My Difficult Decision

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be”
‘It all started with a call from a friend.. ‘
I was busy and happy with my routine life.
And then I got a call from a friend asking me to be a part of a women’s drive in the coastal side of India starting from Mumbai towards Trivandrum and then from there till Kolkata.
Now, this was something I haven’t thought of even in my wildest dream and that too without my family and my eight-year-old daughter.
This was a difficult decision in my life.
I’m not being cynical here but only ladies and that too in a coastal side of India would mean umpteen number of risks and difficulties during the trip. But for some reason, I ignored all these negative thoughts in my mind and started looking forward to this thrilling opportunity.
As we all know ‘Opportunity never knocks twice’ Similarly, I didn’t have any intention to let go of this amazing opportunity either. whereas, my family also supported me in this decision.
And from there the planning for the journey started. We had a meeting with the rest of the team and decided on the dates and the organiser disclosed the planned itinerary for our drive.
We all decided to divide the work and accordingly the tasks were given, like planning the route, working with and optimizing the route, making a what-to-carry list etc.
We contacted everyone from our friend list, especially those who could drive a car and approached them and asked them if they were remotely interested in joining us for the trip.
Everyone was from a different circle yet shared the same zest about the venture.
And then there was me so my decision of going for the drive turned out to be part of a series of a difficult decision that came along with it. You might come across them when you read further.
In our team of ladies, we all were from different backgrounds and also of different age groups.
One lady in our group is a Mountaineer, then few of them are entrepreneurs, one including me is a writer, and one who has organised is a singer too.
This was the team. Seven, raring to go, women!
We were all set!
Our sponsorship for the car minus Fuel was organized by the Mahindra people. We all felt obliged to them as they provided us with a ‘Mahindra Scorpio 4×4’ for our expedition.

Five of them started their journey from Mumbai. They travelled with the Coastline towards Goa then Karnataka then Kerala and reached Trivandrum where I committed to joining them, as I was wishing to travel the east part of Coastal India.
I was all set. All bags were packed. Each person is carrying one big bag and one small handbag. That was one of the ground rules. So I stuck to that notion of travelling and left Mumbai alone for Trivandrum.
One more difficult decision. As I wasn’t sure whether they were going to pick me or not. But two of them came to pick me up at the airport and we all reached the place where the rest of the ladies were living. I was welcomed by everyone. When I reached there, One of the ladies was shaving her head which was a cultural shock for me I was a bit taken back for a while and I thought I’m among some Hippies. The place was ok but the construction seemed new. But despite all these thoughts and things, I came across I had a very clear vision of my decision and was ready to adapt to anything and everything.
And from there my journey started.
We were five ladies again as one left from Trivandrum who was only for the Western part of India on this journey.
Among us, only three of us would be driving as one is not allowed due to her leg injury and the other has not learnt to drive. So my turn for driving started on the first day of my arrival itself. Which was an amazing experience. As sitting still would have been boring is what I felt.
‘What a ride it has been so far.
Beautiful coastal roads…
Some layered for miles with trees!
Some layered for miles with bright-coloured houses!
Some layered for miles with nothingness!’
I thoroughly enjoyed the driving then the halts the scenic beauty on the way and also these amazing Co-travellers of mine.
‘For long stretches, the roads were cratered and for a few stretches the roads were smooth!’
Our accommodations were already booked for our everyday halt and accordingly, we use to start our journey towards the Eastern Coastline of India every day.

