Hey Guys! It’s Bharath, back with another travel blog!
This time, we’re heading to the beautiful monsoon-soaked land of Gokarna. With a dream team of friends — Surendar, Harish, Santhanu, Geethanandhan, Balaji, and me — this was set to be an unforgettable trip after Kerala trip. So, buckle up as I take you through five days of adventure, beaches, and, of course, some hilarious mishaps!
Day 1: A Rocky Start, But We Made It!
Date: October 17th,
Place: Bengaluru
After days of planning (and a few arguments over the itinerary), we were all set to go! But heavy rains in Chennai tried their best to derail our plans. As trains got delayed or canceled, we were a bit worried. But our train was only 45 minutes late, so we were off to a lucky start! And yes, I got a “special sendoff” from a “special someone” — plus some tasty snacks for the journey!
Once we reached Bengaluru at 2 p.m., with hours to kill before our next train, we decided to visit Cubbon Park. Bengaluru welcomed us with its chill weather, which was a refreshing change. We enjoyed some gossip and snaps, hopped back to the station, and boarded our train to Murudeshwar at 7 p.m. We had a small card game marathon until sleep finally took over.
Day 2: Murudeshwar’s Magic and A Snake Surprise 🐍
Date: October 18th,
Place: Murudeshwar, Honnavar, Apsarakonda
Finally, we arrived in Murudeshwar! We booked an auto for the day, freshened up, and headed straight to the famous Murudeshwar Shiva Temple. The majestic statue beside the Arabian Sea was a breathtaking sight. Breakfast came in the form of a lovely prasadam meal at the temple.
Next, we were off to Honnavar for a boat ride through its picturesque backwaters. It felt like stepping into Kerala! Afterward, we explored the Mangrove Forest, this time on a wooden bridge that allowed us to walk over the lush trees — a unique and scenic experience.
After a stop at Honnavar Eco Beach for some chill vibes, we were ready to make a splash at Apsarakonda Falls. We took turns standing under the falls, and it was a hilarious mix of fun and pain as the water pounded down. Just when we thought our adventure was winding down, we stopped at a nearby temple pond. Suddenly, a medium-sized snake slithered by, and let’s just say we all jumped out of our skin! Even the auto driver got a good scare, so we had a laugh about it afterward.
We wrapped up the day with some beach time, a relaxed dinner, and plenty of laughs.
Day 3: Gokarna, Ghostly Rides, and Lost Keys
Date: October 19th,
Place: Gokarna, Yana Caves
The morning began with an early train ride, taking us through more scenic tunnels. By 11 a.m., we reached Gokarna. Scooties were rented, and we zoomed off to our beachside stay at Kudle Beach. We were only 20 meters from the shore — perfect for beach lovers like us!
Our next destination was the Yana Caves, 50 kilometers into the forest. The road there was straight out of a movie: winding paths through dense forest, barely any cell signal, and only a few signboards. We finally reached the caves, which were well worth the ride! Majestic rock formations stood before us, and we were amazed.
After exploring, the real challenge awaited us: riding 50 kilometers back in the pitch dark. Imagine a group of friends, flashlights out, riding through a forest that looked right out of a ghost story! We kept our speed steady and made it back in one piece. A tea shop on the highway was calling our names, and that tea tasted like pure magic after our eerie adventure.
We grabbed dinner and headed to the beach with food, speakers, and, well, loads of excitement. The night was filled with music, games, and a sandy beach dance party. Just when we thought it was the perfect night, we realized we lost our room keys in the sand! After a frantic search, we had to get a spare key from the room manager (and pay a fine, too). Lesson learned!
Day 4: Beach Trekking and the Best Tea in Town
Date: October 20th,
Place: Om Beach
We started the day with our ritual: morning tea by the beach. Today, it was time for a beach trek. From Kudle Beach, we trekked along cliffs to Om Beach, which is actually shaped like the “Om” symbol! The beach was perfect for photos, with its unique rock formations. I even found a fridge magnet for my collection — a must-buy for me!
After trekking back, we cooled off with a refreshing beach shower, floating on the waves and laughing as we got swept by the tide. Our next stop was supposed to be Mirjan Fort, but, of course, the rain had other plans. We waited it out by the highway tea shop from last night, savoring another cup of their special brew. It was that good!
As the rain slowed, we walked along the beach, feeling the peacefulness of the place. That night, we just sat by the beach, chatting about life, laughing about the trip, and soaking in the last bits of this amazing place. Oh, and this time, we kept our keys safe!
Day 5: Goodbye, Gokarna
Date: October 21st,
Place: Gokarna
On our last day, we walked along Kudle Beach, just taking in the serene vibes. After checking out and returning our scooties, we waited at the train station, reminiscing about our adventure. At 6 p.m., we boarded the train back to Bengaluru, exhausted but with our hearts full.
Day 6: Back to the Routine… For Now!
Date: October 22nd,
Place: Home
We reached Bengaluru early in the morning, shifted to our hometown train, and said goodbye to the sights of Uttar Karnataka. Gokarna, with its clean beaches, calm surroundings, and fewer crowds, was a perfect getaway. Now, it’s back to the daily grind — but not for long!
Stay tuned until next!
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