Fun in the winter sun

by HOWARD ROBIN

INDIAN BEACHES OFFER VISITORS GOLDEN SANDS, TASTY CUISINE AND WATER SPORTS

WHETHER it’s lazing on a sun-kissed beach in Goa, swimming in the cerulean waters of the Andaman Islands or bask­ing in the glorious sunsets of Kerala, taking a winter break in sunny climes could be just what the doctor ordered.

In fact, there may be sound medical reasons why so many people feel the need to escape dreary weather in the fi­nal month of the year. Scientists have found that shorter daylight hours in De­cember and January make our bodies produce more of the sleep hormone me­latonin, causing lethargy and triggering depression in some people.

When you add to the mix the extra do­mestic pressure some people feel over Christmas and the fact that schools and many offices are closed for an extended period, it’s little wonder so many are keen to chase off those winter blues by getting away from it all in the sun.

Fortunately, there are accessible parts of the world that enjoy their best weather at this time of year and are relatively cheap as well once you get there. In fact, the cost of living can be a lot less in many long-haul destinations than it is close to hand in Europe.

Consider this – you can eat a delicious meal with drinks at a beachside restau­rant in Goa for less than a tenner while the equivalent in Ibiza would cost three times as much.

So here is a list of some of the best beach places in India to escape the win­try chills over Christmas and New Year. These holidays can be combined with the idea of catching up with family and friends in the subcontinent.

And remember, it’s best to book well in advance for flights and accommoda­tion as prices tend to rise the closer it gets to Christmas.

GOA

India’s smallest state boasts an astonish­ing 105 kilometres of coastline with an abundance of beautiful beaches to choose from. Not surprisingly it remains hugely popular with European tourists. In fact, the Christmas and New Year peri­od is the busiest of the year in Goa, so it’s advisable to book your hotel way in ad­vance. Whether you plump for the south, centre or north of Goa, idyllic sands, lap­ping waves and vibrant beach shacks selling delicious food lie in wait.

Goa has quite a few beach locations to help you find the perfect spot for a holi­day. They include:

Morjim & Ashvem: These stunning and relatively wild beach expanses are locat­ed in the north of Goa. In fact, Morjim was recently awarded sixth best beach in India in the Travellers’ Choice awards. Not only will you find long stretches of sands, but the ocean here is home to the famous Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Anjuna & Vagator: Anjuna is famous for its weekly flea market, but head down to the sea and you will discover a host of idyllic curving beaches set in a romantic and picturesque backdrop with vividly glowing sunsets.

Baga: Once colonised by hippies, Baga is now one of the most popular and bus­tling resorts in the state. With its vast ex­panses of golden sands, beach shacks selling delicious food and colourful fish­ing boats, it has become a mecca for in­ternational travellers as well as being popular with Indian tourists. Visitors can swim in the warm ocean waters, sun­bathe or enjoy an array of water sports. If you enjoy revelling into the wee hours, visit Goa’s most celebrated nightclub, Ti­to’s, or simply stay on the beach and be entertained by fire eaters and jugglers.

Candolim: Located between the bustling resorts of Calangute and Baga and af­fording easy access to them, more tran­quil Candolim is the perfect place from which to explore the charming attrac­tions of Goa’s capital city Panjim with its fascinating cathedral. Popular with Brit­ons, Candolim’s soft sandy beach is decked out with wooden beach huts of­fering sun loungers and parasols for hire, plus the chance to try local culinary spe­cialities like fish curry or enjoy a chilled Kingfisher beer.

Sinquerim: Regarded as one of the finest beaches in Goa, Sinquerim is especially popular with water sports enthusiasts for the opportunity to water-ski, para-sail, fish, scuba dive and windsurf. Alterna­tively, you can just swim to your heart’s content in the gently lapping waters. This exquisite expanse of sand is peaceful and tranquil – perfect for lazing away the day and is replete with great hotels and res­taurants. If you’re into history, take the opportunity to visit Aguada Fort, a well-preserved 17th century Portuguese cita­del built to repel seaborne invaders.

KERALA

Serene and beautiful, this slender coastal strip boasts 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast, offering a great alternative to Goa. Some of the beaches remain rela­tively deserted while others are full of ac­tion and bustle. The climate is at its best between December and March.

Kovalam: This is Kerala’s best known re­sort, having sprung to fame in the late 1960s as a hippie-trail gateway to Sri Lanka, turning what had been a laid back fishing village into one of the most fa­mous tourist spots in India.

It has two main tourist beaches, both located near the capital Thiruvananthapuram. The most frequented is Light­house beach, named after the red and white stone, 118-ft-high Vizhinjam Light­house whose beams give an ethereal glow to the night sky. Kovalam is also the larger beach, boasting a bustling prome­nade lined with outdoor restaurants.

Eve’s Beach, better known as Hawa beach, got its name because it was popu­lar with topless bathers though this is now largely banned. Its heritage as a fishing village is still apparent, especially early in the day when the quaint boats set off to make their catches. Calm azure waters make this a picturesque paradise.

Varkala beach: Noted for its water-spouting cliffs overlooking the Arabian sea, Varkala is also known for drawing pilgrims to its ancient Janardana Swami temple. It is said that to immerse yourself in the clear blue waters cleanses away all sins. The beach is also a magnet for bathers, water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers or couples in love who simply wish to enjoy its glorious sunsets.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS

Pristine blue waters, silky sands, pictur­esque huts and cottages and adventur­ous water sports conspire to make the Andaman Islands – located in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar – the ideal winter getaway.

Radhangar beach, on the west coast of Havelock Island, has been ranked as the seventh best beach in the world by Time magazine. Its turquoise sea, powdery white sands and lush palm groves are es­pecially captivating at sunrise and sunset when the sky turns a fiery orange. As well as offering great swimming and sunbath­ing, visitors are afforded an array of wa­ter sports including snorkelling and scu­ba diving as well as big game fishing.

Other notable resorts include Elephant beach, noted for its serenity, deep blue waters, sparkling sands and stunning coral reefs; and Wandoor, gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park, a mecca for nature lovers, scuba divers and glass-bottomed boat trippers, who come to gaze at the exquisite coral for­mations and water fauna.