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Anjuna Beach, Goa |
With its fluorescent painted palm trees and full moon parties, Anjuna Beach,
8-km west of Mapusa, is one of the most popular beaches of Goa. Most people's
reasons for coming to Anjuna are the same as they were in the 1970s: dancing and
lying on the beach slurping tropical fruit. While browsing in the area have a
day trip to the famous flea market of Anjuna, a major shopping hangout, beside
the beach. Anjuna attracts a variety of tourists touring Goa, and the crowd includes from the happy go lucky kinds to overlanders, monks, defiant ex-hippies, gentle lunatics, artists, artisans, seers, searchers etc. Even those particular kinds of tourists who prefer to travel within the limit of their tour itinerary, cannot resist visiting this charming beach site.
Tropical Sights Of Anjuna Beach
Bathing is generally safer at Anjuna than at most of the nearby resorts, especially at the more peaceful southern end of the beach, where a rocky headland keeps the sea calm and the undertow to a minimum. Taking long walks under the moon on the silver sands of this beach is something that any visitor would love to do at Anjuna, beside the favourite pastime of watching the sun going
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down.
At the north of the Anjuna Flea market ground, the beach area broadens, running in an uninterrupted kilometre long stretch of steeply shelving sand to a low red cliff. The village bus park lies on top of this high ground, where small cafes, bars and Kashmiri handicraft stalls are lined, making a perfect hangout zone near the beach site. Every lunch hour, tour parties from Panjim also pull-up in here for a beer, before heading home again, leaving the localities and tired tourists to watch the sunset peacefully and relax a bit.
Visiting Time
The tourist season in Anjuna starts in early November, when most of the long staying regulars show up. During the Christmas and New Year rush, the village and beach site is busy with a mixed crowd of round the world backpackers and tourists from all over India, attracted by the promise of the big beach parties.
In off-season however, Anjuna has a surprisingly simple unhurried atmosphere. Visitors can also opt to stay at the large package tour hotels and beach resorts that have appeared over the past couple of years near the Anjuna beach site.
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Entertainment & Amusements At Anjuna
Thanks to the kill-joy attitude reputation, Anjuna is a rave-venue for big parties that take place over here from time to time, especially around the Christmas-New Year full moon period. At other times, Anjuna's nightlife centres on the Shore Bar, in the middle of the beach, which has a pounding sound system and play some real funky music that always keep the atmosphere alive. The biggest crowds show up accompanied by the latest ambient trance mixes from London. The music gains pace as the evening wears on winding up before midnight, when there's an exodus over to the Guru Bar, further up the beach, or to the Primrose Café
in Vagator, both of which stay open until after midnight. TheAlcove, over looking Ozran Vagator Beach, is another worthwhile nightspot to hangout near Anjuna. More mainstr
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-eam musical entertainment is on offer at Temptations,
in the Red Cab Inn just below Starco's crossroads, where Indian classical recitals and guitar based cover bands feature with fire dancers on Mondays.
Eating Out Places At Anjuna
Both the beachfront and village at Anjuna are flooded with good places to eat and drink. Most are simple semi open-air, thatched palm leaf affairs, specializing in fish and western food. All serve cold beer, invariably with thumping techno music in the background. On the beach, tourists can buy fresh fruits, including watermelons, pineapples and locally grown coconuts from the local vendors. |
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Juhu Beach, Mumbai |
In Maharashtra Beach travelling pleasant throughout the year. In particular, the
capital city of Mumbai is blessed with many beaches in its vicinity, that
present a breather to the local population as well as act as attractive tourist
option for those visiting from outside. One such beach site is Juhu, one of the
largest and frequently visited beaches of India.
Leisure & Entertainment At Juhu
Located 18-km north of the city centre, it's a major beach site on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh localities of Mumbai where one can find the bungalows of the famous film personalities of Bollywood. It's also a favourite
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shooting site among the filmmakers as many film shootings are also held over here. On the southern end of the Juhu beach one can find many Luxury hotels and apartments, which are regarded as a favourite haunt of Mumbai's movers and shakers. The beach, which almost seems deserted during weekdays, always tends to get very crowded on weekends. On weekends one can take the pleasure of horse and donkey rides, dancing monkeys, acrobats, cricket matches, toy sellers and every other type of Indian beach entertainment. Vendors ply on the beach calling attention to their wares, which are mostly souveneirs like T-shirts and cute little Indian dolls made from seashells.
Eating Joints At Juhu Beach
Generally it is not a very good place to swim, but it's an ideal snack joint, with various food stalls. If you would like to try out Bhelpuri or a Kulfi in Mumbai, Juhu is the place to be. If you want a more fancy excursion, visit Juhu's many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The government run Juhu Centaur also has a 24-hour coffee shop with a view of the sea.
Attractions Around Juhu Beach
Versova Beach:Versova Beach is the nearby attraction located towards the north of Juhu, which is a home to Mumbai's largest Koli fishing community.
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Kovalam Beach, Kerala |
Situated on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline is a small village of
Kovalam. This quiet town of Kovalam came on the tourist map, when its beautiful
and secluded beaches were discovered.
Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
Locales Surrounding Kovalam
The palm-fringed bays of Kovalam in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The unforgettable image of
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Kovalam is that of the coconut-palms-lined high rock promontory that cuddles the calm and wide expanse of the blue waters. This marvellous beach is a tourist's dream come true.
The Three Beaches Of Kovalam
The beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach
and the most popular from the three, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on
the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque, but
photography is prohibited here.
The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times. It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.
