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.