Yes, I took that photograph, without looking at the viewfinder at that, since that could have meant getting neither the photograph or a unobstructed free view of the dolphin itself. And after sitting in the boat for over half an hour, doing nothing but waiting and listening to the largely one-sided conversation between the two boatmen on opposite ends of our boat, and speculating about all the possible scenarios for a letdown (from a total no-show to some guy in a dolphin suit fooling around), I really didn't want to miss it. Not just that, I did some snorkelling too, seeing (and touching, with a great temptation to take away a piece) corals, among other marine flora and fauna.
The place is called Tarkarli, down the coastline of Maharashtra. It is small, quiet, clean, paradise for sea-food lovers (I am not one of them, but she is), with a calm shallow sea whose clear water is most inviting for a swim. And the beach, I am certain I have never seen one emptier. Not even the private beach of the resort I stayed in at Goa. You could commit a murder in broad daylight with a high chance of getting away with it. But will you be holidaying with someone you want to murder? Actually, one never knows... I sort of have!
The drive from Mumbai was arduous. I sat in the car at 0600 hours and with a few, largely necessary, stops, we reached our hotel at 0200 hours the following morning. The one big detour, 4-5 hours worth, was a stopover at Murud-Janjira to see a 900 year old castle about a kilometre off the coast, made by some African trader-rulers back in the day. Anyhow, it was still 20 hours on the damn road, driving through the ghat sections too, at night, on the highway, all of it a first for me. But I guess I don't bullshit when I say I learn quick. The drive back was completed in less than 12 hours, and that includes the insane traffic in this stinky shithole of a city that I live in. Despite the detour, that is at least 3 hours, or 20%, less time. And much to the relief of my cousin who had generously lent me the car, the vehicle came back as it had left.
So take my tip and go there, or somewhere in the vicinity, if and when you can. A true delight.
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