gokarna

.....do you kids like boom chillum?

I don't know what Gokarn was like 12 years ago (I can imagine!), but it is still not too built up, facilities still on the basic side, not much in the way of western-oriented mid-level and higher accom. A year ago there was a substantial looking upper-end resort being built over Om beach. There are 2-3 accom places on Kumlee beach that are permanent-ish looking (made with brick, not the beach hut sort of thing). In Gokarn itself I noticed one bona-fide hotel (don't know if it's aimed at Indian or western tourists). A couple of the guesthouses are of a decent standard (newish, some attention to decor even if it was only fresh paint). Still not much when you compare to Goa and Kerala beaches.

I suppose it depends on your kids and you, what you're all accustomed to.

I have a few photos on my BLOG, in case that will help.

The choice of accommodation at Gokarna has increased considerably in the last 2 years. Gokarna International now have a very nice 10 roomed hotel on Kudlee beach (just opened) - ensuite rooms (no a/c), balconies, nice garden,Rs700 per day. Seabird Resort is on the hill above Gokarna - a/c rooms at Rs.1500 per night, great views and quiet location but you need transport to the beaches. Om Beach Resort is across the road from Seabird - an upmarket resort with spacious a/c rooms at Rs.4000 per day - it is also an ayuvedic centre. The new 5-star on Om beach is extremely expensive at Rs.15000 per night.

With children I would go for Gokarna International's hotel on Kudlee beach, provided it is not monsoon season. Kudlee beach is still our favourite beach in India.

#3 sounds like things are developing fast. Hope it doesn't get out of control

hi! thanx for the info....doesn´t sound too bad with children. but...OLDPRO...i manage to open your page but....is it photo salad i have to click?? the page doesn´t open on my mac

ok oldpro...now the page opened,but.....the pictures have no names, so it´s kind a difficult to see WHAT and WHERE the pictures belong to.
#1 no, my kids don´t smoke (yet), and mom and dad prefer malana cream to the usual cheras....occasionally....so if you have some good ideas.......

#6 you click on the pictures for a larger version, plus description/title (apparently the website has been altered -- you used to be able to view the title just by dragging the mouse pointer over the small photo)

We were sharing a temple ruin with a Sadhu in Hampi, "where are you travelling to"?, "Ceylon " we said. "First visit ........ " he said "shanti , shiva place" . So we took the afternoon bus from Hospet, we arrived after dark, no beds to be found , "try the beach" said a shopkeeper so we slept under the stars and awoke to find ourselves on a beautiful beach surrounded by curious locals ,we were taken in for a fish curry idli and coffee breakfast and then explored the town, wow,CLEAN(!) streets, temples , tribal women selling vegetables, worshippers freshly bathed heading for the temple with flowers and incense , what a place , still no where to stay.... We were directed to the shore temple that had a a huge tank with gushing fresh water, a young lady who lived there with her child offered us a floor to sleep on, the deal was that we bought the food ,she cooked it and we could stay. Even better when we went to the market and discovered that the tribal people wouldnt take any money for the fruit and vegetables. we stayed for some days and then decided to do some exploring, over one headland to a deserted beach then over another to a fantastic double bayed beach backed with jungle and a grove of coconut palms. A fisher family lived there and one farming family by the coconut grove . At the far end of the beach was a green headland with sago palms, we investigated, The ground was wet and with a bit of digging and placing of large leaves we created running water, 'MAYBE WE COULD STAY HERE !?" We asked the family , they laughed and said of course so back to the village , bought some clay pots and dhal, rice and veggies and we set up home ! Plenty of driftwood for firewood, the family would bring us a fish or prawns every day and 2-3 a week we would be up ut dawn , shower( the most beautful bathroom in the world !!) and head off to the village to buy supplies and to devour a thali ( "please no pay ") When we returned there were tracks around our camp, large snakes, jackals and other unidentified creatures had been checking out our supplies and enjoying the water ! Eagles and huge vultures soared overhead, pods of Dolphins passed offshore and at dusk the high pitched chatter of sea otters filled the air as they came up on the rocks below our camp. The days passed , we were still the only travellers on that stretch of coast, the fantastic shivyatri festival in the town was over our water trickle was lessening and the days were getting much hotter . One day we awoke to find that the water had stopped, the pots had just enough for one last wash and we packed up our things, passed on our pots and remaining supplies to the family and continued our journey. As we looked back my girlfriend said "with a bit of imagination you could say that the beach was shaped like an Om"................. Gokarna February /March 1978.

#3 PS. Om beach resort( could it be the same beach ....!?) 15000/- a day, it would be nice to think that the poor farmer or fisher family are getting some of the cream but I guess that they are long gone......