It was an impromptu decision by me and my ex-roommate (now studying in Hyderabad) for a weekend trip to Visakhapatnam.However, we luckily got a room in the APTDC resort near Rushikonda each. The view from the balcony was superb.
A toy train ride atop Kailasagiri. At first you will only see some shrubs and start thinking if paying Rs 75 was a mistake, when the view of the city and the sea will unfold slowly.
We climbed the steep stairs (and a ladder) of the Dolphin's Nose lighthouse accompanied by a boisterous group of Bengali tourists who, however, was quietened down by the sight of the vast expanse of the sea. My phone only recorded a part of it.
Vizag is the HQ of Eastern Naval Command and houses a museum developed inside a de-inducted Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft. Inside, a Navy veteran explained things in detail.
The harbour from where fish lovers in several states of the country get their fill
Gold Rush
The next morning, we boarded the 2S coach of Visakhapatnam-Kirandul passenger train to visit Araku valley. I had heard a lot about this route and the train journey proved to be as breathtaking and enchanting as described by travellers before us.There are about 60 tunnels en route. Pic by my friend. I tried and tried but failed to catch the right moment
How green was my valley?
We took the APTDC road package which included lunch at Haritha Hill Resort and a Dhimsa tribal dance performance
The musicians said the bigger drum is called tudumu (I forgot the name of the other) and the flute is known as Jodukommulu. (I hope the spellings are correct)
Borra Caves, the main attraction of Araku, are said to be 150 million years old. There is a labyrinth of stairs and Stalactites and stalagmites everywhere inside.
The multi-coloured digital lights are quite popular with the tourists but I would have preferred dim yellow bulbs and a play of light and shadow
Our last stop in the Vizag-Araku tour was Shri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Simhachalam Hills, which has beautiful carvings and sculptures. No phone allowed inside, so, no photo. But that's ok.
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