Friday 31 March 2017

OUR ODISHA TRIP



We – my wife and I – were on a short holiday in Odisha from March 20 to 25, 2017, visiting temples, heritage sites and other tourist attractions at Puri, Konarak and Bhubaneswar.  It was a pleasant trip.  We stayed at Golden Sands, a Sterling resort in Puri, shuttling among the three places. 


THE GOLDEN SANDS
(By Subbaram Danda)





The resort sprawls over a vast area in a picturesque setting.   There is a perceptible air of romance about it.  The Bay of Bengal roars behind it.  Its guests can gain entry into the beach from the resort itself.  On one side of the resort Bhargavi river flows serenely on its journey to the sea.  The point of confluence is scenic.  The apartments stand in clusters surrounded by a wide variety of trees and flower plants.  The lawns add a touch of greenery to the atmosphere.  The interior roads are palm-fringed.  A swimming pool stands out with its unique design merging with the environment but at the same time flaunting its contemporary elegance. The entire area looks tastefully landscaped. 

Interestingly, our five-day stay at the resort was free, being holders of Sterling holiday units, purchased long ago.  We had to pay only utility charges.  We were also entitled to certain concessions at the restaurant.  The resort was undergoing renovation and some of its portions had been cordoned off.  However, we were not inconvenienced much.

Here are some photos taken at the resort:


At the Reception area 

In the Reception foyer
In front of our apartment

A view of the resort

At another spot in the resort

River Bhargavi (background) flows alongside the resort

At the beach behind the resort

The beach as seen from the resort

Bhargavi river before joining the sea

The confluence of the river with the sea

In the garden of the resort

Flower plants everywhere

Flowers in full bloom

A venue for outdoor activities

The resort's restaurant serves several South Indian varieties too

Look for my next write-up.  It will be on Puri.

March 31, 2017