Kovalam Beach: Nature’s Best Description

Kovalam Beach: Nature’s Best Description

For me beaches are the most well composed landscapes of nature. The juxtaposed beauty of glittering sun, silvery sand and azure sea makes beaches a romantic destination where one can freely stimulate their sense of imagination. Particularly for me beaches are the source of fascination from my childhood. When I was child I used to think from where this waves come and why did it return back. I also used to ask about the places other side of this huge water land. These stupid questions sometime irritated my parents and when ever they tried to explain me I asked lots of question to satisfy my complete eager about sea.

For me seaside or beaches are the fabulous destinations to spend quality time in nature’s lap. It is the perfect destination which not only fascinates you but also inspires you, because the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea’ as quoted by Isak Dinesen.

I often visit Kerala Capital City Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) for my official purpose which provides me an opportunity to visit Kovalam Beach which is one of the best beaches of the world. Every time I went there I find something new which refreshes my mind and provides solace to weary soul. But most of the time I enjoy my Kovalam Beach Visit because of its serene and scenic beauty.

Kovalam is among the most pristine in India which is located about 17 km from Thiruvananthapuram city on the Malabar coast of India. This is a beach town situated on the coast of Arabian Sea which attracts scores of nature lovers from various parts of the globe.

On Saturday early morning I went to Kovalam Beach in a taxi from my office guest house. This was my fourth visit to this mesmerizing destination where one can see the best of amalgamated beauty of sun, sand and sea. This beach is renowned for its three crescent shaped beaches which are separated by the rocky terrain. The largest beach is known as Light House Beach because of its 35 meter high lighthouse. Hawah Beach is the second largest beach which was also the first topless beach in India but topless bathing has been banned nowadays. And the third is Samudra Beach which is famous among the local fishermen.

This time I selected Light House Beach to spend my whole day in nature’s lap. It is perfect spot from where you can get complete view of this place. The long and clean sandy strip makes it a favorite hangout among tourists. The light house of this place is named as Vizhinjam Lighthouse which is situated on the promontory at the southern end of the beach. After enjoying sea waves I sat under the palm tree facing the sea. The cool breeze, whimsical sound of waves and panorama of nature engrossed me completely which rippled several my sense of imagination in me. I was lost in my thoughts which were invoked by the mystic and bewitching surroundings of this place.

It’s my hunger that broke my thought in which I was involved for long time. I went to nearby restaurant to eat mouthwatering Kerala Sea food. The taste of fresh prawn and flavor of original spices still lingering on my taste buds.

After strolling some more time on this pristine beach I went to nearby souvenir shop to purchase conch for my mother. After that I returned to my guest house and from there headed to airport.

Jaipur: A Land of Man Made Marvel

Much heard about Rajasthan the land of contrast and diversity, which is known for its several mesmerizing attractions. This state has several places of tourists delight but the fascination of Pink City Jaipur is entirely different from any other tourist destinations. Since long I wanted to visit Jaipur the colorful city of Rajasthan but never got any chance.

Jaipur: A Land of Man Made Marvel

But opportunities comes in many ways and none of us know when and where, same thing happened with me last month when one of my close and childhood friend invited me to Jaipur for his marriage engagement. This invitation was unexpected and instigated discussion in our friend circle because it is a love marriage and we don’t know his fiancée. In our friend circle we inquired and investigate lot about this affair because of human nature of being interested in other affair. Finally after settling our urge and inquiry about this love affair four of our good friends choked out Jaipur Tour program on the occasion of this marriage engagement.

All of my friends residing at different places so we planned to reach Jaipur two days in advance so that we can have ample of time to enjoy this mystic place. Finally with Kingfisher flight I reached Jaipur from Banglore on Friday night. It was night when I my flight landed in this historical city. After checking out from airport I saw all three my friends waiting outside. We all met each other after one year, this joy of meeting was really touched us and our emotions burst out.

Soon this emotional drama ended and we became same old guys pulling each other’s legs, shouting, making noise and disclosing some of the hidden facts from our past life. After reaching hotel we took delectable Rajasthani food in our dinner. The food was really tasty which filled appetite but not able to satisfy our taste buds. Moreover the company of best friends reminded our college days when we used to eat in canteen.

Although we have two rooms booked but all of us stayed in a single room sharing our past, present and future thoughts. This long session of discussion enjoyed by us as it gave chance to know something new and hidden facts from their college day’s life.

Water Sports in Goa: Holding Your Interest Superbly

Delhi’s scorching heat is something that you cannot resist, actually. Air-conditioners, ice-creams and even chilled beer bottles seem to be ineffective. And for all the wanderer spirits, this calls for a freaky holiday trip. Being a water sports lover, I decided to fly to Goa Beaches. This is one such destination that is unbeatable in terms of water sports in India.

