Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Tour log approved.

No matter where you reach, the end is far.
And, No matter where you go, there you are...

Ok failed poetry aside, Nice pics and message buddy. Waiting for more of them...
Well, Earth is a big place, sure no doubt about that.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Nice teasers Krishna bhai...bring on the rest

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Nice start, Barun da

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Barun da, akele hi jao aap -_-

Sent from my GT-N7100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Thanks for the approval.


I had cut the entire route in 3 parts for my convenience.
Dum Dum to Garia - 25.3 km.
Garia to Namkhana - 98.1 km.
Namkhana to Bakkhali - 24.6 km.


This ride was several firsts for me -
1. This was the first time I was going completely solo for the entire ride. On previous occasions, my wife used to accompany me. But, this time she had fever and decided against going herself.
2. This was the first time I was going to a beach.
3. This was also the first time when I was supposed to cover ~ 350kms on a single day(that might not seem a great deal to people not residing in Bengal but ask any person with considerable riding experience in Bengal and Kolkata and you'll know).
I decided to ride on 22nd March as days would get hotter later. As usual, I had a tiring week in office and was a little late to home on Saturday(21st). But somehow, managed to wake up around 4:55 am in the morning and I started exactly at 6:15. Things I took with me:
1. My mobile(Xperia L)
2. My camera(Sony HX10V). One of the best travel compacts with 16X zoom. My trusted companion since almost 3 years now.
3. Power Bank (MI 5200 mAh). Came in very handy due to high battery consumption for constantly using internet with low signal penetration.
4. Full tank & half wallet(a never carry too much cash as I don't have too much of the green paper anyways), ATM cards. And yes, some money in changes.
5. A spare T-shirt.
6. An one-litre bottle of home-made lassi with a dash of lime and considerable amount of Glucon-D.
7. A two-litre bottle of plain almost frozen water(the very low temperature ensured the water did not get warm even at 12:30 pm).


Good morning Kolkata..


En route....


Common scenario in Bengal and in India(this is on a National Highway)!


The route in Google Map.

More to follow.......

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

I started off via E.M. Bypass early to ensure minimum traffic. Maintained a steady speed and first reached my first destination Garia and then Sonarpur within 45 minutes. As it was a Sunday, after 7 am., traffic and the number of people began to rise. Continued on Sonarpur-Baruipur road. Road is good with a few curves but is vary narrow(Only two lanes) in regards to the traffic activity.
Just before the Baruipur station took a right turn and entered the Baruipur-Amtala road. Barring a few places, the overall condition of the road is good. Now this is one of the finest road around Kolkata when it comes to curves. There are plenty of those. And men love to see curves(no pun intended). But wait, where there is a curve, danger awaits you (again, no pun intended). These curves can be life and bike threatening. Any one of those.
Imagine this - both you and your bike are good at cornering and are bending to get as close as possible to the tarmac at say 60-70 kmph. You are doing good on your lane. Suddenly you see one local hero coming to you at breakneck speed/a lady with a cattle /a stray dog/a motor-van coming from the opposite direction on the opposite lane. That is your lane and you will only get 15-20 feet to ensure any further rides in your entire life.
If you have resisted the urge of cornering and are still fine, there are plenty of greenery around you. The very famous guava orchards of Baruipur are among them. Guavas from these trees around travel long distance.
The last 1.5 km. before Amtala is again very hectic. Somehow managed to reach Amtala crossing and took a left turn to be on Diamond Harbour Road(NH 117). My destination is at the end of NH 117. Road is very good but not that wide as you would expect a NH to be. But, you can maintain speeds of 70-80 kmph throughout except some pockets.
Reached Diamond Harbour in time(around 35 odd km.s). Took some photoes. Wish the road parallel to the river Ganges was a little longer. This small duration was probably the best portion of the ride. The Ganges here is so wide that you can hardly see the other side of the river. The NH with the mighty Ganges on one side - just teriffic!


Fruit orchards.


Resting beside the Ganges at Diamond Harbour


A creek at Diamond Harbour


Curves. Inviting but dangerous!


