I crawled into the car after my daughter Nirjhorini, mentally checking whether all the necessities had been stowed inside the luggage bag. The bag seemed a bit bulgy for a single night's trip, but in a journey involving my five-year-old, drawing books, crayon sets, and dolls were a must in addition to the usual stuff like clothes, slippers, medicines, raincoats and umbrellas. Nirjhorini's breakfast, mid morning meal and lunch filled up their respective Tupperware or steel tiffin boxes and awaited in a cloth bag for their turn. My husband Subha drove steadily through the highway and village roads and succeeded in reaching Shankarpur by early noon.
On approaching the hotel, we got an expansive view of the sea swelling and soaring and pouncing on the whitish sand. Soon after lunch we settled on the cement seats grooving a certain stretch of the beach. Swooning us with their strength and timelessness, the waves rose, wrapped themselves with foam and blended with the white meshed water embracing the sand.
At the onset of evening, we trotted through a clump of pines and eucalyptuses, the growing darkness swathing us and unnoticed pine cones arching our feet. Walking away from the shade of trees, we traced the foamy outline of the crashing waves, the water channeling between our toes and the deep roar of the sea sweeping over our senses. Unlike most beaches I had been too in recent years, the Shankarpur seashore was studded with seashells. Delighted at their variety, shapes and colors, Nirjhorini squatted down to pick them. I joined her too, reliving childhood memories, when any trip to the seaside meant a considerable addition to my container of shells back home. We stood in the sea, the advancing waves splashing against our legs and drenching our clothes. It sprayed at our eager eyes and leaped into our unconsciously wide smiles. Whenever the water receded, we felt a unique and slightly ticklish sensation under our feet as if the sand was shifting from where we stood. However, we had to take a few swift steps backwards as the thrust of the sea was scaring our daughter. As the darkness thickened, we returned to the hotel, a cool breeze messing up our hair and the seashells clattering in our packets. Nirjhorini craved to be with her crayons and me with the bottle of Vodka.
The next morning, me and Subha took turns to bathe in the sea as one of us had to stay away from the water with Nirjhorini. Subha had a whale of a time, frolicking in the sea. When my turn came, I tiptoed between the seashells, taking care not to crush them or prick my bare feet and waded slowly into the tumbling waves. I sprawled on the bed of wet sand, clinging to one of the scattered rocks to ensure that I am not washed away. Then I stared at the sky, layers after layers of foam flecked water enveloping me, relieving me of the heat and stress and the nag of unfulfilled wishes, ushering me into the realm of unchallenged bliss.
Before heading for Kolkata, we took a peek at Digha. The waves were much smaller and the crowded sea beach lacked the serenity of Shankarpur. However, we fulfilled the purpose of our visit by treating ourselves to delicious fish curries in Purbasha restaurant. The pomfret fish curry Subha had ordered, won our taste buds with just the right amount of sweetness, spiciness and salt. After being polished off from the plate, the thick gravy continued to garnish our thoughts concerning food and happiness and remained as the perfect coating to the memories of the trip.
Marvellous writing boudimoni..... Keep it up god bless you 😊
ReplyDeleteIs this Bunti? Thanks for finding the time to read it. I am delighted that you liked the writing.
DeleteThe vlog sparked my memories of shankarpur trip when i was 7!! Your writing skill is really admirable!! Appreciate your vlog.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I am so happy that my blog was able to spark fond memories in you. May I know your name please?
DeleteAwesome
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! May I know your name please?
DeleteReally enjoyed reading this travelogue. Shankarpur and Tajpur both are serene sea beaches where one can really unwind and rejuvinate. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you enjoyed reading the travelogue. I would love to know who it is if you don't mind mentioning.
DeleteGreat travelogue! Genuinely beautiful description of scenery thought s and feeling s
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I would love to know from whom this lovely comment came.
DeleteA siothing path traversed through words
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for finding the time to read it. I love the poetic temper of your comment.
DeleteGot hit by nostalgia after reading this,also willing to take writing skill classes from you.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big compliment! Thanks a lot!
DeleteI cannot recall when was the last time i read such a mellifluous travelogue. Absolutely mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for finding the time to read it. I am so happy that you enjoyed it.
DeleteDaarun daarun.. keep writing more and more !!!! Keep going to more trips!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for finding the time to read it. I will certainly travel to more places and write about them.
DeleteSuch a good read! Loved how you have aptly put your thoughts regarding the lip smacking food at purbasha into words!��
ReplyDeleteThanks.I am delighted that you liked the portion about the food.
DeleteGood read.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWow!! Such beautifully presented.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the appreciation.
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