Water Sports in Goa

While peeping out of the window of my plane, I watched & admired vast picturesque coastline and serene beaches of Goa. The entire coastline was dotted with countless tourists busy in sunbathing and enjoying water sports there. I was booked in a beach resort there. After spending my evening at leisure, I enjoyed authentic sea-food delicacies (comprising of fish, prawns, lobsters & Feni) at my resort. My exploration started the very next morning from the famed Agonda Beach. I could see numerous restaurants / bars and handicraft shops there alongside the coastline. After having my brunch there, I went up to a water sports operator who assisted me with a trainer. He briefed me regarding thrilling water activities. 

I started with angling, which is one of the safest and easiest of water sport activity. I was provided with a fishing rod & food for bait. The sea was full of tempting seafood and my frequent catches were comprised of soormai, salmon and mullet. Next I was transported to Candolim Beach by Dinghy Sailing that is locally known as 'Beer and Sandwich Sailing'. My dinghy was about 15 feet long and sailing calmly in the direction of the gentle wind across the sea was remarkable. 

I also paid short trips to beaches like Anjuna, Baga, Dona Paula and Majorda where I enjoyed a number of sports like dinghy sailing, parasailing, scuba diving, water scootering, water skiing and wind surfing. Those adventure-cum-recreational activities also allowed me to admire the panoramic view of the entire region and marine life. It was, more or less, like enjoying summer vacations in a watery paradise for me. Goa simply captivates your soul and offers you the best holidays of your lifetime.

Refreshing Darjeeling Tour

Refreshing Darjeeling Tour

Far from the madness of Delhi city I with three of my friends landed in Darjeeling. I had heard a lot about this destination and was very impressed. Now I was here to see it for myself. After reaching Siliguri we hired a taxi to Darjeeling which is around 75 km from this place. I really enjoyed the ride through the winding roads. No traffic jam, no pollution, it was a wonderful ride.

The moment we entered Darjeeling I was completely mesmerized by its charm and beauty. The sight of the verdant green hills was very soothing to the senses. The climate was pleasant and the environment was refreshing.

Darjeeling is a wonderful hill station of West Bengal state of India where nature lovers come from far and wide. Still retaining its old world charm, it is popularly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations'. The most fascinating attraction of this destination is the refreshing and aromatic tea gardens. The forests here have their own unique charm.

Our first halt was the Tiger Hill which has an altitude of 2590 m. This is a famous spot as it offers breathtaking view of sunrise. I was enchanted to the hilt when I saw the sun rising like a fire ball over the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains from this hill. It was a Kodak moment. One can even get glimpses of Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak from here. Next we headed towards the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Roaming around in the gardens, breathing aromatic air and enjoying the mesmerizing views of the surroundings was a great experience. We also saw how tea leaves are processed. It was quite interesting.

Post lunch we headed towards the Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway which is the first of its kind in India. We enjoyed the cable car ride. After that we visited the monastery, garden and temple, which reflected the richness of this hill station. In the evening we went to the local market of Darjeeling and bought some handicrafts. We also picked up some tea packets as Darjeeling is famous the world over for its high quality and aromatic tea.

The Best Way to Reach Shimla

Shimla Tour

There are many things in our life which are destined and no one knows when and how it will get fulfilled. Same thing happened with me when I went to my friend’s engagement in Shimla. When his persuasion failed to convince me, he bribed me with a travel opportunity in Toy train from Kalka to Shimla. Since my childhood it was my dream to experience this riveting journey. Though I got several opportunities but somehow I missed all, why and how I don’t known. It was not destined that may be one of the reasons.

For me it’s not a bribe but he targeted on my Achilles’ heel and soon I headed for Delhi from Pune via flight. From here I boarded Howrah Delhi Kalka Mail and reached Kalka at around 5:00 in the morning. Kalka located on the foothills of Himalayas is an entry point to Himachal Pradesh. From here my long cherished journey started in a cozy seat of the Shivalik Deluxe Express. With smile on my face and joy in my heart I stepped inside the train.

It is a luxury train running between Kalka and Shimla. This train has only one stoppage at Barog that is why it is also called as ‘narrow gauge Shatabdi’. The train can accommodate 120 passengers at a time. There is a special tourist coach called 'Shivalik Palace’ attached to this train which is meant for elite tourists. Apart from this the Shivalik Express has individual posh cabins which are private compartments for couples or lovers. Some of the other distinctive features that impressed me most on board were the wall to wall carpet decorations, wide glass windows, reversible cushioned chairs, music system and microphone with an alarm bell for emergency communication. 

The slow and steady moving of the train over serpentine tracks, passing by charming hills, tunnels and bridges mesmerized me completely. The journey through green valleys, high mountains and steep slopes had left the impression of ecstasy and joy which will remain in my memory forever. Covering 96 km, the train passes through 919 curves, 20 railway stations, 103 tunnels and 969 bridges. 

