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Old 1st October 2019, 08:35   #1
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Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

2021 January Visit Updates

The Fascination
It was June of this year and after our last trip to Bishnupur (A trip to Bishnupur : Revisiting the history of the epicentre of Mallabhum) we planned to visit beaches this time. But every time we have been to beaches it was as if being stationed at the same place. We Bengalis do enjoy beaches a lot for the promises of delicacies it brings along (read "fishes" / "seafood"). But this time we thought of adding some more punch and instead of visiting a beach why not tour along all the nearby beaches. Since our bosses do not like us taking offs a lot so all we had was a Friday (ignoring all the frowned eyebrows at office) and the following Saturday and Sunday. Here is how we planned the itinerary. Most would not even mention visiting these weekend destinations as they are very common.

Day 1 - Drive from Kolkata to Talsari Beach, Odisha and stay the night there
Day 2 - Drive to Udaipur Beach, spend some time and then set course for Digha Beach, make the night there
Day 3 - Touch the beaches of Shankarpur, Chandpur, Tajpur and Mandarmoni and return to Kolkata

We never took my wife's Hyundai i10 to any long tour ever since the last 5 years of its purchase and the farthest we ever went was on a day trip from Kolkata to Kharagpur on a colleague's wedding. Thought it would be the ideal ride considering my aged Hyundai Getz is best kept in the city limits.

I did make sure that I get Fastag for the car, out of all the options the SBI Fastag seemed to be the fastest and easiest one to get and activated as I called up multiple agents listed in the PAN India agent database on their website and eventually found one close to my home who was willing to get the activation done on the same day.

Thus all was set for the journey and a dreamy idea of making this trip happen.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190623_185140.jpg

Last edited by Aditya : 3rd March 2021 at 07:35. Reason: As requested
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Old 1st October 2019, 09:01   #2
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Day 1 - Kolkata to Talsari
We started around 630 am in the morning and picked up our friend from Kudghat and resumed on our course towards our usual highway breakfast halt. The roads were empty and soon we went past Vidyasagar Setu

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_072633.jpg

By 9 am we reached Express Food Plaza at Kolaghat and had our breakfast, to enough fuel for the body to last till afternoon.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0016.jpg

When we started again towards Talsari around 9-50 am and on Google map we were shown two route options, one is via Nandkumar and another by Debra Toll Plaza / Rampura Toll Plaza. And in the later option although distance was 30 KM more yet the time taken was shown less. This is because the road near Nandkumar was undergoing repair at that time and its the usual route for Digha / Mandarmani / Tajpur, etc. So we took the 2nd option needless to say. I missed the turn to go over to the other side of the lane after getting out from Express Plaza and so had to digress 2 Km to get to the next turn.

We crossed the Debra Toll Plaza around 10-50 am and followed along the Kharagpur - Balasore Expressway which we realized to be a very beautiful road up until the Lakshannath Toll Plaza where we enter Odisha with both sides packed in lush green fields and a flat road with almost no other ahead or behind you for the most of it. From here we did see several marked detour exits marked with names of places like Digha, probably would explore sometime in future.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0061.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0020.jpg

While the newly fitted SBI fastag worked well in all the Fastag marked tolls but at the Lakshannath Toll Plaza it did not, the surprise started with folks at the toll booths sleeping. We woke them up and they said Fastag would not work, paid in cash and entered Odisha. Roads were still good but we knew it was town roads with people walking and occasional Auto rickshaws and private vehicles.

We finally reached our hotel the OTDC Panthaniwas at Talsari by 1-10 pm and unloaded our luggage waiting for the room allotment.

The area was big with well maintained garden around.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_130915.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_130918.jpg

Parked our car in the designated parking area inside the premises, met a few more folks from who had driven from Kolkata
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190623_185140resize.jpg

We came to our rooms and there were more surprises waiting. Air condition was essential considering it was June and hot and sunny outside but out of the 2 rooms Ac was not working at all in one of them and the other room ad AC running intermittently. After much protest a second room was received but it was just marginally better than the previous one.

