Nature trail at NV Eco Farms

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.