The most fascinated duration of this expedition was when the train passed the longest tunnel at Barog. This tunnel is 1143.61-metre-long and the train passes through fissured sandstone. The train echo and darkness outside perplexed me and I got sacred for sometime. As soon as the train comes out of the tunnel, the spread over beauty of lush green natural ambiance is like a welcome sign of this bewitching land.

After 4:45 hours of this appealing journey the train reaches the beautiful hill station Shimla, where I saw my friends waiting for me. The moment I got down from the train two of my old friends hugged me and we all headed towards our friend’s house. 

It was really a memorable journey for me because not only it fulfilled my most cherished desire but also given me a chance to meet some of my old friends. After enjoying the company of natural vistas I spent quality time with my friends for two days which provided me a chance to enjoy everything at its best.

Tourist Places Near Rishikesh

Tourist Places Near Rishikesh

New Year celebration was awesome in Rishikesh, but the hidden adventurer inside me insisted to extend my trip to at least a couple of days. So finally, I planned to explore the tourist places near Rishikesh. While going through the Rishikesh travel guide, I came across Narendra Nagar. This small and less frequented hill station is just 15 km from Rishikesh, and is easily accessible by an auto-rickshaw.

While heading towards Narendra Nagar, I came to know that it was the capital of the former state of Tehri. The best part to click there was an attractive place – Kaunjpura – that offers superb views of the Himalayas surrounding it. After spending a couple of hours there, I headed for Neel Kanth Mahadev temple – located at 22 km from Rishikesh and dedicated to Lord Shiva. En-route, I stopped at a dhaba for a quick bite where the dhabawalla told me about the mythology associated with the temple. As the legend goes, Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue on consuming poison produced after Sagar Manthan, Therefore, this place came to be known as Neel Kanth Mahadev.

Inspired by watching a rudraaksh mala around every second neck, I also bought one for myself. Next I headed for Shivpuri in search of some adventure sports. Located around 19 km from Rishikesh, this highly frequented place is the ‘Mecca for river-rafting enthusiasts’. Places like Sweet Sixteen, Marine Drive, Three Blind Mice, Cross Fire, Roller Coaster and Golf Course at Shivpuri offer rafting currents ranging from Grade 1 to 4. This way, it is an ideal town for amateurs as well as professional rafters. Since morning to afternoon, I enjoyed the best of river-rafting of my life. Being very tired, i spend the left day at leisure at a cottage there.

Next morning, while getting back to Rishikesh, I paid a short visit to Kunjapuri Mata Mandir that has excellent sunrise and sunset points. This way, my trip while enjoying the spectacular views of majestic Ganga was awe-inspiring. Rishikesh and the entire nearby region draw sadhus, yoga enthusiasts, celebrities, classical musicians and adventure buffs from all over the globe.

A Family Trip to Rishikesh

Trip to Rishikesh

The story begins with a family trip, when I was insisted by my mom to celebrate my New Year at Rishikesh with my parents and brothers. So we all first arrived at Haridwar by Dehradun Shatabdi Express, and then hired a cab for Rishikesh (24 km). We were 238 km from Delhi, and 25 km up the Ganges from Haridwar, at an altitude of 1,160 ft. I enjoyed the entire journey while listening that Rishikesh is not just another famous Hindu pilgrimage but it is also considered as the Yoga Capital of the world. I was pretty sure that my trip to Rishikesh could not be better than a freaky night out with friends in a disc or pub. But my first look to the place changed my thinking, my opinion and my philosophies completely. What a superb location in the foothills of Himalayas!

I could not control my excitement level when I came to know that it offers some of the most exciting moments of adventure sports such as trekking in the rugged mountains and challenging white water rafting in the most tumultuous and foaming waters of the Himalayas. My exploration began with the renowned Lakshman Jhula – a suspended iron bridge built in 1939. As the legend goes, Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama, built a jute rope bridge to cross the majestic Ganges. This Lakshmana Jhula is just a replacement of that jute rope bridge. While heading towards the Swarg Ashram, we crossed the same and clicked a few photographs as well. My next halt was Gita Bhavan – a huge huge huge library of spiritual texts! A thousand-page Holy Gita for just Rs. 120/-! Unbelievable! I spotted a few attractive paintings and statues there that depict scenes from Hindu mythologies. From the Ayurvedic dispensary of Gita Bhawan, I bought a few medicines for my grandma.

I also paid short visits to the temples at Swarga Ashram, Neelkanth Mahadeo (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and the Triveni Ghat. While asking for some thrilling sports with my brothers, I was permitted by my mom to go for White Water Rafting in the River Ganges and a short Trekking tour in the Garhwal Himalayas under the guidance of an expert. My last halt in Rishikesh was the shopping area of the Swarg Ashram, where I found the stalls loaded with brassware, incense sticks, sweets, Rudraksh beads, Ayurvedic and herbal medicines. Overall, the trip was outstanding. New Year celebration with my friends could not be better than this trip, for sure.