Diu: Island of Calm

Being at Diu

If I shout Portuguese,  you say Goa, If I shout Portuguese again, you still say Goa and the answer won't change even after iterations of the question. Yeah fu*k history and geography. There is a small Union Territory which goes by the name of Daman and Diu which incidentally are also not contiguous but are separated by hundreds of kms ( Yeah! Your eyes are still wide in surprise and I have my preacher mode on )

Diu is one half of the UT of Daman and Diu, rather one should say the better half. If you thought that UTs are just a place for cheap booze and only booze , you are definitely right but your pointer is towards the wrong direction. Maybe you should head to Daman and skip Diu. If not, read on.

What to see/do at Diu

        Nagoa Beach: If the banner ads of Ocean roads at Australia excite you may catch a preview here. This is the place to be at in Diu whether you are craving for an evening jog, adventure sports in the form of parasailing and banana ride, have a penchant for trying local fruits or just have a desire of getting your feet wet.   

        Diu Fort: Remember the scenes of Goa from Dil Chahta Hai? Now imagine a cleaner, posher and a more Mediterranean-esque surroundings. Done? Now add a greatly preserved fort surrounded on three side by shimmering azure waters. Clear? Now this is what Diu fort provides you with. The fort premises have an active sub-cellular jail so here is your trailer of Kala Pani of Andaman. There is an active and must-visit lighthouse which offers breathtaking views of the island as well as of the Gujarat coast.

        Naida Caves: This is a must do for all cave lovers in the country. The complex is much larger than your expectations and offers a perfect hideout from the blazing sun which incidentally is also the best time to witness the beauty of the caves in its full glamour. The best thing, the entry is absolutely free.

        Jallandar Beach: If strolling on a partially rocky beach in the vicinity of white-sandsone churches is your thing, you may plan your visit here.You may also choose to skip it and take a stroll through the adjoining seaside road.

Where to eat in Diu

Options are aplenty, resorts and shacks suitable for each pocket are available. If trying authentic Portuguese food is your thing, then look no further and head to  O'Coqueiro. A word of caution, majority of the fare is non-vegetarian and the restaurant doesn't take orders post 9:00 p.m. So head early. Even this worthy restaurant pales in comparison to a snack joint called as Shri Ram Vijay refreshments center. This establishment is currently being run by the third generation of proprietors and the food speaks volumes of their success stories. They have their own brands of soft drinks, sodas and ice-creams which are claimed to be even older than the entry of the likes of Coke and Pepsi. Leave the decision of finalizing the menu to the owner and indulge in the unique Diu flavor on your plate

So...

Diu is enchanting, mesmerizing and contains an amazing Mediterranean town-like feel complete with modern beaches, azure waters and whitewashed houses. The small video promoted by Diu tourism sums it up quite nicely (Find the link here). It is truly ile de calme.

!Diu Tip!

sd The central city area is circuitous and congested, follow the main routes and avoid taking short-cuts specially if you are driving a 4-wheeler. Your GPS mightn't be of much use here

Reaching Diu

Diu is an island off the coast of Gujarat and I am going to throw cold water on your hopes of boarding a ferry, the island is connected by excellent roads to the mainland of Gujarat via State Highway 232. There is no railway facility on the island, with nearest railway station being Veraval, approximately 90 kms away. Veraval Train Time Table provides details about train schedules. Diu can be reached  via air onboard a Jet-Airways flight (Diu Flight Schedule)