Coastal Diaries Day – 10

Vijaywada to Kakinada aka Coringa.
January – 20.

We had light breakfast at our Hotel in Vijaywada and left for Kakinada we’ve a new companion now. Sumati Madiman, she is a good driver and really perky. She can talk about anything and everything which made this drive more exciting and I’m really looking forward to know her more. I was little bit finicky about Andra Pradesh initially but somehow I felt I hardly know Andhra Pradesh and especially esthetic wise. Telangana and Andra Pradesh is not at all same. I really loved the roads and infrastructure here. Whereas at times I hated Hyderabad roads.
The ride was quite delightful today. We passed Godavari river as most of this area is surrounded by Godavari. We reached around 12:30-1:00 p.m. The hotel was ok but the staff was really very kind.

After having lunch we headed to Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary. Which wasn’t a sanctuary at all and definitely nothing related to Wildlife either. I guess there should be some wild animals or birds but can be viewed only in the interior of the sanctuary. Where local people or normal tourist aren’t allowed. There was a long wooden bridge so we clicked a lot of pics there.
At the entry gate the lady demanded me for Rs.200 each by saying ‘We need to pay that as we are Tourists’ I was so amused and also bit agitated by the comment. Sumati still laughs about this scene that people calling us tourists. Even later on that wooden bridge ‘People came to us and asked us get our pictures clicked with them’ that was really weird. But we agreed and thought of it as a new experience and enjoyed the attention 😄

Then Vidula insisted that we should go to Yanam. Yanam [French: Yanaon] is a town in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. There was not much to explore so we came back to Kakinada.

Coastal Diaries Day – 9

Nellore to Vijaywada.
19-January.
As it was just two of us, Me and Vidula, we started early today. On the way we stopped by a shack and had some amazing south Indian breakfast.

I drove almost 200kms today. We reached Vijaywada around 12:00p.m. met Sumati Madiman, our new cotraveller. I was so relived to see her. She added the much required freshness to the drive.
We freshen up and left for ‘Gora Science Centre‘ there we met so many amazing people. We met Subha, her uncles and her Grandmother (Daughter of Mr.Gora), theyall are actually the descendants of Mr. Gora.

‘Gora Science Centre‘ was started by Mr.Gora and Saraswati Gora in 1961. The centre with its interactive touch, feel and explore popular science exhibits helps people to understand basic scientific principles and develop critical inquiry. The centre adopts scientific strategies to investigative the claims of the paranormal and godmen. It also focuses awareness building on witchcraft and sorcery and their impact on children and women.
They were waiting for us, we had lunch there. Homemade lunch ahh after a long time.(I loved the Tomato-Baingan Thecha)
Then we visited the centre. And later a reporter from ‘The Hindu‘ Mrs. Sujhatha Verma, took our interview for her newspaper. Which was so enthralling. While answering her queries I’d this self realization my excitement and guilt regarding the trip that ‘how we all want a break from our routine. It isn’t about the people or place but the same old routine we’re following and yes enjoying it though. Still a break like this makes you feel completely free and rejuvenates your soul.’
On the way to Vijaywada somewhere near Guntur we stopped by a milestone and were so happy to know that the team has already covered almost 3500 kms till now and that again is an achievement in itself 🙂

Coastal Diaries Day – 8

January 18.
Sellarupet to Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

Now after the girls leaving, it is just me and Vidula till Vijaywada. Sumati is suppose to join us there. We started early today as we have planned to visit Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary. Which was mesmerizing and worth. It is the second largest brackish-water eco-system in India after Chilika lake in Orissa. We saw some amazing birds there.

Also we were lucky to capture some spectacular Pink Flamingos while heading towards Satish Dhawan Rocket Launching Centre, ISRO at Shriharikota.
When we reached at the ISRO Centre we came to know that it is opened only two days in week and only those people with authorised letter are allowed to visit the Rocket launching pad. And right now there is nothing much to see than the colonies where people/workers are leaving. So we clicked some pics from outside and we left for Kakinada.

We reached Nellore around 12:30.p.m.
It was a relaxing day. Started with a bang though.
It was Sunday today when people were just waking up and planning their day whereas, our day was already made 🙂