Oct 06, 2015 01:18 PM
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(Updated Oct 06, 2015 01:29 PM)
Sand and Stars During our recent stay in Kozhikode, our host and his little family of beautiful wife and lively four year old daughter took us to the beach. It was past 7 but the esplanade was alive with people: families, groups of friends… We went down to the sands and sauntered around for a bit before settling down on the clean sands to watch the sea at night, under the stars.
Snacks on the Seashore Before our stroll we stopped at a hawker cart and had some very exotic snacks. Many different fruits and salad vegetables are bottled in brine or vinegar. One can choose any of them and munch the highly salted snack as a whole. Alternatively, one can select from among them and these are then chopped and served with shaved ice and various spice powders. This was very new to me! Alas, it is only now that I read that I could have had kallumekaya(mussels) or chattipathiri, etc. at the stalls on the promenade.
Waves of Peace We were almost the only ones sitting there on the sands, except for one young man lying nearby whom I presume was dead drunk. So it was very peaceful and companionable as we chatted, told anecdotes and jokes and played with the sand, making all kinds of shapes. When it was almost time to leave, we went to the waves and let them wash gently over our legs.
Family Evenings Our host told us that he often comes here after dinner with his family and I can imagine that it would be so relaxing and a real blessing to unwind in this natural setting after a hard day’s work. It would be ideal to bond as family also.
Dine by the Sea There seem to be many nice restaurants to visit after your time on the sea shore. Since this beach may not be convenient for a daytime visit, it would be ideal to combine time on the beach with a breakfast or dinner. Conveniently placed are the famous Dhe Puttu and many others, ranging from very high budget to unbelievably low cost. We went to the well reputed Hotel Paragon.
Not for a Swim Apparently this is not a beach where you can enjoy a swim which is just as well as the locals do not seem to be the sort to feel comfortable at the sight of a person in a swimsuit. The 3 km stretch of promenade parallel to beach is the main attraction, a real hangout paradise. Sunrise and sunset is the best time.
Added Attractions In the morning one could have a walk along Dolphin’s Point and hopefully see some dolphins. There is an old lighthouse and two crumbling piers running into the sea, which are more than a hundred years old and they would have been charming to behold. For children there is the Lions Park and the marine water aquarium.
