Unscramble

This was an year ago. Keeping with the trend, a few of us thought of going on a trip at the year ending. But we did buck the trend. While eone I knew was heading for happening Goa, we were going to .... any guesses .....
Orissa!!!!

We didnt have any inkling on the destination. We were a group of 9. That was the right size. We should have had a whale of a time. We actually started for Orissa without a plan on where we 'd stay, where we d travel to first!!!! n we were software professionals... so learned blah blah..

Any traveler worth his salt would ve told us that it would be a failure or we d have to face difficulties.

The trip started on a positive note. We hogged on Biryani(authentic Hyderabadi Biryani from Paradise) in the train, before we even reached Hyderabad outskirts. Had a gud nights sleep. The next morning had breakfast at Vizag station. Finally in the evening after the usual delay of a couple of hours, we reached Bubaneswar.

I missed out on the Train Trip. The first impression of the Chilka Lake while on the way the Bubaneswar is unforgettable. The first thought immense, peaceful, serene.

After a good nights rest at some hotel, a breakfast and nothing to do, we were on the lookout for a conveyance to Puri. The group split up. One went in search for a vehicle, which was difficult to find being the holiday season. The travel agent made a killing. The rest of us went to the Lingaraj temple. (The trip requires another blog dedicated to it.) and the Orissa state museum. Wonder how many locals had actually visited it. The other team could fortunately find a Qualis.

The next day we had signed up for a State tour to Puri and Konark in a rotten State tourism Bus. Rotten coz its con justed and the Guide just wouldnt stop yapping away.
We reached Puri in the noon. Beautiful temple. A pity the surroundings were so dirty. It reeked of filth, flies and the stink. Absolutely, no basic essential facilities.No rest rooms, hospitals... If id my way Id have gladly given the temple a miss and headed straight for the Beach.

The lunch followed at again a state guest house, where the guests fought over the food, plates , water n what not.

We again headed back to Bubaneswar via Konark and Pipili. Konark was awesome especially in the sunset. Must go back sometime. This was the only place, where there was a semblance to something of an order. I actually saw a queue at the ticket counter. If at all anything worth seeing in Orissa, its Konark.

Headed for Pipili next. God knows, who in their right minds would go to this place. Its an entire village selling the same stuff of table lamps, wall hangings and even the same patterns. Not one of em was different.

Haaa nback to Bubaneswar. Time for a good nap.

The next day the Qualis arrived, and we checked out and headed for Taptapani (250kms from Bubaneswar). The trip there took us nearly 6-7 hours. Ill cover the trip and the awesome hot springs in a coming blog.

Headed for Gopalpuram guest house for a nights stay. The next day we traveled to a place on the shores of the Chilka Lake. Finally the fun part of the fun trip had started. We took a packed lunch to one of the islands, treked a bit and back to the main land for some dinner. Had a good nights sleep and caught a train back to Vizag. Phew!!!!!!!

Finally. Took a Bus back to good ole Hyd from Vizag.

Home Sweet Home!!!

Moral:
1. Plan
2. Places worth the travel to Orissa - Konark, Chilka Lake