Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod...know more about me

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A few days in Vizag

Route - 980 kms approx (Did in two days with overnight stoppage at Harsha Residency Tirupati)

Stay in Vizag - Green city apartments (serviced apartments - not recommended)

What to see - Beaches and Borra caves

We start at around 4pm and plan to take the night break at Tirupati. Traffic too was on the heavier side, we reach Hotel Harsha Residency at 10:30 taking the route via Kolar and Chitoor. The next morning start our onward journey at 6am, and it took around 12.5 hrs to Green City Appts which Vinod booked through AirBNB.

Our stay was in a huge flat with bare minimum facilities, with no or least maintenence. As we stepped into the facility we were like lost, it was a housing society and the guards could not speak English or Hindi. Its with great difficulty we located the caretaker who took us to the room. Food is difficult so one has to find your own way out, breakafast is either idli or upma as its included in the package. Its 7 kms to the Gajuwaka area so if one is without a vehicle its difficult to venture out.

The next morning we set out early to sightseeing. Vizag is strategically located to the northern side of the Andhra coastline. The beach city and the port form the main attractions of the place, which is sizzling hot and humid in summers. But sea lovers can never miss this city.....

Our first stop is Kailasgiri hill which is around 30kms away. Kailash hill is a hill near Vishakhapatanam, which has been developed to a tourist spot. The approach road is well maintained, there is a entry fee which is charged inbetween the climb. There is ample parking space though it was full during our visit.

View from the top of the hill, one can have the views of the beaches with its beautiful fringes by the buildings in array and the blue expanse.


A gate welcomes you which has a observatory to the right side.


Doppler weather radar station vizag which is a cyclone warning station.


map of the place


The toy train facility shows up further which takes you for a drive around the hill for around 15 mins at snail pace. The train didn't impress us much so gave a skip.


The titanic point is a bit away from the hill where one can walk to get good views. There are lots of vendors serving snacks, coffee, corn and so on

The Shiva and Parvathi statue is another point where mostly people went to click selfies and family pics.


The view of Rishikonda beach has a beautiful view from here.


There are battery cars for those who carnt walk


What to see here include the Titanic view point, Shiv parvathy statue, Shanthi ashram, Museum, Rose garden and the Ropeway which is one way to go to the top. Toy train is available on from 10.30AM to 8.00PM. Over all the place is good for the views of the sea and city.

Further we drive to Bheemunipatanam, for the beaches. Have lunch at Novotel in Varun Beach, and enjoy the sea here. This picturesqe beach road is a pleasure to drive, Bheemunipatanam is located on the mouth of Gosthani river and is beleived to be since the time of Mahabharatha and hence the name from Bhima. It was once a Dutch settlement as the ruined dutch fort is seen here.

Novotel has a beautiful location just in front of the beach


These pictures are from the Mangamaripeta beach. Major attraction is the rock formations found along the beach. The board reads


The rocky beach






The naturally formed arches


Evening at Ramakrishna beach or R.K beach, and the Lawson's Bay is a favorite spot for joggers, walkers and sea lovers. The beach is a happening place which hosts Asia's only subarine museum, an aquarium, the temple of Kali, Vishakaha museum, war memorial and the statues of eminent personalities. Not to miss the list of resturants, cafes and street food like bhajias and churmuri, along with some beautiful parks. Some pics







The Indian Navy has installed I.N.S. Kurusura, a decommissioned submarine, on the sands of the Ramakrishna beach as a museum. First of its kind in Asia, it is aimed at creating awareness among the public about how submarines work during wartime and how crew members normally operate it.

Day 2

Today we plan our trip to Arakku, see the Borra caves, Chaparai waterfalls and dinner at Paradise restaurant in Gajuwaka.

Araku Valley is situated about 112 km from our place and Borra caves 90 kms enroute Arakku. So early morning after breakfast we start, its around 4 hr drive on single laned roads. Good traffic on this route. There are trains also like the Vizag-Kirandul train which starts at 7 and reaches Arakku by 10:45am. (approx 4hrs). Heard that there are around 46 tunnels in this route and it would be an experience.

The caves are located in the midst of the Gosthani river and rock formations may be millions of years old, its huge and is illumined with coloured lights as its too dark inside. The stalagcities and stalagmites are beautiful, much so speaking about their natural formation over the years....The caves are 300ft and spread over a square km. It is believed that the river flow is the reason for the cave formation, over the years. The beauty of the place is beyond words....Let the pictures speak more..

Ticket counter


What to see around


Entry


Rules and regulations on the ticket


History of Borra caves


The walk


The caves












The Chaparai waterfalls is another amazing place to see here.

The parking and entry






The water flows here in a slope which can be enjoyed as a slide, and ofcourse many were having a wonderful time...







And the most wonderful way to end the day is dinner at paradise

Day 3

Visit Simhachalam temple and Dolphin nose

The Simhachalam temple is 16 kms away, the shrine has a beautifully carved 16-pillar Natya mantapa and a 96-pillar kalyana mantapa. Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy was covered in a thick layer of sandalwood paste, as it is done for most part of the year. There is a huge parking in the complex.







Dolphin nose


There are some really beautiful beaches in the area. But hardly could find any shacks or eating joints here. The beaches are neat, and one can even see the fishermen fishing in the sea.











And that brings the end to the beautiful city. Shooping one can head to Lepakshi, which has a good collection of Cherial scrolls and Kalamkari material. The best time to visit would be winters, as summers would be too hot and humid.