Starting from Trivandrum we headed for Kanyakumari followed by Rameshwaram, Vellanki and then Pondicherry.
We had a halt in pondicherry which followed with the news that two of our ladies’ co-traveller are leaving back home.
Initially, after a lady who was supposed to leave from Pondicherry, we were supposed to be four and then after Vijayawada, one more companion would have joined us. Which makes five who will stay till the end of the journey. But all of a sudden the scenario changed. There are just two of us left for the next two days. Just me and the one who organised this trip. Now at this moment for a while even I was shaken by that, shall I call the trip off and return home? Or continue the expenditure? But then it’s been just five days out of my 19 days planned tour. It was a difficult decision for both of us. But eventually, we made up our minds and thought of continuing the journey by keeping a low profile at least till the third Co-traveller joins us. Which was a high risk but for some reason I was mentally prepared to face the consequences. Hence, I was feeling bad for my other friend as she was the organiser and backbone of the team, she was a bit nervous and worried. Which was considered. I assured her that “whatever happens I’m not going to leave you even if you send me, I won’t be going back”
And we continued the journey after Tamil Nadu we headed towards Andra Pradesh.
The infrastructure was wonderful and also the people we met were all so helpful. Hence, Vijayawada our third partner joined us. Which added a new zeal to the trip now we all were of the same age and almost the same mindset.
Then the journey was set as we now knew however we’ve started we three are going to stay till the last leg of our adventure which is going to end at Kolkata.
We visited some amazing places during our journeys like ‘Vivekanand Memorial in Kanyakumari’, ‘Rameshwaram temple at Rameshwaram’., ‘Vellanki beach’, also ‘Danish Fort at Tranquebar’, En route Pondicherry. ‘Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram in pond cherry including the beautiful beach there. Also ‘Pulicat and Sullurupeta Birds sanctuary’ followed by ‘ISRO Center at Shriharikota’ on the way to Nellore. Then Vijayawada and Kakinada followed by Vishakapatnam, where we visited the beautiful ‘Simhachalam temple and also explored the beach there. We had our first halt in orisa at Gopalpur and After that Next long stay was in Puri where lord Jagannath resides. Around Puri we explored the ‘Konark sun temple’, and The Craft Village ‘Raghurajpur’ and also visited ‘Chillika lake’ filled with Migrated birds and wonderful Dolphins. We also saw the unique beach of Chandipur and reached Kolkata. Returned the car and made the most of our time in Kolkata. Which was memorable with the places like ‘Kaliaghat, Victoria Memorial’, authentic cuisines and authentication of the city itself.
I feel lucky enough that I’ve decided to go on this trip and proved to so many including myself that no decision is difficult if you have the strength and willpower to face it and come out of it as a winner.

Coastal Diaries Day – 14

Day 14. January-24.
Puri
We hired a car for roaming around Puri and had planned to go to Chilika Lake near Satpada. We hired a boat from there and started out boat trip around 10:00 which lasted till evening. It was really an amazing experience. We saw some Dolphins but too fast for my camera as they were not in the mood to come near us and pose for us they were maintaining the low profile and we as a good tourists behaved ourselves.
On the way towards Sea Mouth we saw so many beautiful migrated birds enjoying their afternoon after meal time sitting by the bamboo sticks placed everywhere within the lake. Then we stopped by an island parked our boat there we saw so many sea creatures waiting for being cooked. And a guy with a basket full of shells with a real pearl in it.
these girls had live sea food. As in fresh Tiger Prawns and crabs recently caught from the water. I loved the sea on the other side of the island this was really an unique experience when you have a lake on one end and beautiful waves of Bay of Bengal on other.
After food we all were so drowsy but then still visited the ‘Chilika Visitor’s centre’ after coming on land. We reached back around 5:30-6:00. Then we just chilled out.
I’ve noticed that drivers here in puri are really very arrogant and they have this irritating habit of honking after every few minutes despite the car is within the traffic or on the empty road. And also they give money to anyone and everyone who stops them. That can be some random bhaktjans who has arranged some pooja and collecting money from car drivers or a place that don’t seem like a toll booth nor they provide any receipt. Which is so weird.
We got our car today in the evening. Which was receiving so from tomorrow we didn’t need to waste money on any such drivers.
As we’re planning to goto Konark and Raghurajpur tomorrow.

Coastal Diaries Day – 13

Gopalpur to Puri
We had heavy filling breakfast at our resort at Gopalpur and left from Gopalpur around 8:00a.m. vidula and Sumati will be driving today. The drive was almost 150kms from Gopalpur to Puri. It was refreshing and filled with heartwarming landscapes, fields and lots of migrated birdies. I guess this whole area starting from Pulicat and all the way towards Puri is full with migrated birds during this season of the year. That is one of the reason for many beautiful sanctuaries around this area.
I was sitting at the back seat so got a chance to capture some amazing flicks.

