Mandarmoni - Masti Unlimited

Mandarmoni

A fun filled weekend at Mandarmoni

Hello there... i am back to trips...
and this time my little princesses(Anisha) coming along with us for the first time....
Being of just 4 months of age.... we were in full of ifs and buts for the trip.

We didn't want to go far from kolkata this time and also didn't want to travel much... so after looking to all the options... it was decided to go for the beaches.... but which one.. We have been to most of them couple of times...
So here comes friends to the rescue...Biplab, Bibhas & Arun and we decided... lets go to MANDARMONI, as it is still a virgin beach compared to others and needs less journey.
It was finalised to be a 2 day trip on the weekend as 4 of us getting a leave is a impossible.

The date was finalised to be 21st March & 22nd March.
Being a baby along we didn't want to take any chances so we did Advanced bookings for the train & hotel.

As the day of the trip got nearer due to some unavoidable reasons Bibhas could not accompany us.. also Arun was a bit dicey regarding the trip... but confirmed to be coming on last day.

The day before Arun decided to stay at my place so that we can leave together the next morning.

Day1: 21 March 2015 Saturday


We started our journey at 5:30 AM from room, took a taxi to the Howrah station to catch a train at 6:40 AM.

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We started our journey at 5:30 AM from room, took a taxi to the Howrah station to catch a train at 6:40 AM.

The nearest train station is at Contai from Mandarmoni so we got down at contai around 9:40 AM. The heat was too much now.... i was little worried for my little one as i was not use to take her in such a warm conditions but i knew that once we were near the beach the heat will cool down... we thought of taking a bus to chaulkhola but due to the heat and baby we preferred taxi up to the hotel. 

We took a taxi to the Mainak hotel, this time it was observed that the road condition was good due to some recent road constructed also the road has been widened to increase the tourist flow from chowrasta to the Mandarmoni. However work is till going on towards the end...

Our hotel Mainak was about a kilometer more from Mandarmani beach start and due to high tide we have to take the narrow road to the hotel. Due to some misunderstanding we had a fight with the taxi driver related to the taxi fare (Rs 600) which was latter found to be true.

When we reached the hotel it was around Noon and the room check in time was @ 11:30 PM, we took a temporary room and ordered lunch to be prepared until the room is being cleaned, without stopping any further we jumped into the water. yaah yaah due to my baby, me and my wife could not jump together in to the sea and went in turns, we jumped crawled in the sea till we were cooled enough after the heated discussion with the taxi driver.

By the time we were back, room was already alloted, so we freshened up we saw the beach full of Red crabs, Small crabs, Big crabs, we couldn't resist ourself and started playing with the crabs, back to kid days .. trying to catch one of them, but they sense each vibration in the earth..may be in future a Earthquake sensing device... you never know.

we had a late lunch around 3.30 PM. and went for a quick nap. we took rest for an hour and then were back to the beaches as we were having only a day to enjoy. 

And this time we took our princess along to the beach as it was colder now... but were not able to stay longer at the beach as the wind was blowing heavily and we were not enough geared up for the wind. So my better half was not able to stay outside for longer time.

On the way we saw designs made by the crabs.... one should really understand how much hard work and time was used to prepare such shapes but in one wave everything gets cleared.

We walked till the Rose valley resort to see the radha-krishna temple and came back to room. 

We had some chit chat and a nice dinner, we went for sleep.

Day2: 22 March 2015 Sunday

The next day we woke up early to sea the sun rise and collect some sea shells

Once my Little princess was awake took her to the sea to enjoy.. and yes we too enjoyed a lot.

We left mandarmoni at around 4 PM to Digha via taxi (Rs 650) to catch a train. we reached Digha by 5:00 PM, still having some time in hands we went to Digha beach and ladies went for some shopping.

We were back to station to catch the train by 6:00 PM.

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Reached Howrah at 10:00 PM, took a taxi and reached home at around 11:00 PM..

So a fun filled weekend got over... wish can go to beaches each month.

Relaxed weekend in Mandarmani

Relaxed weekend in Mandarmani - Photo log

After a Masti tour of New Digha, its time for a relaxed tour with my better half. 

Its been long time we were planning a trip, After coming from Sunderban Trip i have been planning various locations from Delhi.... Sikkim... to Bangalore, but wife being a bit down in health it was decided that we will have some nearby relaxed trip.

Till the last day we were confused between Mandarmani or Digha, so it was decided that we will take final decision only after reaching Digha. 

We started our journey at 4:30 AM, we took a bus from Chandrakona Town at 5:00 AM to reach Mecheda at 7:30 AM. 

The nearest train station is at Contai and the nearest airport is at Kolkata. Previously,there was no proper road for the last 6 km into Mandarmani, which forced you to drive along the beach. 

However, recently a narrow but all-weather road has been constructed, which takes you directly to the hotels and resorts, provided you travel in a car or jeep. 

You can still drive along the beach; remember,however, beach driving has a seriously adverse affect on the local ecology, not to mention the atmosphere of the beaches. While driving on the beaches, stick to the side far from the sea or keep to the established track or you may risk getting caught in mud or sand.

You'll most likely be walking between your resort and the beach, however if you need to travel longer distances, avoid the temptation to drive on the beach more than necessary.
Be careful while driving on the beach and try to stick to the central part of the beach while driving. Towards the end of the beach, the sands are soft in places and your car may get stuck in it. Avoid driving on the beach after dark as if you get stuck in the sand dunes, you may not be able to get any local help to pull your vehicle out.

Small Crab

The Delta – At the end of the beach, there is the 'mohana' or river delta (place where a river meets the sea). There are some fishing settlements nearby.
This place is about 5-6 km from the main part of the beach where most of the hotels/resorts are located and is really beautiful with a scenic backdrop. On one side of the river there are dense jhau trees, while on the other side is the fishing village. A bit further from the village on the other bank of the river is some dense vegetation. It is not realistic to attempt to cross over to the other side and go into this forest as it is actually quite distant, despite appearing to be quite close.
You can watch the fishermen standing or wading through knee deep water laying their nets or catching fish and crabs.
Red crabs are visible over a large stretch of the beach near the Mohana.
However, try to avoid this place after dark as it becomes very isolated and you will not find any people, l

Starfish

Jellyfish 

Jellyfish 

Living Shell

Shankar Fish

On the beach, there is no electricity and after dark the only sources of light are the lights of the small beach-side shops which get their electricity from generators or batteries. As the evening progresses, the high tide causes the sea to rise. By 7-8 PM the sea takes up almost a quarter of the total width of the beach. So, if you had visited the beach during daytime, be careful as the sea will definitely be nearer in the evening. Better to have a torch with you at all times after dark.

Full Moon