When you think about places to go during summer, it’s usually a hill station, mainly to cool off. The next most desired place on the list would have to be a beach. With innumerable beaches in a 500 km vicinity, Mumbai is a brilliant starting point for your journey. Now, most of you might think that heading down south, like the ducks in winter, is the best choice. Well, think again, the North of India too has a few tricks up its sleeve. There’s a tranquil beach-cum-port of Daman. Situated only 200 kms from Mumbai, the Portugese landed on the shores of a place that was sandwiched between Maharashtra, Gujrarat and the Arabian Sea and somehow we Indians never knew about it! But now that we do (thank the Portugese) it’s a great place for a weekend visit. Mumbai to Daman by road is a joyride and it would be better if you left a little early in the morning and avoid the traffic within city limits. There is in fact an airport in Daman but it’s mainly used by the coast guard there, thus not open to the public. A solid 2 ½ hour drive will get you there and with the road conditions improving, the drive is a breeze. Just be careful of those container trucks as the notion that truck drivers change lanes without signaling is astonishingly true! Refueling stops are aplenty but a good place to stop and refuel yourself would be the Vithal Kamath Restaurant once you cross Manor - a great place to get your grub may it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, you really cannot miss the huge fork which juts out from nowhere making sure you take notice of the place. Once replenished you move on and soon come across another toll plaza as you cross the town of Charoti. As you cross Talasari, another place where I’d recommend a brunch or a cup of tea is the Parsi Dairy Farm. The batata-wadas, paneer pakodas and not to forget the malai kulfi is simply great. The farm is on the otherside of the road but frankly it’s worth the detour.

The road does not challenge how fast you can go as every crossing only makes you wonder what you’d face: a man, a dog, a cow, a container truck or a flying wheel cap! As you move on, you will reach the town of Vapi, the chemical industry hub of the country and the 5th most polluted place in the world (research says so!). Once out of that, you are greeted by the sands and the black waters of Daman. A town that has its Portugese influence intact, Daman stands out mostly for its silent and undisturbed shores. A breezy town and a ‘shopoalcoholics’ (yes the spelling’s right) heaven, the town boasts of some magnificent architecture mostly in the form of churches and forts. There isn’t a dearth of places to stay either. Resorts are aplenty and booking rooms a piece of cake. The virgin beaches of Daman are a perfect way to de-stress and have a blast with family or friends or whomsoever you might want to take. A place close to the dry-state (Gujarat) of India and even closer to the country’s economical hub, Daman certainly lives upto your expectations and more so helps you catch up with life!

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Tanmay Mohanty, Mumbai