- Swim, surf, snorkel and scuba with the fishes. Hikkaduwa may well have the bravest of fishes in the shallowest of beaches. Add the warm sun to it and you have a perfect picnic spot.
- Enjoy the lunch at nearby eateries including a Pizza Hut and several hotel restaurants. Its a typical beach town with a long beachline.
- Shower is a problem as the facilities are dirty even if paid. Arrange for shower with the same shop which provided scuba gear.
the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - saint augustine
Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts
Tuesday 19 December 2017
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Monday 18 December 2017
Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
- Stay at Unawatuna rather Galle as most buzz is around the beach specially in the evening and later. This will also help in watching the sunrise from shore with a short walk.
- Evenings in Unawatuna get wilder. Torches come up and restaurants extend their seating to closer to beach. Make sure you get one of those front benches to enjoy the ambience.
- Scuba and snorkels are available although the water is not ideal for these activities. Still it is worth a go. Weligama is half hour drive and is perfect for surfing activities.
Unawatuna is a quintessential beach. It has an independent personality and proximity to Galle is just a coincidence. It has the buzz of Calangute and the serenity of Kovalam. It has a long beach line and yet the curve ensures everything is within eyesight. When we first visited it, our hearts were won over and over again, so much that we had to come again just to say goodbye.
Surfing @ Weligama |
Sunday 17 December 2017
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
- Mirissa is more famous for whale watching as the ferries start from here for the middle of the sea. The activity is for the elderlies and is getting costlier every year.
- The beach is one of the most beautiful you will come across. If you want to go for the secluded and cosy one, this is it.
- Weligama is equal distance from here and Unawatuna. There is a Marriott not very far in case you want to go for a luxury hotel.
Sunrise @ Mirissa Beach |
Saturday 16 December 2017
Galle, Sri Lanka
- Galle is essentially a beach fort town. Do not expect more. There are well located restaurants within the fort with a beautiful sea view and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine that you should try.
- Fort is the place to explore within Galle. The lighthouse and area around it is spectacular shares during sunset with fort on one side and the infinite sea on another.
- Galle beach is another attraction although nothing compared to so many beaches in Sri Lanka. Beachside restaurants are a good option for breakfast.
Lighthouse, Galle Fort |
Friday 23 June 2017
Diabutsu, Kamakura
- Take direct train from Tokyo to Kamakura. Alight at Kita-Kamakura which is one station before the last and start walking. You will find shrines and treasures worth the walk.
- Yuigahama beach was a disappointment. Rather take a seat on one of the sea facing restaurants or bar and take a meal.
- Diabutsu is the highlight of this area. The Great Buddha in green surrounded by green is remarkable. Walking around is preferred although tiring.
It always makes sense to visit the nearest beach-town on a sunny weekend and that is what we planned during our stay at Tokyo. Yuigahama Beach is an hour away from Tokyo. There was a direct train from close to our hotel to Kamakura and a 15 min walk from Kamakura station to Yuigahama. On the way we got feedback from a friendly lady on how wonderful the walk is from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura. It was a good idea. The series of temples and a garden dedicated to the hydrangeas were delightful.
Daibutsu, Kamakura |
Monday 29 December 2014
Rameswaram
- Train to Rameswaram itself is a unique experience. The holy town can be covered on foot although there is scarcity of good hotels.
- Visit and complete round of the main temple takes couple hours. People even take bath afterwards in the inner sanctum.
- The highlight is Dhanushkoti, a sword shaped island at the tip of which the mythical bridge was built by Lord Ram. Sri Lanka is merely 20 miles from here.
Rameswaram was long awaited and frankly it didn't disappoint us. In fact the trip that started from Kanyakumari to this pilgrimage via Kovalam had an almost perfect ending in Dhanushkoti. We arrived at this island by train early morning. Crossing Pamban bridge created enough excitement in fellow travellers that we woke up with the noise.
Main Entrance @ Rameswaram Pilgrimage |
Google Maps:
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, India
Saturday 27 December 2014
Kovalam
- Best time to visit Kovalam is Dec-Jan. Christmas and New Yr celebration here is grand and looks exotic given the number of foreigner tourists.
- Beach is shallow and among the most playful in India. Hotels are numerous so a deal is possible on last minute booking.
- Dont miss top view from lighthouse. It closes down early. Dont miss the Poovar Island trip. It adds to the charm of Kovalam.
Google Maps:
Kovalam, Kerala, India
Thursday 25 December 2014
Kanyakumari
- Sunset is among the most beautiful I have seen anywhere. The crowd throngs at the main beach to watch the sea gulp the sun slowly.
- Ferry ride to Vivekanand Rock has pros and cons. While the island and adjacent Thiruvalluvar Statue are worth the visit, the queues are a killer on both sides.
- There are several food joints along the beach facing the sea with authentic south Indian cuisine worth trying.
Kanyakumari is like one of those beautiful Russian spies. Allow them to nudge you and you will bleed dry. Stay game and you will be allowed to play a little. Fate let us arrive at this southern most tip of peninsular India on a Christmas morning.
Saturday 25 January 2014
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
- Mahabalipuram is small but still there is enough walk needed. Be ready for that. Main section is Panch Rathas (Five Chariots) around which the most famous monuments are carved.
- Pandava's Penance and carved pillars are most impressive art work here. Climb to the top of the lighthouse and have a top view of this city of ruins.
- Beach is one made for surfing, such are the waves. Stay at one of the beach resorts to completely enjoy the city including the sunrise and sunset.
Carved pillars @ Five Rathas Temple |
Labels:
Archeology,
Beach,
Leisure,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Sunday 15 December 2013
Murudeshwara
We checked out of our Gokarna Hotel at 10 and started for Murudeshwara. We had to change at Kumta but given the frequency of buses, we were able to get them back to back and were staring at the massive complex before 1.