We finished our lunch by 2-45 pm, relaxed for a while and by 430pm headed down for the beach for which there is a direct exit gate from the Hotel.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_165531.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_165539.jpg

We strolled on the beach for some time before heading for the River Bed which have to be crossed to reach the main Beach

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672074223.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672240152.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672376907.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0027.jpg

We initially thought of crossing the river bed with shallow water levels barefoot but in the evening the levels were steadily rising and we decided to drop the idea and take the boat ride. The funny part is the per head 50 rupees up down fare have to be paid in advance and after dropping you to the other side the boat will not wait but come back. Some other boat will pick us up. This arrangement works because most of the boats belong to the same owner and its hence inherent understanding. We did not find much alternative so gave it a go. For the record we also found bike riders in the river bed also on ply doing transportation but with increasing water levels it was resorted to boats only, they complement each other.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0008.jpg

We approached the beach but it was past 5pm and slowly getting dimmer, the boat ride was not that bad either, packed with people

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_172631.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0006.jpg

The beach was not that crowded with few groups of people only strolling who had arrived in similar fashion as us. White sand is something I saw for the first time.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0032.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_173052.jpg

We did find a few photographers half into the water shooting at some perspectives angles no offenses meant.

We did search for Red crabs but no one showed up, we did collect some good looking shells
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0033.jpg

He had his happy moments too
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0053.jpg

It was past 530 pm and we heard that the boats are calling us to get back. We hurried back and they only asked once if we had come by our own or on their service and on confirmation they allowed us to board, no questions asked.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0026.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0042.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190614_173025.jpg

We returned to the place where we started the boat ride from, it was crowded with people.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190614wa0040.jpg

The last few minutes in the outside, we enjoyed the sunset before returning to the hotel
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0023.jpg

We sat in the garden inside for some time and ordered pakoras. A little later we came back to our rooms and planned perform our usual movie show. But the biggest challenge was frequent power cuts every 10 mins and generator switching, AC turning off cooling and working in blower mode only. A complete messy affair.

However after we completed our dinner by 10 pm, the power cuts stabilized and the AC too, so much so we started feeling cold. Nevertheless enough for spending our nights.

Last edited by haisaikat : 24th November 2019 at 00:30.
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Old 1st October 2019, 09:17   #3
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Day 2 - Talsari to Udaipur to Digha
Next morning we checked out from the Hotel after completing the breakfast by 9 am.

Our next destination was Udaipur beach and we took guidance from the locals and took the narrow shortcut road that goes through inside the villages directly to Udaipur beach.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0014.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0025.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0026.jpg

An observation, Talsari is in Odisha but Udaipur is in West Bengal. When we entered the narrow road from Talsari we kept seeing several scooty parked inside the village with OD number plates and more we approached Udaipur the number plates started becoming WB plates.

Within 15 minutes we arrived at Udaipur beach. It was also crowded and we parked our car in the dedicated beach parking area and headed towards the beach.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190615_095618.jpg

The beach is full of smaller stalls and with the tidewater yet to recede back some of them were standing right into the water and selling. But the items of variety are sure to bring a smile on the face of any Bengali

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0028.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0088.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0082.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0035.jpg

We had some really good time on the beach tasting the delicacies with our feet still in the water. Observed that liquor (Beer) is readily available on request right at the table served chilled and its quite open.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672224729.jpg

The water was slowly receding and the locals started planting their shacks ahead into the beach
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0027.jpg

The fun was not over, yet. We had missed the Red crabs yesterday so hired two scooty riders and headed for the red crab beach towards Talsari. Do not laugh, scooty's were real sturdy and I am now convinced how effective they are in carrying the weight of India . Also surprisingly the scooters did great on semi-wet beach sand which remains underwater during high tides.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0004.jpg

We could only see some small crabs rushing to their holes feeling the advent of the scootys. But still no sign of Red crabs
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0032.jpg

But our expert riders did not disappoint us, they parked the scooty and actually brought out two Red cuties out from their holes. Local advantage.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672365759.jpg

The riders let them down soon on the beach and cuties rushed back to their homes (holes) away from us.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0007.jpg

We spent some more time at the Red crab beach, the cloudy weather worked perfectly in our favour before returning to the parking.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0011.jpg

We bid adieu to Udaipur and headed for Digha by 11 am. The road was average with several areas requiring patching but within an hour we entered through the Digha gates
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672214536.jpg

We checked in to our hotel at Digha, The Dolphin by 12-3 pm after crossing the ever-crowded roads of Digha and being Saturday the weekend rush had already started. We had taken a cottage with 2 rooms and a small hall just overlooking their nicely maintained lawn and the car parked just 20 steps away from our cottage.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0029.jpg

Completed our lunch, the menu made us realize why Digha is still the most frequented beach destination in entire Bengal even if there are many other beaches around, it is abundant availability and affordability both combined.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0040.jpg

We took a power reset for short interval and by 4pm we headed for sight seeing, something we did not do in our earlier visits. We skipped the idea of visiting the Marine Aquarium this time and instead headed towards the Jahaz Bari where the 7D movie shows take place. The place does have a lawn to seat in and in the afternoon finding a parking place just in front of the gate was not much of a hassle.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0054.jpg

