Mangalore: Memories galore !!

This post is for the Indiblogger contest by Mahindra & Mahindra. Here is a link to the Mahindra XUV500-

http://www.mahindraxuv500.com/

This was my first trip with college friends to Mangalore and St. Mary's Island (Udupi). Leaving from the small town- Davangere, we had high hopes from the Konkan coast as we had heard many accolades about the place- the food, the people and the amazing sea.

Image Courtesy: Google Search for a khatara bus. :-D

The bus journey from Davangere to Mangalore wasn't up to our expectations to say the least. The bus was okay but the state highway had given up to the heavy vehicles eons ago it seemed. The dirt and the wobbly path were all very detrimental to our spirits but thankfully as soon as we reached the place and saw the sunrise against the morning sea, all our spirits were rejuvenated and recharged!

The rose outside St. Aloysius church smiled upon us!

These flowers seemed to be in a jovial spirit too! Mangalore promised to be a joyful and fresh experience!

You don't see the photos from inside the church because we were requested not to take any photos inside the church. The murals inside the church taking us through Jesus Christ's magnificent life story, older more than 200 years when St. Aloysius had come to India in 1853.

Apparently, the murals are available on google if you run a little internet search. Here is a photo of the majestic murals which are 200 years old but still are fresh as dew drops.

Image Courtesy: Google Search

Image courtesy: Google search

Here is a photo of the church in all its glory, standing the test of time, and keeping up with the times. The compound housed a school and a college too.

Tired, we decided to take a break and it was almost lunch time so we headed to the nearby pizza hut outlet. 

This glass of mojito was just full to the brim before the camera lens zoomed on it, slurrp!! And all was    gone! 

                 Breads and drinks! The war was being fought with knives, straws, forks and spoons!

              Introducing myself- with my thirst in all its glory!

That afternoon, we headed to Udupi district to visit the famous St. Mary's island. A small ferry took us to the magical island where sun, sand and the lonesome romantic beaches stole our hearts.

         

       The above is a click of the island beach from the ferry. *sigh* Magnificent!

The beautiful sunset at the beach stole all our hearts!

                     

                      The sea shells at the sea shore were aplenty! It was a collector's dreamland!!

More shells than sand could be seen. My keen interest in collected those colourful gems of the sea couldn't be controlled. I think I went berserk for a while. I remember running on the beach, arms wide open!

The serene rocky shore could be seen on the other side of the island. A perfect place to sit and ponder on the inner workings of human nature.

It was disheartening to see that some tourists had littered here and there on the beach. The beach was defaced with plastic bottles and chips packets. :-( 

This is me somehow controlling my urge to scream and thank heavens for getting me to here. You might feel that I am exaggerating but you have to be here to feel that I am not.

Me and my friend sitting on the shores, watch out for the slippery rocks!!

I think I had attained salvation for those happiest few minutes of my life.

Collecting shells for my younger sister! How I wish she was here!

   The majestic shipyard outside the Malpe beach in Udupi. Breath-taking, isn't it?

This was the place where we stayed and believe me, we had a beach there too! Yes! Summer Sands resorts! A few kilometers away from Mangalore city, serene and poignant against the backdrop of the turbulent waters! 

The colourful chandelier in the restaurant of the resort! We didn't try anything outrageous as all of us were vegetarians but the menu was delectable for people who are into fish, I can tell!

This a cute li'l pup in search of its mother while the mother's bark, rather howling, could be heard from afar telling us that she was equally worried too. Heart-melting short story written in nature's corridors.

 This is a photo of the cottages in the resort where we crashed after the day of amazing experiences!

So friends, this was the incredible journey where in one day, we lived for weeks, months and the memories are going to stay with us for life!