Guava Orchards.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

I continued leaving behind Diamond Harbour. There are not much to talk about. Lush greenery on both sides of the road complimented Sunflower cultivation. I guess Sunflower has economic advantages over other crops of same family. Botanists and Horticulturists would know better. Just before and after Kulpi, the road condition is bad and patchwork is going on. Had one heart-in-the-mouth experience. I was going at around 70kmph during one good patch and suddenly an i20 came out from the opposite direction from behind a truck and came to my lane. My riding skills were up for a test and I somehow passed it. To me surprise, the driver (possibly drunk) hurled some abuses to me for no fault of mine! I swore back and let him know what my though process was of his words. Now don't ask me what pleasantries we exchanged but it was surely not something worth mentioning in a family dinner!
Long road was getting longer with the rise in temperature. But, my full-sleeve shirt was saving me from direct sunlight. Reached Kakdwip. It took me 15 minutes to cross the Kakdwip station+market spanning only 1.5 km.s. From Kakdwip, you can take a diversion and go to Gangasagar via 8 no. lot(jetty) after taking a right turn.
I continued straight. Reached Namkhana(14 km.s from Kakdwip) my second destination. Here you have to take a ferry to get to the other side of the river Hatania-Doania after which the NH 117 continues right till the sea(Bakkhali). The river is small but is very important economically. A huge number of cargo ships enter the Haldia and Kolkata ports from the Bay of Bengal through this river. Also, this ferry is the only means to connect Kolkata with a several lakh people. The charge is Rs. 10+50 for a bike+passenger for going to the other side and Rs. 50 while coming back. If you are on a bike, don't wait at the end of the long queue just go up till you reach the front. If you wait, it can take 1.5-2 hr.s just to get to the other end of the river.


Somewhere between Diamond Harbour and Kulpi


Sunflower cultivation


Ship from another country(most probably Bangladesh)


The ferry on Hatania-Doania


Many holidaymakers on four wheels but none on a two-wheeler from Kolkata(did not see a Kolkata/N24 Parganas registered bike after Diamond Harbour)


Fishermen.

To be continued..........

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

After the river, condition of the road is almost similar to the road before crossing the river. The only difference is a little less traffic. The distance between Namkhana and Bakkhali is 24 km. Took me 35 odd minutes. 2 km.s before Bakkhali, there is a small fish-port called Frazergunj. Though I could not see any fish market, I happened to see how fish is dried on the beach and then packaged and sent for markets. Dried-fish(also called 'shutki machh' in Bengali) is a delicacy in both West Bengal and Bangladesh. Only if you can bear with the foul smell. I bet this smell does not even come close to aroma from Jasmine flowers! One more interesting thing is the huge windmills. Due to uncertainty over power, sustainable and unconventional energy is an way of life here.
At the end of NH 117, you need to walk for about 300 meters to go the extreme end of eastern India - Bakkhali beach. To my disappointment, I could not take my bike right on the beach as the same is prohibited by law here. But, as per my consience, this is a good step forward to protect our coast. I parked my bike beside the tea shop I had tea from. So, no bike-on-the-beach photographs! Sorry for that!
Bakkhali beach is 'not' laced with numerous shops. It's a very peaceful and serene place with seafood delicacies at your mercy. There are several tourist lodges but whatever I saw, according to that the lodge of WBTDCL is the best one location-wise, facility-wise and guest-profile-wise. Though mine was an one-day ride and one can easily visit this place in a day, I'd not advice anyone to follow such a hectic schedule. You should at least spend a day there. You'd surely love the place. I spent an hour or so roaming around.
There are a few small seaside restaurants serving a few varieties of seafood. Was not able to taste that fearing potential discomfort on my ride back home. But, if you are visiting the place during more friendly weather like winter or monsoon, please give it a try.


An almost empty stretch of road


The closest I could go to the water


Tedhe mere beach mein..


Famous wind-miils


Not too occupied beach


Sand being pulled up.


Fish being dried.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Two videos of Hatania-Doania river and Bakkhali beach.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Lovely pictures. That beach looks real clean and inviting.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Thanks. Yes, this beach is one of the best I've ever seen.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

I see a very few people active from Kolkata out here. And you are one of them who actually post a lot to keep us updated about Kolkata.
Nice pictures. Nice taste of bengal.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Thanks a lot!
I try to cover as much as possible within a short span.
We have everything in Bengal apart from desert. If at least some experiences are shared, it'd be great. West Bengal is virtually unexplored in xBhp.

Re: Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

Brilliant work man. Keep it rolling.