We humans have managed to make our lives so complicated that unless we take a breather every now and then, its impossible to keep our sanity. City life keeps piling on stress and chronic anxiety till we sigh - its time for a break!
I spent a couple of days away from the city's drill with my family in a seaside town - Bakkhali, situated about 135 kms away from Kolkata.
Luckily, we had planned the trip in such a manner, we could avoid the noisy Holi crowd in Kolkata and spend the festival of colours amid the splendour of nature and the sea.
Slightly offbeat, very soothing
Situated in South 24 Parganas, Bakkhali isn't as famous as the beach towns of Digha or Mandarmani. The reason maybe the receding and tame waves of the sea here. The beach is moon-shaped, undulating, and the waters follow the movement of the tides rather diligently.
So, one day you will find the waves lapping at your feet on entering the beach, while on others, you have to walk a mile through the sands to wet your feet. And walking on hot sands isn't everyone's idea of fun!
If you can give this little inconvenience a nod, then you can enjoy a lovely holiday. The beach has less crowds, stretches quite a bit and offers some relaxed enjoyment. You can just sit gazing at the sea, read a book or listen to some music, or take a walk by the sea. The wind isn't that rough, and there are chairs on hire with umbrellas.
Sip a tender coconut, and let the sea wipe off your tension and stress. Venture a little further, and you see tiny crabs and shellfish creating patterns on the sand. Walk ahead, and suddenly the sea appears. Ease yourself into the calm sea, and relax. On peak days, there is a crowd, but off-season you will find it fairly empty.
Important - Remember to lather on sun-screen and take an umbrella or hat as the sun is pretty hot most part of the year. Also, there are no public restrooms or changing rooms, so wear your beach wear from the hotel itself. In fact, keeping your stuff safe on the beach is an issue, unless one person stays back to guard it.
Places to see around Bakkhali
This isn't your usual tourist destination with 10 "spots" to tick off your checklist. Ideally, a couple of days can be spent loitering on the beach itself.
One nearby spot you must not miss is Henry's Island, a mangrove forest-encircled beach, about 30 minutes away by read.
It is even more serene than Bakkhali, pristine and untouched almost. If you go around sun down, its almost magical with the setting sun casting a golden glow on the smooth white sands surrounding the sea.
There is no commercial activity around, and that makes it even more peaceful. The gently overlapping waves, the soft sands, the clean beach - its heaven for travellers who enjoy calm and quiet. Stay options are very few in Henry's Island, so you need to make a day trip from Bakkhali.
There's Kargil beach too nearby, but we never got there, as we were mesmerized by Henry's Island. 2-3 other spots and a eco park are there, though we didn't go.
Bakkhali and Henry's Island are enough to recharge your batteries. WBTDC Balutot Tourism Property is a convenient and comfortable option to stay at.
So, next time you want a break from city life, go to Bakkhali and chill.
How to Reach -
By road - takes roughly 5-6 hours. There are plenty of luxury buses plying from Kolkata Explanade. By car, you have to take a few breaks, as the road near Ushthi and Namkhana are narrow and poorly lit. IF you take the Diamond Harbour Road, prepare to be caught in traffic snarls.
By train - Local trains ply from Sealdah to Namkhana. From there, you need to hire a toto or car.
Where to Stay -
There are plenty of decent hotels near the beach, though sea facing rooms aren't available. West Bengal Tourism Department (WBTDC)'s sprawling resort is a good option.
Rooms are reasonably priced, well maintained and there are decent options available in food and drink. Don't expect 5-star services though!
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