“Is this happening for real? Am I actually doing a trip in 2020?”
This is the first thought that popped up in my mind while starting off for this road trip.
It has been a splendid month in Goa post pandemic and life looks getting so much better closest to the beach with each passing day.
I have never stayed for so long in Goa earlier and Guess what! it’s my first time in South Goa. Yey!!
I thought I knew Goa – But then South Goa Happened!
We will definitely talk about South Goa but in separate blogs, for now let’s just get into the details of my latest Road Trip to Goa.
The Journey Mumbai/Pune to Goa Road Trip
Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic can be unsettling!
If you are in India, you know how terrifying it could be to travel again (that too a leisure trip) post-pandemic considering the rising number of COVID cases.
Honestly, I was pretty skeptical this time in my old car but at the same time had this adrenaline rush of stepping outside not only my house but also the city for the first time after months of lockdown.
I did this journey by road but if you have no other option left other than taking a flight, just be extra careful to ensure safety of yourselves and others.
I think road trips perfectly fit into the new normal. What do you think?
To give you an overview, my entire journey of around 450-500km was contactless. The staff at the gas station and toll plaza are strictly following safety measures. You will find plenty of petrol pumps (with washrooms of course) on the highway.
Talking about the road condition – It’s a six-lane superb highway till Nipani, don’t forget the major right exit after Nipani.
Once you leave the highway, the roads are mostly single lane and after covering about 80km you enter the famous ghats of Amboli.
Amboli hill station in Maharashtra is a must-visit place in the monsoon season. It’s so scenic and mostly foggy (also full of monkeys too). Such lush green views and magnificent waterfalls feel like heaven!
No wonder stopping at Amboli ghat was the best part of this road trip.
Can’t beat the fresh breathe of air, sprinkle of cold chilling water and incredibly beautiful views – a perfect getaway for monsoon seasons. Have you been here yet?
With that said, the entire ghat area is little risky, drive safely.
And it took around 2 hrs from Amboli to reach Arambol in Goa (my first stop). Arambol beach (hippie’s Paradise) is one of the most happening beaches in Goa. Sunsets here is to die for!!
Don’t forget to carry your meals and water bottles. Few restaurants on the highway are open. You can also spot some stalls en route for buying water bottles.
Make sure you are carrying essential medicines, power bank, a spare tire (for worst case), good variety of song playlists ( I switched from
90s songs to peppy numbers to gazal to arabic to regional ones) and it’s always good to have a great travel partner for such a long journey!
Lastly, be ready to sit for around 10-12 hours long with small breaks in between and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Okay so that’s it for this blog guys, I would be sharing accommodation options for working from Goa and other details in upcoming blogs.
If you have any questions, drop in comment below.