Murudeshwara temple complex |
Labels:
Beach,
Landscape,
Religious,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Murudeshwara, Karnataka, India
Saturday 14 December 2013
Om Beach, Gokarna
Jog Falls - Gokarna - Murudeshwara
- The landlocked Om beach is the place to stay in Gokarna. Two more beaches are adjacent although less fun - Kudle beach & Gokarna main beach.
- Namaste Cafe is famous for seafood and fresh juices although everything else is equally tasty. The place even has few rooms for stay although you need to book in advaance.
- Murudeshwara and Jog Falls are a day trip from here. Both can be covered if one starts early. Mudureshwara holds the largest Mahadev statue while Jog is the tallest waterfall in India.
Thursday 20 June 2013
Pondicherry
- Pondicherry can be covered as part of circuit that starts from Bangalore and goes through Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram.
- Stay near the beach and enjoy the French architecture that is reminiscent of the alien occupation of this beautiful beach town.
- Beach near the main area is stony. Go for nearby Paradise beach or sit near Gandhi statue with a pint of beer. Pondicherry University area also has a beautiful sandy beach.
Sand Coast near Senghazunir Temple, Pondicherry |
Monday 14 February 2011
Kozhikode
If you want to go to Kozhikode, go through Wayanad. The tortuous road that starts from a few miles off Kalpetta will take you down the Western Ghat so quickly that you won't even have time to feel dizzy. We started on a whim for this beach town and in no time the gigantic wall of western ghat was looking at us from above.
The serpentine road, Kozhikode |
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Cannes
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes > Paris
Cannes is a beauty. No wonder some of the most beautiful people gather in this beach-town to celebrate the human creativity every year. The city has everything that French Riviera stands for. A crowded marketplace, long shore, a church with a view and the Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes is a beauty. No wonder some of the most beautiful people gather in this beach-town to celebrate the human creativity every year. The city has everything that French Riviera stands for. A crowded marketplace, long shore, a church with a view and the Cannes Film Festival.
Beach @ Cannes |
Antibes
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
Antibes was a quiet and lazy beach town. We took an early train from Nice to Antibes as the day was long and we had to cover Cannes the same day. The train dropped us at the periphery of the town and we had to walk half a mile or so to stand in front of the beach.
Antibes was a quiet and lazy beach town. We took an early train from Nice to Antibes as the day was long and we had to cover Cannes the same day. The train dropped us at the periphery of the town and we had to walk half a mile or so to stand in front of the beach.
Railway Station, Antibes |
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Monte Carlo
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
We arrived Monte Carlo late in the evening. Descending from the train when we came out in the open taking a flight of steps we realized the dense constructions of this city. It reminded me of Minas Tirith. The roaring sea in front was adding to our amazement.
We arrived Monte Carlo late in the evening. Descending from the train when we came out in the open taking a flight of steps we realized the dense constructions of this city. It reminded me of Minas Tirith. The roaring sea in front was adding to our amazement.
Dock View, Monte Carlo |
Friday 3 December 2010
Nice
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
The dipping mercury level at Copenhagen was enough reason for me to plan my next trip down south of Europe. Hence I was standing on the massive coast of Nice in French Riviera on the first weekend of December. The beach town is small and walkable.
The dipping mercury level at Copenhagen was enough reason for me to plan my next trip down south of Europe. Hence I was standing on the massive coast of Nice in French Riviera on the first weekend of December. The beach town is small and walkable.
Morning on the beach, Nice |
Monday 20 September 2010
Fredrichshafen
Trip: Luxembourg > Brussels > Amsterdam > Bruges > Fredrichshafen > Zermatt
I was woken up at Offenurg by the kind ticket checker. An hour of stay at the cold station and then I was again on move towards Konstanz. It was memorable peice of journey. Hills would rise at short notice, forests would cover the tracks and fog would hide everything for a while. The Black Forests reached their peak at Triberg and then subsided. The lakes were coming more frequently as the Rhine meandered between Germany and Switzerland - but not before swelling at the giant Lake Konstanz.
I was woken up at Offenurg by the kind ticket checker. An hour of stay at the cold station and then I was again on move towards Konstanz. It was memorable peice of journey. Hills would rise at short notice, forests would cover the tracks and fog would hide everything for a while. The Black Forests reached their peak at Triberg and then subsided. The lakes were coming more frequently as the Rhine meandered between Germany and Switzerland - but not before swelling at the giant Lake Konstanz.
Lake Constanz, Fredrichshafen |
Saturday 29 December 2007
Alappuzha
Trip: Kodaikanal > Munnar > Periyar > Alappuzha > Kovalam
We reached Alappuzha by afternoon through a road which flaunted large green fields on both sides. Alappuzha or Alleppey is famous for backwaters. As a city that runs on tourism, Alappuzha is a decent place to stay for a couple of days. We stayed in. The evening was dedicated to a boat-ride to the lovely backwaters. The boat spends some 2-3 hours completing a round. The houseboats were extremely costly, priced at close to 10k per night, as December was the peak tourist season.
We reached Alappuzha by afternoon through a road which flaunted large green fields on both sides. Alappuzha or Alleppey is famous for backwaters. As a city that runs on tourism, Alappuzha is a decent place to stay for a couple of days. We stayed in. The evening was dedicated to a boat-ride to the lovely backwaters. The boat spends some 2-3 hours completing a round. The houseboats were extremely costly, priced at close to 10k per night, as December was the peak tourist season.
Backwaters Ride, Alleppey |
Google Maps:
Alappuzha, Kerala, India
Wednesday 5 July 2006
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