For most of us the road to Gujarat is synonymous with the National Highway No 8 or NH8. It is much better now than it was a couple of years back thanks to it being a part of the Golden Quadrilateral. The turn-off for Udvada is a little after Vapi if you head there via the NH8. But if you have some time on hand and the inclination to relax a bit, there’s a lovely coastal road that runs from Dahanu to Udwada via Golvad, Sanjan and Devka. An added attraction is the road which is a smooth strip of tar bordered by palm trees and beaches and loaded with rusticity. Rishad Mehta from AutoCar (Jan. ’09) took this route and came away refreshed and rejuvenated…

This trail can easily be termed as the Bawaji trail because of the profusion of people from the genteel community. This in fact was their gateway into India centuries ago and in fact a memorial to their landing spot stands tall amid beautifully manicured gardens in Sanjaan.

It always helps to leave early from Mumbai and on the series of flyovers on the Western Express Highway, do watch out for broken-down trucks or stalled taxis especially if you are driving before dawn. Kamath’s Restaurant just before Manor is ideal for breakfast and one should not miss their batata wada and masala chai.

The road off NH8 to Dahanu is pleasure personified. After the monotony of double-laned NH8 that is populated with trucks, saloons and people-carriers, the narrow road to Dahanu is refreshingly different. Country life just catches you by. On the narrow roads off NH8, cows are king, so drive cautiously. There are also a number of children in and around villages and towns but other than that it is an incredibly peaceful and very relaxing road with great views and smooth tar surfaces.

The Dahanu beach is what makes Dahanu worth visiting. Secluded with a lovely forested patch between the road and the beach, this strip of sand is worth spending an entire day on. Other than that, the Dahanu Fort has historical interest. The fort was captured by the Marathas under the chieftainship of Chimaji Rao Appa in 1739 but was then handed over to the East India Company in 1817 following the Treaty of Bassein.

It’s a lovely coastal drive from Dahanu to Bordi via Golvad. All three are ideal towns to visit when you want to just be. Here you can sit under a palm tree and read a book, take a dip in the sea and eat a long indulgent breakfast of akoori and broone pav for breakfast instead of hurriedly gobbling down cornflakes and toast. Life’s leisurely pace rejuvenates and refreshes one from within.

Next stop Sanjaan to Nargol. While the Sanjaan market is crowded, Nargol, 15km away from Sanjaan is sleepy and serene. Sanjaan has a huge religious importance for Parsees and many Mumbaities have homes there. Final stop Udwada’s only calling is its important fire temple. But if you do stop by at Udwada, the Irani Bakery there has excellent biscuits, particularly the coconut macroons.