Kappad Beach
Bandipur -> Wayanad -> Kozhikode -> Guruvayur -> Cochin -> Periyar
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We drove from Kalpetta to Kozhikode(or Calicut), stopping at Phookot Lake. The drive took us via coffee estates, farms growing beetlenut and pepper and stretches of forest. It was a winding road on nearly flat ground, with green stretches on either side. Then, as if suddenly the earth collapsed and gave away, the road opened into a steep and deep incline, giving us wide and open views of the Kerala’s coastal plains. To both side of the road were steep hills covered with thick evergreen forest that rose from the plains. The place, called Lakkidi ghat, marks the point where the western ghats make way to the lower regions. We stopped here for sometime to relish the views of those plains contrasting with mountains.
The drive to the plains was slow and easy, taking us through inclines and steep curves along badly maintained roads. Once in the plains, there was remarkable change in the weather, with temperature and humidity moving up to a level of minor discomfort. It was nearly an hour’s drive from here to Kozhikode, where we had our lunch. Since we had no other plans for rest of the day, we decided to drive up to the beach as early as 2.30pm.
Kozhikode does not have an impressive beach, but has a beautiful marine drive. We decided to drive aimlessly up north and look around for a good spot. The drive took us through traffic free roads with fishermen’s houses all along. We could smell fish all the way during the drive, and could see people working with their nets or the fish they had caught during the day. A 20 minutes drive and we saw the signs leading to Kappad beach, and headed that way.
At Kappad in the evening
It was 3pm, hot and sunny when we got there, so we parked and just waited for an hour. Around 4, small bits of clouds started covering up the sun and it was a good time to get out relax in the beach. The beach has a rock formation on one side and stretches endlessly on the other end. Beach shore is short and quickly gives way to soil in a 20 meter span. The sea here is deep, and you can’t go far into the water beyond few meters. A few moss covered rocks are scattered here and there which provide a distinct contrast to rest of the beach side. It is a beautiful beachside and we spent rest of the evening relaxing sitting on the rocks or the sand, occasionally getting into the water, and the watching the sun drowning far away in the horizon.
Around 7pm, we had a good dinner in nearby Kappad Beach Resort and headed further down towards Kochin. We drove till 11pm, and exhausted after a long day well spent, checked into a hotel to spend rest of the night.
About Kappad Beach
The beach is situated a short drive from Kozhikoda(or Calicut), and is a good place spend an evening. It is well connected by public transport from the town, or you can hire an auto-rickshaw to drop you here.
It is not much of a wide beach – sand gives away quickly into the soil. And the water is deep and you can’t spend much time or go far into the water. But it is a beautiful beach nevertheless and is good for spending some time relaxed.
The only accommodation nearby is Kappad Beach Resort. It seems to be a good place to stay, and we found it to be more or less empty while we were there. Kozhikode town has plenty accommodation of at different levels.
To be continued..