We think holidays and we think hills, beaches or metros. More often than not, we tend to follow stereotypes and cliches and end up spending a bomb on a holiday that leaves us drained instead of rejuvenating us.
The whole idea of taking a vacation is to unwind and relax and not run around trying to make ‘the most’ of any place. Therefore, when my husband and I decided to take a three-day break, we had to do a lot of brainstorming, because given our time constraint, we didn’t want to cram too much into the short window. At the same time, we wanted to explore and be on our own.
After doing a lot of homework we decided to head out to Udupi and Manipal. When we shared this with our family and friends, we were asked the same question: ‘Why’? So, if you’re one of those people who is wondering why, here’s why.
Situated about five kilometres apart, Udupi and Manipal have the best of both worlds to offer — hills and beaches. If you want to have a whale of a time like we did, here’s what you’ve got to know.
Travel: If you decide to take a bus, you could get off either at Udupi or Manipal. Trains and flights will be available till Mangalore, which is 65 kilometres away.
Tips:
Accommodation: For your accommodation, there are various sites that offer hotels at very good rates, at times even at a 50% off. We happened to get one such deal and even though the hotel wasn’t all that amazing, yet, it was comfortable, and since we just wanted to camp only for the nights, we weren’t too bothered.
Tip: Check online deals before you hurry for bookings. Reliable sites do dish out good offers.
Udupi
Udupi is a sleepy little temple town. Once you reach Udupi, freshen up and head out straight to the Sri Krishna Temple. Founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhwacharya in the 13th century, it is one of the most celebrated temples in India.
Once done, don’t miss having breakfast at Woodlands, which is where the Masala Dosa originated. Nominally priced, this food won’t harm your tummy. Their banana bun is a must-try!
Udupi has a lot of beaches and we covered three on Day 1. We first headed out to Maravanthe beach, one of the most beautiful ones in Karnataka. This is where you get to see the river Souparnika almost touch the Arabian Sea. From there, we left for Malpe Beach, a commercial beach, which has a lot in store for the adventurous sorts. Water activities are available aplenty and they are priced decently well. But, do bargain.
There is also the Kaup, or Kapu beach which is famous for its lighthouse. But be careful while approaching the beach itself, because it’s a rather rough shore and there have been 17 cases of drowning reported there.
Tip: We took our friend’s bike and that makes life easier. Choose a mode of transport that allows you flexibility of being wherever you like. That will help you explore places better.
We also went to Manipal and a few other places. Stay tuned to this space till next Sunday to know more about our travel chronicles.