Bike Ride to Turtle Bay & Maravanthe Beach, 03/07/2011

Here is another weekend without lectures. If this was last year, I would have been lazing around in my room and watching movies. But things change and in a year, I realized what I love doing. Any guesses??? Travelling of course.. I had initially planned a bike trip to Sita falls but that didn't materialize. So, early in the morning I got a call from Sarvesh suggesting that we go to Turtle Bay - a place near Kundapur, about 60 kms from our college. I agreed instantaneously and asked Khushal who initially hesitated but later gave in.

So, we were 4 of us - Harshal, Sarvesh, Khushal & myself on two bikes off for an adventure ride to Turtle Bay. We stopped for breakfast at some restaurent near the Udupi Bus stand and took off on our 1.5 hr ride from there. We bought some mazaa (Mango drink) in case we needed some energy boosters mid way. I was initially worried about the roads and also the Big Volvo's overtaking vehicles at high speeds, just a cut and we would go flying somewhere. Luckily none of it happened. The roads were amazing & both of us, Harshal & me we riding safely, allowing those massive vehicles to overtake whenever they wanted to. So, after an hour and a half of a great ride, we reached Turtle Bay. We parked the bikes and walked towards the shore. It was beautiful and serene. However, it was not a beach where we could go in the water and have some fun. Still, the view was amazing and Sarvesh & me started clicking photos. After some clicks, we decided to go to Maravanthe beach, about 3 kms from there. 

We reached the beach in no time. Infact, we went far ahead and had to come back after asking few locals there. This beach was a beauty, very clean and not crowded. It has a road running parallel to it with some rocks dividing the shore & the road. It looks great and the ride there is an experience in itself. The sound of waves splashing, winds blowing onto ur face and the view itself... feels as if you are a free bird meant to just fly. We then clicked some pictures there, had tea at a local shop and decided to leave for Manipal where we would eat our late lunch (at about 5 pm).

Our return journey was again great with the view still stuck to my mind. It felt great to know that I was at Turtle Bay and not in my room watching another movie. We reached Manipal by about 4.45 pm and after our  late lunch at Snack shack, all of us sleepy and tired, reached college by 5.30 pm. Coming back to the room and lying flat on the bed after a tiring but a terrific ride...feels heavenly. Now looking forward for some more breaks where I can go and visit more wonderful such places nearby Manipal/Udupi.

K.G

Manipal, Karnataka