MARAVANTHE

Maravanthe is the name of the beach on the west coast of Karnataka a little away from udupi along the village of Trasi.

Stay at the turtle bay resort, we were in the cabana accomadation which can fit just two, but then just a roof for the night, else you can aimlessly wander along the beach shore, or stay lying on the beach gazing the stars (until the watchman closed gates at 11.30 pm). You can still stay around inside the resort premises which has a concrete see through fence watching the sea. They have other rooms as well, which is worth the price for the location of the property.





Take a long early evening walk along the beach from the resort up north which will take you to the highway with backwaters on one side and the sea on the other ..a sight indeed.., quite a number of tea shops dot the road which is usually the pitstop of the lorrymen from across the country to an occasional swanky car owner. sit on the rocks and enjoy you cuppa chai( cup of tea) and biscuits and watch the sun go down. walk back to the resort (carry a torch of course)

(above) Collage of pics taken while on the long walk








(above) along the highway.











info you might need

for the backpacker: direct buses from Bangalore leave to Kundapur (KSRTC, Private as well), from kundapur get another bus to Trasi - enquire with the conductor before you board, usually most of the buses ply empty in this route (note: we were travelling on a weekend off peak) so they oblige to stop. another auto ride from Trasi will take you to the gates of turtle bay resort Call and book in advance.

(pic above) a near empty bus between kundapur and trasi

But the problem would be getting back, as there are no autos near the resort, you need to either walk back in the hot sun or enquire at the reception for a auto or drop.

food at the resort is average, so stick to general fare, the cook keeps changing so at your luck









articles worth a read to get a feel of the place

article in outlook traveller

the resort is called turtle bay because , yes turtles tend to flock the beach to lay their eggs, and this article in DNA on the maravanthe turtles prompted me to post this destination in the first place, so read through







(above) Watch the sea through the abundant casuarina trees that dot the property

Trip date: March 2010

FORT KOCHI - STREETSCAPES

On a sunday afternoon, the streets were totally deserted. this is the road that takes one to the jew street in mattancherry from fort kochi jetty






This is the closet one can get to a feel of european cobble stone streets in india, this jew street leading to the synagogue is filled with antique and curio shops.









one of the numerous brightly colored shops found in the heart of fort kochi, this one is next to the tea pot cafe.






lot of boutique, heritage hotels dot fort kochi. one such was old harbour hotel, the whitewashed walls contrasting the hotel font are a pull to any camera lens.