Naphtha containers, electricity pylons & chimneys of the White Elephant named ENRON. It is an establishment of monstrous proportions; with a gas collecting terminal jutting into the ocean.

Note: Though called the Dhabol power plant; it is no longer based in Dhabol, but in Guhagar; after protests by local residents forced the government to relocate the plant to the adjacent hill, across the creek.

Passing the junction for Enron, it is a steady decent, until you enter Guhagar town. Most of these towns are streamlined, following the contours of the coast. Found a neat place to spend the night courtesy a gracious host who offered some good food & directions, for the day ahead. The house was adjacent to the beach & finally managed to spend some quality time on the beach; after nearly 4 days of travel. It was quite a relaxing & rejuvenating locale; with folks who were always game for a discussion on my route plans.

Apart from helping me with route information; they even took the trouble of ferrying me to the nearest market to get hold of a proper map.

All in all, it was a brilliant day for solo travel; for whenever there was signs of trouble or adversity; the goodwill that existed, just made problem solving & decision making a breezy experience. For these reason, I guess this one day might stay with me for years to come.

The next days target was set for Ganpatiphule & Ratnagiri on a more aggressive scale.