Beyond Bhubaneswar’s bustle lies Gopalpur, a quaint town in
Ganjam renowned for its pristine coastline. While Puri is famous for its lively
beaches, Gopalpur offers a contrasting experience by providing visitors all the
pleasures of a private beach. A three-hour drive from the state capital, this
place with its charming small-town vibes is an idyllic getaway for people looking
to escape the chaotic city life.
In January, my wife and I decided to go on a trip to
Gopalpur with our five-month-old son. While she had been cooped up taking care
of the baby, added responsibilities at home after office hours had started
weighing down on me. Paying no heed to our anxious family members who were against
travelling with a newborn, we eventually hit the road. To our surprise, the
experience turned out to be refreshingly fun. As we cruised on the smooth and
picturesque National Highway-16, we realised that roads can be just as exciting
as the destinations.
We made a halt at Tampara, a beautiful freshwater lake near
Chhatrapur. Since it was late in the afternoon, we resisted the temptation of taking
a boat ride. But the pleasant weather beckoned us to unwind and breathe in some
lakeside tranquillity of the location. We even treated our taste buds to some delectable
seafood.
The sun was about to go down when we arrived at Pramod
Land’s End, a resort where both nature and luxury coexist. As its name
suggests, the hotel sits on the coastal fringe where Gopalpur meets the Bay of Bengal. We hurriedly checked in and took a stroll
along the walkway which led us directly to a private beach. As we stepped onto the vast expanse of sand and
sea, uninterrupted solitude and serenity greeted us.
Back in the sprawling resort, unashamed luxury awaited us. Spacious
rooms with access to private pool, elegant decor, wide range of culinary
delights and most importantly the staff who went out of the way to make our
baby comfortable, we were really pampered and cared for like royalty. With our
hearts full we retreated to our bed, where the soothing melody of waves gently
washing ashore lulled us to sleep.
Having enjoyed a mighty breakfast spread arranged by the
resort the next morning, we went around marvelling at the beauty of the
location – all the while posing with our son for pictures which the hotel staff
happily obliged to click for us. Soaking in the morning sun while making
memories made us realise how much we needed this break. Feeling rejuvenated, we
embarked on our return journey ready to conquer life as a family of three.
By Anup Nayak
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