Fine
and sunny 20 to 31deg C
Ride:
73km; total: 420km
Guhagar to Ratnagiri. We
continue our southern adventure on undulating, empty roads, with a short detour
to another atmospheric fort steeped in the history of the East India Company
and the Maratha Empire. We roll on to Ratnagiri, a steep-sided town with
bustling, colourful markets and a fascinating Burmese connection. In the
evening, sample Ratnagiri's nightlife and enjoy its outrageously good food.
Distance: 85km | Ride Time: 6 hours | Overnight: Ratnagiri
We
continued our peddling adventure south on more undulating (read darn hilly)
roads. It was a tough ride because of the hills, made much harder by the
nearly constant requirement to dodge potholes and broken up sections of
roadway. Not long after leaving the hotel this morning we were greeted with a
very steep and long climb. The view was great though, looking back over the
beach we visited yesterday.
Another
ferry ride and then it was a short ride to another fort connected to the
East India Company and the erstwhile rulers of the Maratha Empire. We enjoyed
impressive views over the Arabian Sea from the top of the substantial walls. Jaigad
Fort was built in 1726 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Unfortunately, if some
restoration/preservation work is not completed shortly it will eventually
disappear into a pile of rubble, which will be a huge shame.
We reached our
destination Ratnagiri, with colourful markets and an alleged Burmese
connection. Not that we had much of a chance to explore, as getting around town
with non-existent footpaths and the constant stream of dangerous traffic was
downright terrifying. Much more than Saigon, Vietnam even! Three of us
gave it a try but after flirting with death a couple of times and being a fair
way out of the interesting part of the city we decided to return to the
relatively safe and quiet hotel. So, after the normal chores and domestic
duties I called it a night.
No comments:
Post a Comment