Water Sports At Kovalam
Kovalam is a natural bay ideal for kayaking, swimming, surfing and skiing. One can swim in the shallow blue water and have a sunbath in the exotic tropical sun can adorn you with a good suntan. The coast at many places is lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs or you can crest the waves on logs of lashed woods on catamarans.
Leisure & Entertainment Activities At Kovalam Beach
When you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful seafood fare including lobsters available at the beach-side restaurants of Kovalam.
In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the Kovalam beachside is enlivened by Kathakali performances, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. At present Kovalam is developed not only as a beach resort, but also as a Yoga and health center. One can have Ayurvedic massages and oil baths or learn in detail the methods of doing Yoga and meditation taught by experts.
From Kovalam, you can go for a backwater cruise to the beautiful countryside of Kerala paddling country boats, enjoying its lush greenery. A few hotels even offer houseboats, country boats and catamarans for the tourists at reasonable rates.
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Marina Beach, Chennai |
Welcome to the longest beach of India, Marina Beach, comprising of golden sand, good surf and a shimmering clean blue sea. This beach is counted among one of the longest beaches in Asia. Its 12-km long stretch was made beautiful by the wonderful facelift given by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in the early 1880's, and is Chennai's major tourist attraction today.
Leisure & Entertainment Activities At Marina Beach
Marina beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sun set and rise |
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from the beach is a fascinating experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous, as the undercurrent is very strong, even then people come for swimming here. In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. |
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With its natural sandy beauty and spacious promenade and beautiful gardens, the Marina beach is a major attraction for tourists visiting Chennai. One can even shop around the beach, with local vendors hawking wares ranging from shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit juices. The Marina, however, is large enough to accommodate all visitors as well as the hawkers and is often the venue for important state functions. There are also facilities of pony rides at the beach site, which attract the children's interest the most.
Attractions Around Marina Beach
Some of the most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras, Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice House are located on the beach drive. At the other end of the beach is the new lighthouse. In between, sentinels on the promenade, are several statues of Tamil scholars and two splendid bits of sculpture- the Victory of Labour and the Mahatma Gandhi.
Aquarium:
Close to the Marina beach is the aquarium, which has some of the most exotic collection of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes. The aquarium gives a chance to have a closer look at the aquatic life. The Ice House, which was used to store ice brought from Great Lakes in North America, is south to the Aquarium.
Anna And MGR Samadhis
Situated on the beach, the Anna and MGR Samadhis, which are the memorials of the most popular, former Chief ministers of the state; attracts a good chunk of crowd everyday.
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Gopalpur beach, Orissa |
One of the most pristine beaches of Orissa, this small beach is a splendid retreat for sea worshippers, located about 16-km from Berhampur. Once a humming seaport, Gopalpur offers its visitors a slice of serenity in environs that are conducive to introspection and conviviality.
One can still see the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty, witness to its past glory of commercial activity. The pleasures of the Blue Beach and the Blue Bay of her backwaters continue to lure the water babies. Gopalpur-on-Sea is a surfer's delight and excellent for sailing. |
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Discovery of a Holiday Hideout
Originally, a small fishing village on the coast of Orissa, it was so named when a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was constructed some time in the 18th century. Apart from its temple, Gopalpur was distinguished for its magnificent beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resort.
The East India Company built huge warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and Gopalpur had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon. In those days, there were dances and parties that continued until the early hours and wealthy Bengalis from Calcutta made it their holiday home.
Gopalpur's importance dwindled when trade with Burma abruptly ceased during the war and never revived again. When the British left India, even members of rich Bengali homes preferred to holiday in other places of the country, Gopalpur reverted to what it was originally, a fishing village.
With an increase in tourist trade in the late seventies, and the opening of luxury hotels, a slow revival began and today Gopalpur-On-Sea is one of the foremost beach resorts in India.
This is the one beach that is as yet, not exposed much to tourism and hence still unspoiled. If you are looking for a quiet holiday in the lap of nature, the beach at Gopalpur awaits you. A golden beach fringed by sand dunes and ruins of an old jetty from where, in medieval times, sailors set out to Indonesia, make this an ideal place for a relaxing holiday. A perfect beach, fairly isolated and undisturbed by the day-trippers.
EXCURSIONS FROM GOPALPUR BEACH
Chilika Lake:
Situated at a distance of 45-km from Gopalpur and spreading over an area of 1,100-sq-km, this is the largest brackish water lake in the country and attracts large number of migratory birds.
Taptapani:
As the name suggests, is a hot water sulphur spring situated around 67-km from Gopalpur.
How To Get to Gopalpur Beach
Air:
Situated 180-km away, Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport from where one can take flights for major cities such as Delhi and Calcutta.
Rail:
The nearest railway station is Berhampur on the Howrah-Chennai line of Southeastern Railway. One can take trains to Calcutta and Chennai from this place.
Road:
Gopalpur is connected by motorable road to Barkul (75-km), Berhampur (16-km), Bhubaneshwar (180-km), and Puri (242-km). Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are available to move around.
Where to stay at Gopalpur
Good accommodation options such as seaside resorts, luxurious hotels, and old bungalows are available at Gopalpur, with good servicing facilities and excellent view of the sea.
FOR MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Climate:
Being a beach resort, Gopalpur has a uniform temperature throughout the year. Temperature in the summer months touches a high of 35°C and a low of 23°C, respectively. Winter months are relatively cold with a maximum and minimum temperature of 27°C and 16°C, respectively. Gopalpur recieves an average annual rainfall of 118.7 cm.
Languages:
Oriya, Hindi & English
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