Udupi and the Malpe Beach

Udupi

Udupi is a temple-town, famous to the Krishna Temple and Ashta Mathas. It was almost afternoon when we reached Udupi. We stopped near the Krishna Temple, and all one could think of was to have a small lunch, and then jump into a ferry towards St. Mary's Island. The temple was filled with people, and we were hardly interested in another temple-lunch. Rather, we followed a board named 'Woodlands Restaurant', and continued to do so for a long long time only to face a closed door with another board - 'Woodlands Restaurant closed on account of Deepavali'. Tempers had begun to soar. The sun showed no pity. It was a slow walk back to our vehicle, and finally, we found something to eat at Amanthrana Restaurant. Well, that was what we had believed. The servers took almost 30 minutes to serve a plate meal, and therefore had to face the wrath of the already angry Satish, Prakasha and ATK. After finishing a non-satisfying lunch, all hoped that a visit to the islands would improve our moods. But it was not to be. It was a Monday. On a Monday, there are no boats to take you to St. Mary's Islands as it is a Govt. holiday, and we were an unlucky lot not to find even private boats anywhere. The smell of the fishes already had begun to creep in. This was not a day to remember, and both Bharath and Suhas were saddened to see their plans being blemished by a day of sheer bad luck. The beach was the only place to be.


Malpe Beach

The waters would indeed cool us off, and that was where we headed. Malpe beach is commonly known for its nauseating fish smell. But the seashores near Odabhaandiishvara Temple are perhaps the best place to enjoy. Less currents, and a very flat ocean floor makes it the most sought after beach in Coastal Karnataka. It was a hot 3pm when we reached the sea shore, and found already a whole lot of people infesting the place. But the sea is a huge thing, and it can accommodate a whole lot of people, so we had no problems in finding our place to play throw-ball, Frisbee, and splash water around. The 'fun' began to take a proper shape now. Slowly, everyone began stepping into the sea.The floor was so flat that Bharath, Suhas, Sumanth, Prashanth and ATK braved to go deeper. Prashanth showed special swimming skills that made the rest of them hold their stomachs and laugh out. Shivashankar's skills in throwing and catching the Frisbee were a great source of comedy as well. Bharath and Suhas soon pulled in Madhuri and Neha, who earlier were reluctant to get into deeper waters, and they soon realized what they were missing out on. The ladies, not wanting to be left behind, courageously entered the sea. Sumitra held ATK's hand and enjoyed the waves hitting against her legs. The beach was indeed an anti-depressing agent. All the anger, the frustration and exhaustion of the afternoon was replaced by a lot of positive energy and new vigor. We had to be literally pulled out of the water, as it was dusk. Suhas took a few quick snaps of the setting sun, and they came out beautifully. All were salty, sticky, wet and tired, yet there was a smile on everyone's face - that was the important thing.