An Unforgettable Trip to Bhatye on Our Anniversary
It was our 7th marriage anniversary. We wanted to head out to celebrate the occasion, not to the hills like we usually do. This time we wanted to try the sea. But we didn’t want to be disturbed on our short vacation. So we wanted to pick a place that would promise us solitude and peace. We wanted to reflect on our togetherness, and where the marriage was taking us.
I remembered seeing a picture of Bhatye somewhere. It looked so lovely that I remembered the name. So I started enquiring about it. And right I was. I was able to find it on the map. Bhatye was just a couple of kilometers from Ratnagiri. We decided to stay in the town, and visit the beach from there. We waren’t worried about the security, it was just an issue with facilities offered at the hotel. There is a star hotel at Bhatye, but we didn’t want to spend so much money for our accommodation. We wanted something decent, but cheaper. There was the Mandavi beach too, and I was told that this one was beautiful as well.
Both of us were in love with Bhatye, as soon as we reached the beach. It was really picturesque. There were those suru trees, which we have seen in other beaches in the Konkan as well. But here they looked better, because of the serene surroundings. The suru jungle and the serene beach looked very good together – the setting was very natural. Hilly extensions of the Sahyadri Range made everything seem even better. I had to admit, we had chosen wisely. In fact, the beach looked even better than the postcard I had seen way back in Mumbai.
There were a few chat stalls and of course the lighthouse. We wanted to climb up for a better view, but couldn’t do so. It was however not the end of the world for us. What we saw from the ground (sea) level was thoroughly pleasing. Even Ratnagiri city was visible at a distance.
There was the Coconut Research center at one end of the beach. I am sure it would have been interesting, but we decided to skip it, at least for this visit. But we did indeed go to the Zari Vinayak. We couldn’t miss it, as it was right on the beach. It was our anniversary after all, and so, we had to take the blessings of Ganeshji.
At the end, both of us were very pleased with our short break. I would highly recommend Bhatye. If you are unable to locate it, you may try “Bhatye Suru Ban” – that is the local name for the place.
