Bekal

We usually travel once a year with our aunt and uncle who live in the US, when they visit India. So this time we finalized on Bekal, Kerala. One can drive from Bangalore to Bekal, or can take a flight to Mangalore, which is the closest airport. Bekal is a small town, situated in Kasargod district. We took a morning flight on a Friday from Bangalore and reached Mangalore in 1 hour. From Mangalore we had our hotel cars waiting for us at the airport. The drive is around 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Mangalore to Bekal. 

All 9 of us reached the Taj Vivanta resort by 12.30 - 1pm. Taj vivanta is a lovely property in Bekal with access to the Kappil beach from inside the resort. 

 

Reception area

Kids can feed fish

After having the fresh welcome drink, we checked-in to our rooms. With a houseboat like entrance, the room was just perfect, with a patio, an open courtyard, swing bed in the courtyard and A PRIVATE POOL! 

Entrance to our room

Welcome to our room

We quickly freshened up, had fresh juice at the restaurant and jumped into the common big swimming pool. As expected, it was hot, and so it was perfect to be in the pool. After swimming for more than one hour, we came back to our room and had a quick bite. 

We got ready and headed out to see the famous Bekal fort. It was around a 20 min drive to the fort from the hotel. The fort is beautiful and widely spread. The other side of the fort is the Arabian sea. One of the songs from the movie "Bombay" was shot in this fort :) So one can imagine the beauty of this place. We need at least 2 hours to walk inside the whole place.

After exploring the fort, we headed back to our hotel. We had masala tea in the hotel before exploring the resort. And around 6pm, A and I did kayaking on the backwaters. It was sooo good! I just LOVE any water activity. The greenary and the water makes me sooo happy!!!  We had loads of FUN kayaking that evening. 

Kayaking area

We spent sometime sitting near the backwaters and absorbing the nature and peace :) 

Backwaters and beach at the end

We walked around for some more time before heading to the restaurant to have dinner. We had a buffet dinner which was widely spread. The food was fantastic! I literally tried each and everything that was vegetarian on the buffet spread :D - starting from salads, starters to main course and desserts :) And also went for a second serving of the items I liked :p 

The kids were fast asleep even before we reached the room. They were exhausted with so many activities that day. So A and I got time to sit near the pool with our feet in water and chat. And before falling asleep, I got some TV-time :D I love watching tv before dozing off. So it was perfect :D

Bathtub in the courtyard

Private plunge pool

The next day we got up early, had awesome coffee at the patio, listening to birds and went down to the beach to watch the sun rise. We walked along the beach for one hour, with the waves hitting us on one side and sand one the other. Kids ran around, making sand castles, picking up shells, getting wet and jumping around.

Fishermen at work

We all started feeling hungry and so walked back to the restaurant to have a heavy breakfast. It was a buffet spread and we made full justice to our tummies :p

We walked around for a while and spent all the time till lunch in the private pool. The kids had a blast. They were on their own with the floats on. A and I were able to practice our swimming. Grandparents sat near the pool chatting and watching kids play :)             

Then it was time to kayak. We had an amazing time kayaking from one end of the backwaters to the other which was a beach - it was beautiful and peaceful! It was perfect and I loved it! We need to find places near Bangalore where we can do kayaking often :)

Kayaking on the backwaters

It was time to eat again, well, we had earned it after kayaking :p We had a quick lunch and headed back to the room where we jumped into the private plunge pool. The kids have spent most of their time in water during this trip. By 3.30 it was time for us to visit the Jiva Grande Spa. The spa is one of the best in Asia and as expected we enjoyed and loved the experience here. It was again perfect.

Bridge to the spa

As soon as I was done at the spa, I walked to the beach to watch the beautiful sun set. The whole gang were already there enjoying the view. We spent sometime here till it got dark. We got back to our room, and spent time at the pool. Later we went to the restaurant where we had yummy buffet dinner. 

Moon after sunset :)

Dinner time

The kids slept right after dinner, while we sat at the pool and relaxed. I again watched tv before sleeping which was a big bonus :)

We got up early the next morning, had coffee on the patio, listened to lots and lots of birds. 

 

View from our room

We watched the sunrise and the morning freshness near the backwaters was unbeatable. It was very serene!

View of our room from the backwaters

PEACE

The best part of a trip is that everyone gets to do their own thing. The kids run around or play with whatever and wherever. 

We had a heavy yummy buffet breakfast, after which we stayed in the pool till it was time for us to get ready and leave. 

After every trip we feel that we should visit the place once every year :) When we start planning for the next holiday we always end up visiting a new place as there are soooo many places to see!

We drove till the airport in Mangalore and boarded the flight. We were back in Bangalore by evening.

An amazing trip and great company. Thanks Anu for everything. Thanks aunty, uncle, amma and appa :) It was a FUN trip.