St.Mary's Island and Malpe beach : a weekend outing

There are times when I'm caught up in the hectic web of my research that I need a break to shake myself so that I can get back with more energy.This Sunday was one such weekend that I didn't have much time to go for a long travel still I couldn't ignore the travel bug inside me, that is when I decided to let the traveler in me free. Malpe beach is 141 km from were I live and  that is the map I followed.

I started my day 7:30am from Kasargod junction in train number 12685 that reached Mangalore central at 9:00 am after a quick breakfast from TajMahal restaurant near the station I set off to Nehru bus stand for a Volvo to Manipal.I have always been in love with the bus travel in them I love the calm and soothing way the bus glides through NH 17.I reached Udupi something close to an hour .Not succumbing to the temptation to visit Sri Krishna temple, Uduppi, I  searched for a bus to Malpe beach.People there were quite friendly and directed me to the place were bus to Malpe beach halted. Malpe beach is around 10 km from the bus stand that takes roughly 15 mins.Now there are two options to get to St.Mary's island first stop that would take you to the place were you can get a ferry and the second place that would take you to the main beach were you can enjoy some time in the beach with some water sports for the adventurous soul. and there are ferrys available from the beach though that I understood later is at a higher cost.I opted for the second stop to my surprise turned out to be a better choice as the beach was just great.

Coast is cleaner and well maintained with many options for water
sports.I just loved to walk bare feet to feel the soft and whiter sand spread through the length of the beach.The beach is less commercialised hence not my options for food outlets are available still like any other south Indian beach spicy sea foods are available for hard core foodie.

I got in my ferry and set off to my journey to St.Marys island , it would close to 15 minutes to reach there.Have a clear look at your ferry and get your pick up time correctly so that you get back without any hazzels. That was the first view of St.Marys island from the boat..

Frankly I didn't know about this island until I read a report about a fisherman whom swam from this island to Malpe beach with his hands and legs tied..Some more research about the island enlightened me about its special rocklike columns made of basalt lava as a result of volcanic eruption some centuries ago when Madagascar was still part of India..Thus making this place even more interesting..

The place is plastic free zone , even if you don't see any sign kindly do not litter around the place and spoil the beauty..I read that the island has fallen pray to human abuse, but from I could see authorities have taken necessary actions and taken good care of it..The day was a bright sunny day so I had a great time enjoying my time in the island..The shore was filled with shell remnants something that I have not seen in other beaches..

The beach is shallow and water very clear that you can see the bed clearly..

This part of the island is not that swimmer friendly because of its rock formation still you can enjoy the feel of gentle waves crashing onto your feet I would call that bliss...

The tourism authorities have made hut like structures for the people to rest and hang around 

But somehow I still preferred to sit very close to the waves and enjoy my moment.

Around 2 I got into my ferry back to Malpe beach by then it was buzzing with people and energy..

After that all happend in a rush from beach to Uduppi and then to Mangalore in volvo then straight to railway station for train number 16603 Maveli express at 17:45.. I reached Kasargod around 18:24 and happily got home recalling my great day striking of yet another place in my travel list..

Note:

Carry enough water to get you through the day..Kindly avoid plastic covers .Its everyone's duty to take care of the place for our sake.

Also carry something to eat as not much options are available at the island..

Go in a gang to enjoy the water sports and its absolutely save for  girls who would like to explore all by themselves.

How to reach:

Malpe beach is 141km from Kasargod, 59.5 km from Mangalore.

I travelled by train to till Mangalore, there are trains till Uduppi for people interested just check the time for your convenience.

Harangi dam, Dubare elephant camp - Coorg,Karnataka

Ahead of Dubare , we headed onto Harangi dam which is 6km from Nisargadhama..Harangi Dam  buit on river Kavery, is a grand water reservoir....Since it was closed for some maintenance all we could was happily sit and relax with no hustle bustle of the crowd...There is a statue of  goddess kavery near the reservoir...The road towards the dam is deserted and its a relief from the highway road that we left behind...

