Nature trip at NV Eco farms
On Christmas day my father gifted us a surprise that he will
take all of us for a nature trip the next day on Saturday 26th December. It was
a joint family trip n my uncle with his family would also join us on this trip.
I and my sister Nidhi could not sleep properly earlier night on account of
excitement of our Nature trip. Both of us were awake by 06:30 am which is a
very unusual thing for us to do specially on holiday.
We were all packed and raring to go by 07:30 am or so. We
had decided to have the breakfast out on the way together with my Uncles
family. We asked them to join us at Old Goa petrol Pump and proceeded in two
different cars. We were going to a nature resort called "NV eco
Farms" at Dhabal which comes under Dharbhandora Panchayat. Since the drive
to this place would take more than one hour we decided to halt on the way for a
breakfast as everyone was started feeling hungry. My Uncle knew a good place
for a quick breakfast by name "Shantiniketan" at Mardol
junction. The place was small but well
kept. The waiter was ready at the table to take our order before we could
settle in. My uncle told us to place the order as per individual’s choice. I ordered
Buns, some ordered mix bhaji n bread, and rest of us had ordered wada. The
place served us a "Kashay" a drink prepared with Milk by adding all
medicinal herbs, lemon grass, Tulshi leaves etc. It was unique and speciality
of this place. We started our journey back after a nice breakfast.
After Breakfast, our drive restarted from Mardol towards
Ponda road. We crossed the Bethora Industrial estate on our way. Post the
Industrial estate the road was very scenic lushed with lot of greenery on
either side, lot of jungle trees forming canopy all along the drive. On the way
we stopped at one or two places to check with the locals to ensure we were
driving on the right track towards our destination. We finally came out of the
woods at Codli Mines where we could see the first sign board of NV eco Farm.
Now we were getting more n more excited to be at the NV farms. On the way we
could spot a peacock just a distance of less than 10 mts from the road. We
halted and switched off our car engines so that we could admire the peacock
undisturbed. It was an amazing site.
We moved on to enter the NV eco farms. We parked ourselves
in parking space and got out of cars to stretch ourselves after a nice drive of
approx 45 min. The Huge banyan tree on the left side was ready to welcome us.
We were received by a very warm elderly lady who manages the kitchen activities
and welcomed us a with a cup of tea. In minutes she arranged hot chana and
potato bhaji with bread for all of us with option of black tea as well as normal
milk tea. The aroma of hot bhaji and warmth of this lady lead us into the bhaji
and bread with another tea cup.
As we were sipping into hot tea, Sonali another staff at NV
eco farms approached us wanting to know how we would like to spend our day. The
place had lot of adventure activities like rock climbing, rappling, etc. Plus
we could go on a spice n plantation trail guided by their expert who would help
m guide us on the information about the plants etc. We could also swim in
natural pond they have created inside the farm.
We decided to first venture into the natural pond as all of
us crazy about spending time inside water. The pond is clean and nicely
maintained with water from the fresh water spring emerging quite far ahead origins
of which we could not trace. The water was freezing cold and it took us time
before we could actually get down inside water. They have made artificial
waterfall inside the pond. It’s an experience to be under this waterfall. The
length of pond is quiet long so that we could swim up and down the stream quite
nicely. After approx 2 hours playing inside the pond, we were feeling little
tired and hungry too.
We headed straight to the restaurant where the lunch was
being served. There were already 2-3 other groups who were already enjoying
their lunch. The buffet lunch was served in traditional earthen ware and was nicely
laid out. The menu included Rice, Prawns curry, Chicken Xacuti with Bread, King
fish Rawa fried, Kokum Kadi, Pickle etc. The food was really tasty and we all
enjoyed the food. It had the feel and taste of home cooked food. I had two
helpings our rice and fish as I was really hungry. There was equally good veg
menu for lunch as I overheard very positive comments from my adjoining table who were enjoying complete veg food.
We just lazed around in their lawns outside the restaurant
for half an hour or so. We all took some photos with my uncle and our cousins.
I along with my cousins wanted to do the adventure activities and we purchased
the required tickets for the same from the counter. There was wall climbing to
zip line to tyre crossing and much more. Everyone except my father and my uncle
& aunty all of us ventured out and experienced the thrill n excitement on
all the adventure. I was scared before I actually started but as it went along I
gained confidence and could complete all the adventure activities. I really
felt confident and motivated that I could do all the activities.
We were tired, exhausted but feeling really great about the
day well enjoyed. We were tempted to take a dip once again in the pond and it
was really superb. The water was really chilling as it was getting darker &
cooler due to thick greenery on top of the pond. It helped all of us to get
recharged and feeling fresh once again. After about 20 minutes enjoyment inside
the pond, we decided to come out and pack our bags to head back to our homes.
We thanked the owners who were there all the time to guide us and their very
warm staff for their care n hospitality.
We signed off from NV Eco farms extremely happy with a
promise that we will come here again during the rains to explore the trekking
and spice trail which we could not do this time due to lack of time.. . As our
cars drove into the unwinding roads with jungle on either side, I did not
realise I went to sleep with superb memories of the great day out enjoyed at NV
Eco farms.