The show was great although not everyone took it in the right spirit, there were two movies of 7 minutes each and in 15 minutes we came out.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190615_161633.jpg

Our next stop was Amarabati Lake, it was also huge in spread so even with lots of visitors the experience did not mess up. We enjoyed the cable car ride but ditched the boat ride. Once again, parking, was although not in front of the gate but at a short distance from the entrance, was not that difficult to find.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0036.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0081.jpg

We came back to the hotel by 530 pm and at 6 pm left our car and started on foot towards the beach. We soon realized that what it seemed to be a 1 lakh gathering on the beach and marine road even after 6 pm in the evening there is nothing much we can achieve except some Cashew shopping and souvenirs from the market. But yes, we still managed to find a place to sit for some time.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0006.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0025.jpg

We returned to the hotel by 7 pm and thereafter completed our dinner with our movie shows and shut our eyes by 11 pm. We had our last stretch of the journey ahead tomorrow.

Last edited by CrAzY dRiVeR : 24th November 2019 at 10:35. Reason: Typo
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Old 4th November 2019, 01:26   #4
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Day 3 - Digha to Sankarpur to Chandpur to Tajpur to Mandarmani to Kolkata

We made it a late rising and lethargic morning affair on the final day of return. So completed our breakfast in our rooms while he warmed up in the lawn.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672227376.jpg

Checked out by 10-40 am heading towards our first destination of the day, Sankarpur beach.

We got some light drizzle on our way but soon after the weather turned sunny.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0017.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0021.jpg

Shankarpur was not that far and a little before 11-30 am we reached the beach parking area of Shankarpur. It was super hot and sunny and seemed a little deserted with limited people out in the sun
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_112458.jpg

It was after 11 years that I have visited Shankarpur and found remarkable improvement of infrastructure starting from well made dedicated seating areas on a fully paved beach road to numerous hotels.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_112952.jpg

Some enthusiastic tourists were still out in the sea
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672305766.jpg

To the right of the marine road facing Digha it was a nice combination of rocky and sandy beach
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_113354.jpg

We did not feel much encouraged to stand without the umbrella though
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672252200.jpg

A short clip of the area


After spending around 20 minutes at Shankarpur we headed for our next stop Chandpur & Tajpur. We took the marine drive road that goes from Shankarpur to Tajpur along the beach and it was a nice drive although some parts were still broken and due for repair
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672204902.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0008.jpg

At Chandpur almost closer to Tajpur it was not worth a stop with a small beach access and only 1-2 proper hotels, it was also deserted
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0045.jpg

There is our ride in the Marine Drive road
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0002.jpg

Finally we reached Tajpur and parked near the beach and headed for one of the beach shacks
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20190617wa0058.jpg

An attempt to make him smile
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img20191103wa0031.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672207706.jpg

This seemed a seafood paradise and we did not disappoint our appetite. Prices were lot higher than Udaipur but like Udaipur they also serve Beers but in plastic jugs / not as openly as Udaipur.
Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_131245.jpg

By 1-15 pm we left Tajpur and headed towards Mandarmani as it was getting late for lunch.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_131827.jpg

We entered Mandarmani around 1-50 pm and after checking at a few hotels we entered Candlewood Suites by 2pm. Food was nice although they were understaffed at the restaurant so lacked attention towards outside guests, but nevertheless our expectation was not high.

After lunch we headed towards their beach side exit and it was very windy there.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-fb_img_1572672210357.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_151428.jpg

There was a steady sand current on the beach


We enjoyed out in the wind for some time and then by 340 pm we started our return to Kolkata.

Rest of the journey was uneventful except that near Nandkumar due to road repair there were diversions which made us go through the narrow town roads.

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_170313.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20190616_173613.jpg

I also noticed a yellow WB plate Mitsubishi Pajero with LTD sticker cruising past us ignoring all the bad in the road. Must be some Kolkata BHPian.

Besides a refueling, we made one last stop at Kolkata Express Food Plaza for an hour for some evening snacks and resumed journey to Kolkata by 7-15 pm and finally reached home by 940 pm.

We were super tired and crashed soon thereby putting an end to a fun filled but short beach vacation.

