GOKARNA DIARIES: AUG'14 - Part XV

THE PARADISE BEACH TRAIL

After the failed trek to Half Moon Beach, we went to the Paradise Beach. Again, one needs to go to the Belekan Beach and then walk through a trail of about 2 km before reaching the beach. Alternatively, one can reach here either by a boat ride or by a hike from Half Moon.

The drive to Belekan was beautiful; well laid roads along the hills with regular sightings of numerous birds including Kingfishers, Jungle Barblers, Mynahs, Red-wattled Lapwing and the most beautiful - Peacocks. At one point of time, we saw as many as six of them in a forest. The auto driver was kind enough to wait for us as I tried to get some quick snaps. However, the peacocks were too quick for me and disappeared into the forests.

We got down at the Belekan beach and then started on the trail which goes around a hill. We crossed a stream of fresh water which according to me was the best part of our second consecutive failed trail. We walked up the hill, going past some houses where stray dogs started barking at us. It was afternoon and walking in the heat was getting increasingly difficult. We also spotted a gang of Gray Langur sitting on a compound wall. We reached a small house on top and then took the wrong way to end exactly at the place where we had started our hike. Too tired to give a second shot, we crossed the stream and got into our auto. Next stop was the Kudle Beach - Gokarna's second most popular beach

The Belekan Beach

The entire beach was littered with organic waste

A Dragon Fly

Gray Langur or Indian Langur

More clicks at Belekan

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GOKARNA DIARIES: AUG'14 - Part XIV

THE FARMERS & THE PADDY FIELDS

Apart from fishing, another important occupation along the coast is padding farming. The fertile soil brought down by the rivers, the hot and humid climate as well as the heavy showers make Indian coast ideal to cultivate rice which is also the staple food in southern India. As I had mentioned earlier, I was spell bound by the scenes of farmers working so hard in their fields on the banks of the Agnashini River. At the same time, I was highly disappointed that I could not click any pictures of the people, the fields and the river flowing by since we were sitting in the tempo that took us from Gokarna Road to the main town. However, I got the opportunity to fulfill my wish as we were walking towards the Paradise Beach.

There were about eight people working in this paddy field opposite the Belekan Beach. The farm was a small one, about 3000 sq feet and there was a fresh water stream flowing close by which provided water. The bright green color of the crops is so refreshing, isn't it? The last picture in this photo blog was clicked from the top of the hill. The two people, a lady and a man were working on this pretty big field covered by a green carpet of paddy crop. Though we never made it to the Paradise Beach, coming so far was nevertheless rewarding thanks to these pictures.

Two ladies working on a farm opposite the Belekan Beach

Woman power

The harvested crops and the stone walls provide a nice backdrop

A couple standing in a sea of green

For more posts in the series: GOKARNA DIARIES: AUG'14, click here (Link)