We reached Puri around 12:00p.m had lunch and went to take the blessings of Lord Jaganath . Thr temple was good not clean though the Idol was colourful and very well maintained but the people specially the pandas here are ruining the essence of the place by commercialising and cussing the devotees about how god will curse if they don’t give money or if You won’t buy prasaad there. Which was a bit disheartening though. But the Temple is amazing, I liked the Carving near the Sthambs but sadly, that too is fading away as a new white and red cemented construction is coming on it.

The temple is popular as one of the four dhams. Puri sees millions of devotees throng the Jagannath Temple premises throughout the year seeking the blessings of Lord.
The security follows some rules before allowing the devotees inside. They will ask you your religion. I’m thankful he didn’t ask me my Gotra. As only Hindus are allowed to visit the temple.
We roamed around the place for awhile, tried some delicacies and also booked a cab for Tomorrow for Chilika and left for hotel.

Our car was sent for servicing at a Mahindra service centre.
Then we grabbed a chance to capture the blissful Sunset while coming back to our hotel.
Puri offers the tourist the rare opportunity of witnessing the colourful Sun rise and Sun set at the same place.
Which is rare.


This was the view from our hotel 😀

Coastal Diaries Day – 12

Vishakapatnam to Odissa (Gopalpur)
January 22.
We left from Vizag around 9:00-9:30a.m. for Gopalpur which is around 300kms today’s drive was bit longer as compared to other days. While leaving Vishakapatnam I wasn’t feeling so good, I think it was the city I felt in love with or may be the place we visited last night. I will definitely come with Sumit again for a weekend stay here.
Then on the way we stopped at a place for food a typical Odisha cusine was served, I loved the food 😀

And here starts our journey in a new state. Each state has its own way of welcoming you. Here in odissa ‘I observed that people on the road contemplate keenly they wait for someone coming in your direction and then head towards them so they can bang or atleast scold the driver who is on the wrong side of the globe according to them’😝

Gopalpur and our resort (swosti resort)both gave me a relaxing break from the hectic day. The beach was mesmerizing. One of the cleanest and pleasant one. This languorous beach with coconut groves, casuarinas and gentle sand dunes is deserted for miles.

We just Chilled around the beach for few hours and then had most amazing food at Hotel Mayfair just next to our resort. Which again is a very posh place for commercial meetings. And our day ended with equally soothing and yummazing dessert🍰

Coastal Diaries Day – 11

Kakinada to Vishakapatnam

January 21.

We started early today from Kakinada and reached Vishakapatnam aka Vizag around 12:00-12:30 p.m. to Vishakapatnam. I liked this place so much it has so much positive vibes around. One of my Neighbor Rashi Gupta is also from Vizag she always have so many lovely things to say about her hometown now I know why. Even our hotel ‘Daspalla’ where we are staying is quite elegant.
The Security at the entrance were so kind, a guy and a lady. The moment we entered they welcomed us do warmly and were so amused to see only girls travelling and driving for so many days. The lady was so curious about our trip and enquired about our route and also showed her concern about our wellness. Later then, everytime we went out that lady was continuously smiling with appreciation:)
We had lunch at the hotel’s restaurant and then had planned to Visit a temple nearby so me and Sumati left the temple is just 18kms near Vizag. It is called Simhachalam It is dedicated to Narasimha (the man-lion), an incarnation of Vishnu. The architectural style of the central shrine is Kalinga architecture.
Had Darshan and Prasad and sat there for awhile. Legend has it that the Ugra form of Narasimha as he killed the demon Hiranyakashipu was so fierce that the image is kept covered by sandal paste throughout the year. The image resembles a Shivalingam covered with sandal paste. It is only once a year, during the Chandana Visarjana that the sandal paste is removed, and the image is seen by pilgrims. During Akshaytritiya.

We returned back to Vizag and picked Vidula from hotel then we explored the beach road. Vizag is really clean and very beautiful. We also got a chance to encounter a Live Boxing Match there which was something I’ve never seen.
We even planned to visit the ‘Submarine Museum’ but unfortunately it was closed due to renovation work in progress. As it was wrecked badly by the recent Cyclone named as ‘Hud Hud’ We roamed around for awhile and then went to the Hotel ‘The Park‘ for dinner at ‘Bamboo Bay’
It was one of the most romantic place I’ve recently been. But then when you see so much love in the air you instantly miss your beloved and want them beside you to relish the moment🙂

Even the food there was so amazing .This is among those places I will love to come back with my hubby 😉

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.