The Asian Age

THE BEACH TO TRANQUILIT­Y

The coconut tree-fringed Mararikula­m beach in Alappuzha makes for a perfect relaxing break

- ELIZABETH THOMAS

The intention was to unwind ourselves and beach was the unanimous choice. Everyone wanted to calm their minds walking on the seashore, watching the ebb and flow of waves. Then, the search was on for finding that one beach where the gang could spend a day fruitfully and thus we stumbled upon Mararikula­m beach in Alappuzha. The photograph­s were so alluring that the trip was fixed for the following day. Excitement filled the air as the trip to Mararikula­m beach, which is better known as Marari beach, began from Kottayam.

Google map guided us throughout the journey. Riding past the hustle and bustle of the town, the vehicle entered the Kottayam-Kumarakom road and continued the trip via SH 40. Then, we entered Muhamma Boat Jetty road and passing through the NH 66, finally, arrived at beach road. It took us one hour and 20 minutes to reach the destinatio­n. One of the beautiful things to watch on the road was the backdrop changing from the ruckus of the town to the quietude of the village.

Then came the food joint exploratio­n. There are plenty of small restaurant­s serving authentic Alappuzha cuisine on roadsides. If you are a foodie, you should visit one of them. Also, there are outlets that sell fresh fish. The narrow road leading to the beach has green shrubs on both sides. As the beach road ended, the white sand beach came to everyone’s sight. The setting was picture-perfect. In most cases, the photograph and reality may seem poles apart. But, Marari beach was different. It was clean and scenic as portrayed in and not crowded. That the photograph­s. makes it different from other beaches. One could Parking the saunter on the long stretch vehicle, everyone as long as she/he likes and kicked off their beach wait for the waves to kiss expedition. the feet. If tired, there are The coconut tree-fringed chairs available on the beach that looks like an shore to relax a bit. You untouched place is tidy just need to pay an amount for an hour. You can also take bath in the beach but it is not advisable to go deeper. Fishing boats and nets on the shore add beauty to the entire setting. If you are an artist, you will find a perfect picture to reproduce on canvas. And, there are lots of shells, both tiny and big, in various colours. Digging them out from sand is so much fun.

Dusk was nearing and it was time to return. But, the crashing of waves and cries of marine birds were reverberat­ing in ears even after reaching home.

An artist will find a perfect picture to reproduce on canvas

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