Last edited by haisaikat : 24th November 2019 at 00:22.
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Old 24th November 2019, 00:07   #5
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Some closing notes
  1. I acquired the SBI Fastag just 1 day prior to the travel as they were fastest in issuing and activating it, got it from one of the agents listed in the SBI website PAN India Agent list.
  2. Fastag worked like a charm, except once I ran out of the balance and before entering the toll plaza I recharged it. It did not work, one needs to wait for the confirmation SMS for recharge to arrive before making a toll transaction and this takes upto 15 - 20 minutes at times.
  3. The i10 we have is a 1.1 Litre IRDE2 version and proved to be much worthy of such kind of trips very easily. It can maintain average speed of 80-90 km / hr very easily and the engine is never stressed out at this rate with 3-4 people on board and some luggage. You may have to ignore the tyre noise past 70 km/hr. It may not be a all day cruiser but it can cruise with interim breaks all day.
  4. The i10 return an average FE of 16 km / litre during this trip where we covered a total distance of around 500 KM in 3 days
  5. Out if all the places we visited in this trip, the food seemed cheapest and quality at Udaipur beach shops.
  6. Enquire about power status at Talsari / Panthaniwas before booking a place there, especially in the summer heat and humidity. Considering the high premium cost on fish at this hotel and not having a proximity beach I would say Talsari may not be worth eventually for a night stay, may be a day tour.
  7. If you intend to cross the river bed at Talsari and go to the beach and come back all on foot then keep a tab on the tide timings, it is very easy if water level is low. Be careful though if you have kids along. For us, if we could have completed this by 3-4 pm it would have been all on foot, but unfortunately due to journey timings we could not start prior to 4-30 pm
  8. After heavy breakfast at Kolaghat, an hour later I felt very sleepy while driving. Need to be more disciplined in food intake while driving.

Last edited by haisaikat : 24th November 2019 at 10:43.
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Old 24th November 2019, 12:22   #6
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 24th November 2019, 14:05   #7
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Wonderful travelogue! We're actually planning a short road trip in early January when my sister visits us, and we will definitely explore the idea of following your route map. We love visiting beaches in winter, since that's the only time they are a little less crowded than usual, and hotel rates are cheaper too. Was actually planning to go to Digha/Mandarmoni yesterday but decided against it at the last moment. Last time I visited was last December, so sharing some photos from then:

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20181101_130246.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-dsc_0015.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-dsc_0003.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20181102_162304_hdr.jpg

Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2-img_20181102_162312_hdr.jpg

Quote:
Originally Posted by haisaikat View Post
I also noticed a yellow WB plate Mitsubishi Pajero with LTD sticker cruising past us ignoring all the bad in the road. Must be some Kolkata BHPian.
The way you describe it, it's most probably BHPian dip27in

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Originally Posted by haisaikat View Post
Some closing notes[*]After heavy breakfast at Kolaghat, an hour later I felt very sleepy while driving. Need to be more disciplined in food intake while driving.[/list]
Hahaha, your love for food emanates through every post of yours

Last edited by boniver : 24th November 2019 at 14:08.
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Old 29th November 2019, 16:29   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boniver View Post
Wonderful travelogue! We're actually planning a short road trip in early January when my sister visits us, and we will definitely explore the idea of following your route map. We love visiting beaches in winter, since that's the only time they are a little less crowded than usual, and hotel rates are cheaper too. Was actually planning to go to Digha/Mandarmoni yesterday but decided against it at the last moment. Last time I visited was last December, so sharing some photos from then
Those are some stunning pics indeed? Is it only mobile photography? I would recommend that you book hotels in advance unless you want to spend more than 5000 per room in places like Mandarmani, its crowded on every weekend as it seems. If sea view from room is not a must try our Tajpur Retreat or even Digha has lot of options apart from being cost effective. We had a booking for Bakkhali in December but due to the Bulbul cyclone damages they cancelled it, we are still searching an alternative place to make up.

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Hahaha, your love for food emanates through every post of yours
Right you are but the fun is in enjoying the food with a like minded group.
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Old 30th November 2019, 08:55   #9
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by haisaikat View Post
Those are some stunning pics indeed? Is it only mobile photography?
Thank you! The second and third photos have been taken with my camera, the rest are with the phone

Quote:
I would recommend that you book hotels in advance unless you want to spend more than 5000 per room in places like Mandarmani, its crowded on every weekend as it seems. If sea view from room is not a must try our Tajpur Retreat or even Digha has lot of options apart from being cost effective.
Yes, agree about the exorbitant room rates in Mandarmani. That's the reason we never stay there overnight, always stay in Digha and drive down to Mandarmani during the day. Last time we stayed in Mandarmani (Hotel Sonar Bangla) was in November 2009, and even then we paid close to 3000/night IIRC.
Thank you for your suggestions, will check them out!
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Old 30th November 2019, 09:07   #10
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

Thanks for sharing your beach travelogue with us. Which sea beach would you recommend for good views? What is with old Digha and new Digha [if you or any one else can comment upon]?

