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Chasing summer to the hills and beaches

It's time to get away to some cooler climes

PHOTOS: K.R. DEEPAK

SCENIC BEAUTY Boat ride at Kondakarla Ava

The lazy, crazy days are back. The magic word is `holidays' and the glee on the children's faces is unmistakable. The travel bug is set to bite almost everyone and it's time to get away to some cooler climes.

Summer vacation conjures up images of the customary annual trip to grandparent's place, running about everywhere with cousins, messing up in the mud and scrupulously avoiding the angry gaze of mom for being late in the evening. No more books, no more strict time-tables - it's a delirious trip to the fantasy world. And with plenty of options available around the city, it can indeed be a never-ending journey to the fantasy worlds this summer. This is a good time to leave the closed confines of urban life and experience the refreshing wilderness.

The green expanse of Kambalakonda Wild Life Sanctuary accentuated with folds and valleys can be a perfect getaway for a morning out. Just about 12 km. from the city, nestled in the Eastern Ghats overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the place is slowly turning in to a hot tourist spot with all the latest developments following the concept of eco-tourism. Spread across 7139 hectares of area, the place supports dry deciduous forest with the forest area varying from dense to scrub and scattered grasslands with water bodies harbouring rich flora and fauna. Around 80 hectares of the area is marked as Nature Park. Here you can watch spotted deer and peacocks feed in the sun-bleached grass, which turns tawny as the sun rises and a variety of birds speckle the tops of trees. Nature-based activities like trekking and bird watching developed in the area offer exciting options for the languorous holidays. One can take rest at the rustic tents overlooking the valleys and enjoy the serenity of nature.

For all adventure lovers, this is the time to pack your bags and go hitchhiking. About 75 km. from Vizag en route to Araku, the winding curves of the Ghat road leading to Tyda is an ideal place for trekking. The Jungle Bell cottages set up by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) offers a quiet and cool resting place to start the trip. "People can be one with nature at this place. One can wake up to the chirping of birds and explore the greens through a variety of programmes like trekking and bird watching from the early hours," says P. Jeevan Prasad, Divisional Manager of the Corporation. Further up on the way to Araku, the vast coffee plantations of Ananthagiri are a sight to behold, clinging in uniform patterns of greens along the ghat road. The intensifying silence of the valleys is an instant tranquiliser. The 16 valley-facing cottages of APTDC at Anantagiri offer an enchanting view of the mystical valley. "The natural environment of the place is a great stress buster. A trip to the Tatiguda waterfalls situated at a kilometer's distance from Ananthagiri can be a refreshing experience," he adds.

Foreign tourists enjoying at the beach

If you want to cool down at a closer place, dash off to the pristine beach of Rushikonda. To cater to the rise in tourist inflow this summer, APTDC has set up a new block with additional 24 rooms at its Haritha Beach Resort in Rushikonda facing the sea. Watch the majestic crimson sun rise from the water engulfing the mystical darkness sending golden ripples in the Bay of Bengal.

For those who wish to experience the thrill of a boat ride on traditional canoes as well as view the avian wonders dive into the waters and flutter around, Kondakarla Ava, 60 km. away from the city, can be a perfect holiday spot. The place is home to many rare avian species including migratory ones.

Another destination a few kilometres away from the city is the Yarada beach. Sandwiched between green-capped hills on three sides and the sea on one side, the beach is an ideal spot for a day out. Going by the motorable route, the beach is located 15 km. away from the city. Basically there are two approaches to this spot, one by the motorboat plus trek route and the other the motorable route.

NIVEDITA GANGULY

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