Day 2 (1st February, 2009) : Udupi – St. Mary’s Island – Kollur – Marwanthe – Murdeshwara Odometer Reading : 567KMS – 655KMS
Wake up late only by 9:00AM. Go down to the parking lot and clean the car. Just the seats, mats and windscreen. Get back to the room, wake up my wife and get ready. Have breakfast in the room. South Indian breakfast at Udupi is good. Once done with breakfast we leave the hotel by 11:00AM. The weather is hot and humid. Go towards Maple harbor to take the ferry towards St. Mary’s Island.
As you approach the harbor the air is heavy with smell of fish. My wife is slightly uncomfortable being a veggie. Find a place under a shady tree to park the car and head towards the ticket counter. The place is already crowded. Buy the Rs.70 per head tickets for the boat ride and back. Wait for the boat looking at the huge fishing trawlers that are being built at this harbor. The boat shows up in another 20 minutes and people just rush in. The boat comfortably holds up to 50 – 60 people. The boat ride to the islands takes about 30 minutes and that includes changing to another smaller boat in mid sea.
Malpe Harbour
Fishing Boats at Malpe Harbour
Huge trawlers being built at the harbour
On the way towards St. Mary's Island
St. Mary's Island in the background
The smaller boat approaching for the mid sea transfer
At St. Mary’s island, one can find a unique formation of volcanic rocks which are vertical hexagonal rocks. The whole island is a big collection of these rocks in different sizes. Once the boats drop you at the island you will be given an hour’s time to roam around, will be picked up in smaller boats and transferred to a big boat which takes you back to the harbor. Spend some time on the islands looking at the clean blue water and white sands. The rocks look amazing. At the other end of the island the entire beach is filled with broken sea shells of different sizes. I was actually standing on a huge heap of shells on the beach. There is a makeshift shop on the island that sells fish fry, mineral water, ice creams and cool drinks. As we were running beyond schedule, we decide to take a boat that was leaving half and hour early with the previous batch of tourists. Back to the harbor in 30 minutes and get back to the hotel by 1:45PM. Rest for sometime in the AC confines of the hotel room, freshen up and leave towards Sri Krishna Temple very close to the hotel.
View from the Island
View of the beach
View of the Island
Beach filled with broken sea shells
Volcanic Rocks at St.Mary's Island
The entire beach covered by this
The temple area resembles a living ashram, a holy place for daily devotion and living. Surrounding the Krishna temple are several temples, the most ancient being made of basic wood and stone of 1,500 years origin. The insides of the temple has air conditioned which has been done cleverly which does not disturb the temple ambiance and architecture. Finish darshan of Lord Krishna and head towards the dining room for lunch. The lunch at Udupi temple consists of rice, 2 types of mouth watering sambar and buttermilk. Lunch done in 15 minutes and after spending some more time at the temple, head back to the hotel and check out by 3:30PM.
Arch at the entrance of Udupi town on NH 17
Sri Krishna Temple
Inside of the Temple complex
On the way exiting Udupi stop at Diana’s Ice cream parlor for the famous Gadbad Ice cream. I always make it a point never to miss Gadbad Ice cream at Diana’s when at Udupi. Gadbad ice cream is basically a hodgepodge of fruit, nuts, ice cream and jelly served in a tall glass. The ice cream they say first originated here at Diana’s in Udupi. Once done with the ice cream we join the NH 17 and head north. We will be traveling this Highway for the next 4-5 days all the way till north Goa.
The yummy Gadbad Ice Cream at Diana's Ice Cream Parlour
The NH 17 is in good condition after Udupi and you will encounter very few broken patches. Cross numerous bridges along the stretch towards Kundapura. Next destination is to visit the famous Kollur Mookambika Temple. Just before Kundapura the NH 17 curves right whereas the straight road takes you to Kundapura town. After this you get the first deviation towards Kollur before a bridge. Try avoiding this route to Kollur at its confusing. Travel further ahead and you get the second right towards Kollur about 6KMS before Marwanthe on NH 17. No confusions on this route and the road is in very good condition. Take the right towards Kollur at around 5:00PM and 32km to go. I really want to get back fast on the NH 17 after visiting the temple for wanting to see the sunset at Marwanthe. The 2 lane road towards Kollur is just too good with lots of curves and little traffic. I enjoy the drive pushing the car on these curves and am flying through the forests before the temple. In 30 minutes reach the temple. The Mookambika temple at Kollur is known for the Panchaloha image of the Goddess Mookambika. You have the towering Kodachadri Hills as the backdrop of this temple. Finish darshan and spend some time at the temple and leave by 6:00PM. Race against time I take the road back to the Highway and miss a turn and end up at the first turn towards Kollur on NH 17 near Kundapura.
Flying towards Kollur
Entrance Arch at Kollur
Kollur Mookambika Temple
Gold plated Dhwaja and Deepa Stambha at Kollur Mookambika Temple
Kodachadri Hills in the background viewed from the temple
I make my way towards Marwanthe beach to see that the sun has already set. What a disappointment. I guess I was late by 10 minutes. Nevertheless stop and stare at the crimson sky which leaves you spellbound. At Marwanthe beach the NH 17 cruises along the Arabian Sea on one side and the Sauparnika River on the other side against a mountainous background of the Kodachadri Hills. Spend some time sitting on the rocks looking at the ocean till its dark. And leave towards Murdeshwara.
NH 17 at Marwanthe
Marwanthe Beach
Missed the sunset at Marwanthe
Marwanthe
Swift D at Marwanthe
Enter Murdeshwara town by 8:00PM and huge towering Shiva statue greets you. Go to RNS Residency and find that all the AC rooms are occupied. Only Non AC rooms available and the prices are exorbitant.
Shiva Statue at night
I decide to book a room at RNS Guest House right next to the Shiva statue. Rs.1000 for a Non AC double bed room. The sea facing rooms are clean and spacious. Rest for sometime at the room and go into the town for dinner. Most restaurants at this town shut down by 10:30PM. Find Nisarga Residency which has a garden bar and restaurant. Have a nice dinner and the fish fry here is good and fresh. Get back to the hotel and sit outside looking at the huge Shiva statue gleaming in the lights. Watch TV and off to sleep by midnight.
Continued...