Some Sunshine & Sand for the Summer
India Outbound
March-April 2019
Five travel bloggers and five beach destinations. India Outbound gets five ideas to inspire you for your next summer break!
Mridula Dwivedi, traveltalesfromindia.in
MALDIVES
“As our plane started making a descent to the Male International Airport, the vistas unfolding below were spectacular! However, my final destination was Maafushi Island for which we were taking a speed boat transfer. Maafushi is a small but stunning island in the Maldivian archipelago, counting for nearly 1,200 islands of all sizes, spread in 26 coral atolls. All around is the powdery white sand. The beach is roughly divided in two areas, simply called- local beach and tourist beach! The local area is quieter. You can easily walk around the island and enjoy its beauty. Maafushi is not a resort island only, people live on it and there are budget hotels available as well. We decided to hop over to the Fihalhohi Island that was even more spectacular. It is an island resort as well. Both the islands offered plenty of snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. Maldives is the perfect place for a lazy vacation on the beach!” Mridula Dwivedi, traveltalesfromindia.in
Priyanka Dalal, priyankawriting.com
AUSTRALIA
“I cycled on the Great Ocean Road of Australia for a few days. As the name suggests, it is right by ocean and lined with empty beaches, limestone rock formations, lighthouses and other exciting places to explore. More than that, there is something very different in the flora and fauna that you see here. Part of this road passes through a national park too. The prices here are a bit higher but it’s well worth a visit. Tip: there is a 40km-long walking route from Torquay to Airey’s Inlet. It is a sandy pathway surrounded by the region’s local flora and fauna, and the best part is that it hugs the coast most of the way with some stunning ocean views. Explore this region on foot!” Priyanka Dalal, priyankawriting.com
Swati Jain, buoyantfeet.com
INDONESIA
“With grand limestone structures, sandy shores, towering reefs, and breath-taking panoramas, the beaches in Bali have most of the tropical essence gift-wrapped in their exotic coastal landscapes. This makes Bali one of the most sought after beach destinations, attracting surfers, divers, and swimmers from all over the world. I particularly loved spending my time at Nusa Penida where the far sights were blue and that’s where I had my first snorkelling experience. Bali may be a tourist haven, but in Nusa Penida, you can still pretend you’ve been shipwrecked away from the crowds on your own private island.”
Swati Jain, buoyantfeet.com
Shraddha Gupta, streettrotter.com
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka, famed for its exotic rainforests, well-preserved wildlife and ancient Buddhist ruins, is also well known for its sandy beaches. While most of the beach spots in the country get tourists from all over the world, the Jungle Beach in Galle is a hidden gem. A secluded bay hidden at the foot of a dense coastal jungle, with a variety of shells and crushed corals to collect. A short walk from the Old Town of Galle, the beach lies right next to the popular Galle fort and the lighthouse, turning the trail into a great day trip for any tourist in the area. Other big beach towns such as Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are a must visit too for a relaxing day along the coast, sipping on natural juices, reading a book, or treating on some fresh seafood. The most authentic Sri Lankan experience comes with a combination of a traditional meal comprising the local ‘hoppers’ and the locally brewed Lion beer for beer lovers.
Shraddha Gupta, streettrotter.com
Sandy and Vijay, imvoyager.com – Picture: Khoi Nguyen
CAMBODIA
We are absolutely in awe of beaches, especially the ones that have an untouched aura about them. We were in Cambodia and were looking forward to visiting the famous temple of Angkor Wat; but were pleasantly surprised as the serendipity of the trip took us to the picturesque beach town of Sihanoukville, a lesser known gem of Cambodia. The town is embellished with gorgeous beaches and surrounded by idyllic islands that evoke an aura of paradise. Koh Rong is one such island with a heavenly beach. It is a secluded island with an area of 78 square kilometres and 43 kilometres of lovely beaches. The island is reached by a 45-minute steamboat ride from Sihanoukville. The island that has featured in the French television series, Survivor is a slice of paradise. One can enjoy water sports or just walk along the sands of the pristine beach watching the turquoise waters splash languorously on the sands.
Sandy and Vijay, imvoyager.com
