St. Mary's Island, Udupi, Karnataka, India

St. Mary's Island

After meeting and fighting with the Arabian sea at Pennambur beach, Mangalore, we came to Udupi. Our destination was Malpe beach. Malpe beach is a nice, clean and a well mannered place.

Malpe Beach

But obviously you are going to be blessed with the scenic beauty of  "jangia party"(Jangia, bengali for underwear) at any Indian beach. Those butt cracks playing peek-a-boo from the briefs and drawers really redefine "uncouth". But I have to give it, they did not misbehave. I mean those briefs did, not the men. But we concentrated on the water, the sky. Loved the name Malpe by the way.

Rare rock formation at St. Mary's Island

We stayed at Paradise hotel & resort. It seemed like the only hotel near Malpe beach. It is one of those type of places where there is a hotel, then a road and then the sand and then...The Sea. It reminded me a little bit of Puri, Odisha.

Paradise Isle Beach Resort

Please note, from time to time I felt like "Samantha in Abu Dhabi." How come those "jangia parties" always get a free ticket and I get the sideways glares!

St. Mary's Island - coconut trees waving and welcoming us

St. Mary's Island, a sheer happiness. From Malpe beach we took the boat. It takes 30 minutes to go to the island, but I realized, on sea time stands still. I do not know how people used go on voyages, and how even now people go on cruise!

According to folklore, Vasco da Gama first came to this island, planted a cross and gave it its name. And then he went to Calicut/Kozhikode.

Pristine beach @ the island

At St. Mary's on one side the sand is as fine as talcum powder but on the other side it was still in its shell form. This was the first time I saw a dead oyster shell beach. The whole experience was unique and mesmerizing.

There is not a grain of sand on the beach. Its all shells!!

According to sources, 88 million years ago this cluster of four islands was formed when Madagascar got detached from India. Was it a loss for India? Now how do I know, I have never been to Madagascar, did not even see the movie! But formation of St. Mary's Island is definitely a gain for India.

St. Mary's Island is also known as Coconut Island

Because of the mood swings of the earth 88 million years ago, hexagonal basalt columns were formed in the island. It is a rarity. Why these columns are created in hexagonal form? Why it has not become a single rock but a cluster of columns? The rules of nature as well as the freaky behaviour of it never stops to amaze me.

Hexagonal Basalt columns - Geology Rocks!

A treasure map

I am always gloating about floating through days and time. I am just a passerby on this earth, floating by! But the feeling of lying on the surface of the ocean gives a sense of freedom and peace not comparable to anything. There is someone I know who gives "floating on the ocean" lessons, it is free for the bikini clad beauties, or if you are a Monica Belucci lookalike or Miss Belucci herself!

Dead Sea

There was a very happy ending to our Udupi trip. We were waiting for our train at Udupi station. The man went on a search for food and came back with fried Bangda/Mackerel. The bestest mackerel we have ever tasted. At the station we also had onion vaji, aloo bondas and medu vadas. There we met a lovely couple from Bangalore. They went to Manipal to run a marathon. They saw my shameless munching and spontaneously gave me very useful tips for running. The lady actually won the marathon. Good advice she gave. But a heart wants what it wants - Fried Mackerel!

A painting at Coconut Island - close to my heart and my stomach

How to get to St. Mary's Island:
Ferry service is available from Malpe beach 300/- per head for to and fro. Visit to the island is restricted during the monsoons.

Must Try: 
Fried Mackerel, 
Chicken Kori Rotti, 
Chicken ghee roast,
Prawns Masala Dry Chutney.