Quote:
Originally Posted by haisaikat View Post
Out if all the places we visited in this trip, the food seemed cheapest and quality at Udaipur beach shops.
Didn't get this part, food was cheap, what about quality, bad? That part was not specified.
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Old 30th November 2019, 13:18   #11
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

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Originally Posted by Sheel View Post
Which sea beach would you recommend for good views?
This is subjective but I think I can make an attempt.

Best sea view from rooms / balcony would be undoubtedly Mandarmani, most hotels on the beach line have direct exists to beach, but the sea is comparatively calm and far in the days but closer in the evening, you can enjoy the evening without leaving your hotel premises. Also the beach is deserted in the evening. In short there is no activity possible outside the hotel. But on the contrary it hence provides best of the hotel services and they are thus expensive. Not sure about present days but some years back they used to run on Generators but quite reliably.

Digha is otherwise the most balanced. Some hotels will offer good sea view from the room but hotels are not as closer to the beach as that in Mandamani. You can plan a lot of stuff apart from remaining confined in your hotels. The sea is a roaring one, rather wild to be precise and lots and lots of crowd, home for buying cashews. For foodies its heaven, have lots of restaurant and street food options, yet for extreme flexibility they can buy the raw materials themselves from outside market and get it cooked from outside right in front of them from specific shops who allow such services at very reasonable cost. Its a place for everyone.

However if you prefer serenity, its again Mandarmani. If you intend to get served Beer right on the beach it can be Mandarmani, Udaipur, Tajpur.

Although the all time favourite beach destination, no one can dethrone Puri, wish it was closer to my home, you get all the variations I described above, another place for everyone.

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Originally Posted by Sheel View Post
What is with old Digha and new Digha [if you or any one else can comment upon]?
New Digha is the modern extension of the actual spot of Digha, the nomenclature exist to designate which part of Digha. Old Digha is crowded with more shops and people on the roads, New Digha is a tad less in both aspects and has a sandy beach too.

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Didn't get this part, food was cheap, what about quality, bad? That part was not specified.
Quality also good, because you are buying it almost directly from the fishermen who are also owning these stalls and the fact that Udaipur Beach is a less visited place. Compare with Tajpur beach, you are buying from well formed beach shacks, the price is almost double as it is closer to Kolkata and also more frequented by families and folks touring as groups.

Last edited by haisaikat : 30th November 2019 at 13:21.
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Old 12th December 2019, 14:38   #12
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

When you said that you stayed at the beach, I thought that you literally stayed at the beach and not at a resort. I guess that was entirely on me as we camp in our car wherever we go. We car-camped at Digha, Mandarmani and Tajpur as far as beaches are concerned ... Overall, I really liked the pleasant and easy way you documented this ...
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Old 16th December 2019, 11:48   #13
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

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Originally Posted by Chhanda Das View Post
I guess that was entirely on me as we camp in our car wherever we go. We car-camped at Digha, Mandarmani and Tajpur as far as beaches are concerned
Because of the kid we usually avoid staking outdoors for long. But speaking about camping in cars, my example of camping is this (Interesting Modified Scorpio Getaway for Gul Panag) whose corresponding clip of Gul Panag's ladakh tour in Scorpio (promotional video by Mahindra) is quite exciting to watch.


Last edited by haisaikat : 16th December 2019 at 11:50.
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Old 16th December 2019, 12:20   #14
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

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Because of the kid we usually avoid staking outdoors for long. But speaking about camping in cars, my example of camping is this (Interesting Modified Scorpio Getaway for Gul Panag) whose corresponding clip of Gul Panag's ladakh tour in Scorpio (promotional video by Mahindra) is quite exciting to watch.

https://Youtu.be/HUS_ziPii24?t=1270
Thank you very much for sharing this ... I may be wrong here but I think this is more of an expedition vehicle than one for car camping. Moreover, all of these modifications require a substantial budget and even RTO approvals for some. But I feel any car can be made suitable for car-camping on a much lower budget without breaking any laws and without involving the RTO like I have done to my car ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/3320...9787402888009/
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Old 16th December 2019, 14:51   #15
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re: Beach tours from Talsari to Mandarmani. EDIT: 2021 Updates on page 2

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But I feel any car can be made suitable for car-camping on a much lower budget without breaking any laws and without involving the RTO like I have done to my car ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/3320...9787402888009/
Wow. Sometimes I wonder if its indeed you or your son using your guise to have ended up with such a plethora of after market gadgets in their cars ever. Take this as a complement madam as your love for gadget can beat many car enthusiasts which is a predominantly "self proclaimed" territory of the men. The video of Gul is an inspiration to many though, my wife keeps saying that. Do you drive or does you son does the driving mostly?
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