Mandarmani

It was on an official trip that we decided to take a short break at a Mandarmani beach. A taxi ride of about 4 hours took us from Kolkata airport to our destination. My husband and I checked in at a resort at the beachfront. It was already sunset by the time we were settled in. 
So many families were staying at the resort. It was a lively weekend atmosphere. Kids were playing in the swimming pool with their parents watching from the lawn nearby. Adults were chatting over colourful glasses of drinks and snacks. 
We decided to take a stroll along the beach and imbibe the pleasant evening. This was a Saturday evening, we had the Sunday too and on Monday we would be going back. So, it was better not to waste any time. 
Mandarmani turned out to be a long stretch of serene and quiet beach... a sort of a virgin land where the din and noise of the city had not yet intruded. The white foam of the gentle waves of Bay of Bengal playfully touched the sands of the shore. The distant clouds in the horizon, the orange hues of sunset, the cool breeze against our skin, the few fishing boats homebound with their day's catch lent an atmosphere of being held warmly in Mother Nature's arms. 
There were only a few stalls along the beach which were selling fried fish and some mementos. We sat down in one and had coconut water and fried pomfret. We also bought some keychains with small wooden carvings depicting rural life. One or two autoricshaws came offering us to show around the village but we decided to enjoy the leisurely walk instead. 
Back at the resort, the atmosphere had somewhat changed. Loud music, colourful disco lights, young couples, laughing children running around shifted the focus from one of tranquility to that of coziness... the city way! 
We decided to check out the menu for dinner. 
The resort boasted of a beautifully decorated restaurant with the menu comprising of a variety of seafood and other items. We decided to try their fish and prawns. It was so delicious that nothing could have been a better closure to a long and eventful day. 
We got up early the next day deciding to explore the village a bit. After enjoying the complimentary breakfast, we set out for the beach again. This time we took an autorickshaw and asked him to take us to the nearby lighthouse and park. On the way, we saw the local livelihood where people demarcated plots of land to dry their catch of fish for preservation and onward transportation to markets. Though the smell of fish was in the air, it was not offensive, rather, it reminded one of a sense of purpose of going about the business of living in whatever form life serves it to us! 
We reached the lighthouse but could not climb it as the chowkidar had not arrived yet. So, our driver took us to the sea side park which was beautifully designed with various statues of sea themes. We took some photographs for memories as memories are what makes life beautiful!! 
We came back to our resort. It was time for lunch and we enjoyed another course of seafood delights. After that, a short siesta followed by a pleasant evening tea in our balcony watching the kids playing in the pool again wrapped up the day for a middle aged couple! 
We set out early the next morning to catch our flight back home. The memories of Mandarmani have remained till today.. soft, quiet, lovely and so true... not loud and pretentious like so many other retreats. 

Memchoubi Phanjoubam

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