A Memorable Solo Vacation

Yes, I finally took that solo vacation after mulling over it for several months. The novel experience scratched off my bucket list is a small accomplishment. 

Even as I composed thoughts on my travel, I shared the idea with some friends and family members. There was plenty of advice on offer - Start small and see how it feels, carry a lot of books, suggestions on where to go etc. Every input was welcome and helpful.  

There was a fair bit of work to complete before I could translate desire into action. Where do I go ? What would I want to do there ? What would make my first trip worthwhile ? There was some anxiety too. Is it too late to start ? Never travelled on my own - What if I get bored in 30 minutes and want to head back home ? Deliberation and effort expended in planning eliminated the worries, making progress possible. 

I was clear about a few points ; 

• The trip had to be long enough to feel like I am on my own. 
• Multiple destinations for a variety of opportunities
• Reasonably low budget trip, with clean loos and beds. 
• No definite agenda. Only where I would be staying was to be firmed up. 
• I chose to drive rather than let other modes of transport dictate my schedule. I would be in no rush, have the flexibility of stopping where and when I wanted to. The agreement with my family, apart from occasional calls, was to share my live location while driving so that they know where I am in case assistance was required. 

I decided on a week-long vacation to 3 places, involving nearly 1400 kilometers of driving. Each of them being blessed with a beautiful natural environment was a common thread. Here are the highlights ; 

Seethanadi Camp (https://www.junglelodges.com/resort/seethanadi-nature-camp/) -

The camp in the midst of dense vegetation was a wonderful setting. As I sat still with my feet in the water, observing the quiet environs, the fish slowly warmed up to me and nibbled at my feet - Exclusive and free spa treatment ensued. I saw a young Hornbill, Kingfishers and heard a Woodpecker pecking away in the distance. A molting snake, swimming just a few yards away, was a rare sight. During a trek, I enjoyed conversations with fellow trekkers who were classmates 20+ years ago and on their annual reunion holiday. 

Jumadi Islands (http://www.jumadiislands.com/) - 

For 2 days, I lived on an island close to Udupi. A canoe operated by the caretaker, who lived on the mainland hundred metres away, was my only way in and out of the property. Staying in an unfamiliar house and being the only human on a 5 acre island was a little unnerving at night but part of the experience to be embraced. The surroundings of the ancestral home I stayed in had residents and visitors - Peacock, Mongoose and several varieties of birds. I loved swimming in the backwaters with coconut trees in the distance, fishermen casting their nets and the occasional boat ferrying people providing a picturesque backdrop. Fleeting meetings with the caretaker who provided me simple yet tasty home-made meals were my only connection with the world outside. Reading, walking around the property and admiring nature`s beauty were productive investments. 

Agonda, Goa -

I stayed in a comfortable 2-star resort on a quiet beach. The water was about 200 metres away and the view from my balcony on the 1st floor was a treat. I enjoyed my time in the water, visiting nearby cafes and watching fishermen go about their jobs.  

Reflecting on the trip, little things contributed to making it memorable. In addition to a neat haircut, I gained a thing or two during a delightful conversation with a barber in Agonda - I found him to be extremely service oriented and adept at his work. Driving at an unhurried pace had its benefits – In Karwar, a couple of boys who were late requested me to drop them at school.  They were blown away by the ride in a car with relatively modern features - It gave them joy, which made me smile. Traversing across bridges over water bodies, through villages and small towns, along beaches and stopping to admire the scenery were other positives of driving. Watching eagles swoop down to snatch mid-air a sample of the catch fishermen would offer them was spectacular. 

On the flip side, long drives without company got a little boring. I occasionally spoke, reminding myself to stay alert. Also, sang aloud frequently albeit for very short spells as I couldn't tolerate my limited talent.  

An outing offering exposure to diverse activities, stunning locales and interesting interactions made for a memorable adventure. It has spurred me to, occasionally, scale more peaks as a lone traveler. There is much to see, experience and learn.

Seethanadi Camp

Seethanadi Camp

The home in Jumadi Islands

The lighthouse at Kapu Beach

Eagles swooping down to catch fish thrown towards them by fishermen 

Backwaters in Agonda

 

The Blue Matsya On Kapu Beach

Situated on Kaup beach (Kapu beach to the locals), 14 kms from the temple town of Udupi, it`s the perfect place for beach lovers and those looking for a relaxed vacation. The Blue Matsya is a cozy beach house located just 300 feet from the sea. The sit-out on the ground floor and the balcony upstairs offer picture perfect views of the beach. We stayed in the bedroom upstairs with the large balcony. I loved waking up and opening doors, a little over an arm`s length away, for an expansive view of the sea from my bed.       

The Blue Matsya is self-sufficient with a microwave, washing machine, refrigerator and a fully equipped kitchen. It houses a small but decent collection of books to cater to varying tastes (John Grisham, Agatha Christie, Gabriel Marquez, Lapierre & Collins, Chetan Bhagat etc.). The balcony and sit-out are great places to read, if you would like to bring along one of your own. The hammock in front of the house would be handy if you revel in the art of doing nothing. We were grateful for the absence of modern distractions (No TV & Wi-Fi).

We were impressed by the care taken by the owner (Swati) and caretakers (Sarsuakka & Ramanna) to make us feel comfortable. Meals are not part of the package but Sarsuakka whipped us some simple breakfast on request. We enjoyed talking to her and Ramanna about the daily lives of Kaup`s residents. Swati was very prompt in responding to our queries and making sure we were well looked after. Henry, the friendly canine, played its part by accompanying us during walks on the beach.

Meals are an important part of every holiday experience. If you don`t like to cook your own, there are restaurants nearby that offer / deliver meals. The highly rated “Woodlands” at Udupi was our personal favourite. The delicious vegetarian fare that awaited us there made the short and scenic drives (About 20 minutes one way) worthwhile.

The best part of being there is the location. The waters are inviting - My family and I enjoyed our time there. For the greater part of the day, the beach is virtually “private.” Early in the morning, there are a few joggers and walkers. It gets a little crowded after about 4 PM as many who come to visit the lighthouse nearby, take walks on the beach. A warning - Don`t let the quiet environs and the sea lure you into wading too deep. The sea can get pretty rough and caution is advised.

The Blue Matsya on Kaup Beach offered a lovely holiday, the kind my family and I would like to experience again.   

Mandvi : A Beach Of Many Delights

Mandvi was my family`s destination of choice, a couple of years ago. It is a small town in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Once a major port, it was the summer home for the Maharaja of Kutch. Mandvi has a 400 year old ship building industry and wooden ships continue to be built there. It is also home to the famous Vijay Vilas Palace. In recent years, the palace has featured in many a Bollywood movie.

Adjoining the palace is a private beach that offers air-conditioned tented accommodation. The beach is pristine and beautiful. Early morning walks, with windmills in the distance and the rays of the sun lighting up the water, were enjoyable. During low tide, the water recedes about a hundred metres making it possible to safely walk a long way into the sea. Interesting patterns are visible on the sand beneath the shallow, clear waters.

One evening, as we were leaving the beach around dusk, I spotted something scurrying in the sand.  What seemed like a plus-sized rat at first, turned out to be a hedgehog. The little animal, now conscious of our presence, froze in its tracks. We watched it in awe yet let it be, even as I slowly drew my camera. Conscious of the now potentially diminished threat and, perhaps, warming up to our company, the hedgehog posed.

The sights and experiences Mandvi offered, built into our well-structured itinerary, made for a wonderful vacation. Its many surprises, including the encounter with the nocturnal visitor, raised our experience a notch.