TRAVEL SPECIAL ..............Coast is Clear

Coast is Clear 
 

Beach fun with family

    Having lived in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in my formative years must have had something to do with my undying love for beaches. I vividly remember the spectacle where the entire shoreline turned amber during sunset, as crabs crawled near the rocks in the visible sea bed. Sea gulls cooed and took flight toward the disappearing giant ball of fire. As if in salutation to mother earth, the entire island thanked this moment of being alive, each day. Truly, beaches teach us a way of life. The coral reefs pump in oxygen, the coconut trees sway and direct the yachts toward favourable winds and fishermen worship Lord Varuna, guardian deity of the sea, before they go for a fresh catch. A tribal islander understands the importance of conservation of the flora and fauna. And so, longevity is a gift, here.
    It’s amazing how beaches in India bring along some romance, good adventure and family fun, in fact, all in a package, at all times. While flying is a quick option to make it to the most popular beach destinations of Goa, Lakshadweep and Andamans. We suggest you try the waterways, too. Take a cruise holiday and revel in some onboard fun. Exciting time is guaranteed here with amazing adventure sports to indulge in.
    Years ago, as a kid, we had boarded a passenger ship MV Akbar from Kolkata and set sail to Port Blair. There were families who were beaming with their vacation plans. But most of them were happy that the holiday had already begun as soon as they had boarded. While kids had multiple activities to do, so did the adults. Ship’s crew ensured that mealtime was always a gala affair. Days passed and as the islands approached, we stood in a line to behold the sight of being welcomed into India’s beautiful beach destination. Far away from mainland, it was time to live it up in Andamans (what was called Kalapani during the British rule). Years later, today, when I hold the conch shell I’d collected and press it against my ear, it still echoes the sound of the waves...and yes, I refuse to grow up.

TOP 10 BEACH HOLIDAYS IN INDIA
Andaman and Nicobar Islands for sea adventure and historic significance.
Lakshadweep for a diving holiday replete with lessons to go scuba diving.
Arambol and Palolem Beaches in Goa for romance and partying.
Om Beach in Gokarna, Karnataka for exclusivity and solo time.
Puri Beach in Odisha for yachting and boating fun apart from a visit to the popular Konark Temple.
Ganpatipule Beach in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra for beach sports adventure and then Alphonso tours.
Beaches in Malwan coast for family time along with parasailing, snorkelling and local Malwani food.
Marina Beach in Chennai for urban beachy fun and later to soak in Chennai’s culture.
Karaikal Beach in Pondicherry (also called Puducherry) for some old-world charm.
Visakhapatnam’s Rushikonda and RK Beach for surfing, swimming and wind sailing.
Karwar Beaches for exclusivity and newness and indulging in the culture and cuisine.
Mandwa and Kihim Beaches in Alibaug, Maharashtra
for sea-side resort stay and swimming.
DID YOU KNOW
GET TO A&N ISLANDS You can take a flight from flights to the capital of A&N Islands - Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi and Bhubaneshwar. By passenger ship, services are from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.

NIMISHA TIWARI ETTR130808