Dubare forest reserve is 10 km from Harangi dam.. Dubare elephant camp is managed by the forest department of Coorg..Take a left turn from the highway driving towards Madikeri and you’ll find   yourself through narrow country road with coffee and cocoa plantation with sprinkler.. Most house had a look of farm house at the outset , there were traditional houses too…On both side of the road are either occupied by coffee plantation or traditional homes… I felt like going through my native except for the coffee plantations..

Driver told us that the river Cauvery and the climate has made the land very fertile for all these plantations and flora to flourish…When our vehicle had to pave its way to the approaching vehicle both drivers had to work to avoid any kind of clash…

Dubare elephant camp has been a taming center for elephant from the days of Maharaja of Mysore..This elephant camp now also functions as an information hub... To reach the camp we had to cross the river in a raft.. Rafting is another top attraction especially during monsoon…. Tucking in life jacket we were guided to the raft with few instructions from the raft guide and commands to be followed , I had my basics of rafting done and slowly rowed through the river, it was fun to move right under the low tree branch crouching , lying flat, rowing fast, turning slow, sitting still enjoying the beauty around etc etc…There are two options for rafting, one is of 8.5km and another 12km..The 12km is alluring during the monsoon (june to september)when the water levels are high with a strong downstream current..The best time to visit Dubare camp is at nine in the morning if you are interested to take part in the elephant camp activity.. Like Nisargadhama there are elephant safaris but costlier and shorter than Nisargadhama.. Apart from elephant camp there are options for fishing and for short trekking ..River Kanake and Sujyoti merges here with river Kavery making it great for fishing, there is a back water (forgot the name)near by which is also known for its fish resources only thing one has to obtain a permit from Coorg wildlife society , Madikeri..But fishing is not realy my kind of thing, waiting patiently with rod,reel, angler at the mercy of fish, I still wonder how come I had so much fun in school during monsoon getting away from the prying eyes of teacher sneaking away with friends...Experiencing elephant  at arms distance was exciting...To get the most out of the experience morning nine is the prime time when the elephants are taken for a bath, tourists are allowed to get involved in scrubbing, oiling and every steps, do watch out for the calf 'the most entertaining' part , watching it move along the herd enjoying the water, splashing water all around, I couldn't help but smile reminded about human kids, this of course made this day great just like my last day at Kushal nagar...After bath visitors can also feed the elephants with their everyday dose of jaggery, banana etc...How cool isn't.. Ironically the elephants are so tamed they appear completely out of their natural way of life...

Nisargadhama, Coorg, Karnataka

Nisargadhama Nature Park is 3 km from Kushal Nagar. If I had a chance to meet the brain behind this park I would certainly go after that person for an autograph for such a brilliant idea….Its an island formed by the Cauvery River. A nature park and I would say a unique sanctuary…Entry fee Rs 10 for adult....To enter the park one has to cross river through a hanging bridge , there is a new stronger version  build, since it was under maintenance I was forced to use the old shaky one somehow i felt at ease over it . As I crossed I could see paddle boats fleeted  all set for a ride…

Bamboo forms the major part of the park though I could see few teak here and there. All plants and trees are named with their common and scientific names for the benefit of the visitors and there are sign boards every where leading to River, Deer park, Ayurvedic spa, Elephant ride, cafeteria ,public toilets and shops which sold honey and handicrafts (don’t even think of buying them for they are atrociously costly)   … 
There are cottages available for tourists for stay...There are tree houses swings and bamboo shelter all over to sit relax and enjoy the nature ..I could spot deer and rabbit though not other animals listed in the notice…Though the sun was scorching the walk was enjoyable...


There were stone pavement to walk around…When I couldn't spot animals sitting on one of the tree houses everything seemed artificial….Elephant safari is  the highlight of the park they charge a nominal Rs25 per person,which lasts for 10 minutes around …
Deer in the park seemed quite used to the visitors..There is a shop adjacent to the deer park selling tender cucumber,roasted groundnut..I saw many of them buying tender cucumber to feed the deer..You can feed the Elephant too. The place is extremely well maintained.

 I  stepped into the shallow river..It was so cool looking around on the bank of Cauvery every looks picturesque….I think weekend might get crowded.. Every thing right from the hanging garden made the place such a pleasant treat…My next destination - Dubare Elephant camp…