35. RK BEACH, VISHAKHAPATNAM (ANDHRA PRADESH), INDIA

The sea was rough and waves quite high on RK Beach

Recently, I happened to be in Vizag, the nickname for Vishakhapatnam. 
As the evening set in, the idea of sitting in the hotel room did not appeal much. So I put on my walking shoes and stepped out for a brisk walk. Coming out of the hotel, I decided to walk down rather than walk up. Isn’t the path of the least resistance always preferred? Before I realised, I was at the Beach Road and there was a sprawling beach ahead of me. Later, I got to know that this was called RK Beach or Rama Krishna Beach named after Rama Krishna Mission which is located in the same area. It is also considered the most popular beach for the people of Vizag, locals and tourists alike. 

Going ahead, I found that there was a regular beach market with the sea-shell and beach-wear type of stalls. I quickly turned my face away from them and walked straight. "Don't buy any more souvenirs. Your house is overflowing with these items," I told myself. 

I suddenly remembered from school days, "She sells sea shells on the sea shore."  I tried repeating it as we used to do it then. She sells sea shells on the sea shore.... Sea shells she sells on she shore....Oops, do it again slowly. Try speaking it at a fast pace and you are bound to make mistakes. 

People enjoying the sea shore

The sand on the beach was very soft and walking on it was a little difficult. But the area, where the roaring sea was hitting the shore, was quite rocky. Hordes of people, some single, a few couples and many groups were enjoying the sound of waves. The beach was full of hawkers selling ice-cream, cold drinks, bhutta (grilled corn-cob), American corn, fruit-chat and what not littering the place in the process. The entire place had a carnival like spirit, full of people and full of activity. Only if we could keep the place clean.

I stood there for some time and suddenly missed my camera. I really wanted to capture the roaring sea waves as the real memento from here. By this time, it had become quite dark but I could not help clicking a few snaps on my mobile phone, for whatever worth it was.

Mermaids on the Beach Road, Vishakhapatnam

Oh my God! The street lights went off and it became quite dark. People continued to sit there. It was perhaps normal for them. But I decided to return to the hotel with a resolve to come back early in the morning the next day. On way, I came across these Sea Mermaids.

Can somebody tell me which temple is this?

I also spotted a big modern architecture temple on the Beach Road. It was perhaps Kali Temple, going by the number of Bengali Shonduris (beautiful women) making a beeline for it. I am not a great one for temples and religious places. So I did not make any effort to go near the crowds which had thronged there as the evening Aarti was being performed. Ding ...dong ...ding ...dong ... the temple bell went on.  Yeah, I am sure, it must be a Kali Temple because there were many Dharamshalas with hoardings in Bangla, presumably meant for the stay of Bengali Bhadralok. 

I kept walking with a firm decision to come back to the beach the next day morning. Alas! the next day never came as the lazy-bones preferred the morning sleep over a morning walk! 
I guess it is okay to break a promise if you make it to yourself? After all, it was not a New Year resolution!

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