Gokarna - On a Full moon night

“Waking up to the same routine day in and day out, my life seemed to pass me by.”

I didn’t want my birthday to pass just like an another day of my life. 

It started with a 12 hours journey in sleeper bus from Bangalore. Bus reached Gokarna by 8:00 am. Buzzing autos were there to take people to different beaches. Before starting my own experience, let me give a glimpse about Gokarna.

Gokarna is a small temple town in the coastline of North Karnataka. People also call it “Goa of Karanataka”.  It has got four main beaches.

1)      Om Beach

2)      Kudle Beach

3)      Half moon Beach

4)      Paradise Beach

Our plan was to stay in Om beach and trek to Kudle Beach, Half moon Beach, Paradise Beach. After half an hour drive in hill, auto reached Namaste café in Om beach. After reaching Namaste café only, we got to know that Half Moon beach and Paradise beach were prohibited due to monsoon. With little disappointment, we occupied our room. Room was neat and the location was just awesome.

Mesmerizing view from top of the cliff

After a lazy breakfast in Namaste café restaurant facing sea, we started trekking to Kudle beach. To reach kudle beach, we had to trek and cross a rocky cliff. While trekking, you will find lot of good view points. One such is shown on right. Lush green trek trails and mesmerizing view from top of the cliff was blissful.

"Its the journey that matters not the destination"
After taking a short break enjoying the view, we continued our trek to Kudle. I swore it was such an awesome experience to trek through jungles to reach another beach. As I heard from my friend that Half-moon beach trek trail was tougher than Kudle beach's. I felt like coming back to Gokarna again just to experience the Halfmoon beach trek.

Relishing the childhood in me

Kudle beach - What a pristine beach!!! Hardly people were there. I felt as if I have my very own private beach. The sparkling sea water washed my feet. I had literally gone back to my childhood.

As it started to drizzle, we went to a beach shack to have some drink. After an hour, we started to trek back to our stay. Again while trekking back too, we stopped at those view points to enjoy those captivating views.

We decided to go to Om beach during sun set, so that we could have some good sleep. At around 5:30, we went to Om beach.

Om Beach named for its shape

Om beach is named for its shape, as you could see from the pic. We spent a lazy evening walking along the shore and sitting in the small rocks near the shore.

Haven't I told you earlier about Half moon beach trek trails? Half moon beach is in the other side of the cliff shown in the pic.  


“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, your eyes sparkling, your heart filled with content and your mind filled with best stories - The Traveller”

Source - Google

After a tasty dinner in Namaste cafe, we started watching movie in our room. 

In the night around 10 pm, I felt like going out and having some time directly under stars. When we went to Om beach, Namaste café was on the verge of closing. Few couples were having photo shoot on a rock together. Few guys were savoring the last bit of their marijuana rolled cigarette.

We were sitting in the small rock near shore at 11’o clock, watching the serene beauty of sea, waves washing my feet, high tides hitting the cliff, calmness all around except for the rushing waves. I was lost in thought looking at the never ending sea and mind blowing moon. It was a full moon night!

Just sitting and gazing at the endless end gave me so much warmth on my birthday. Moon peeping out of the clouds to wish me a Big day on my birthday. It was a dream come true moment to have been in a beach on a full moon night.

I was really happy to have chosen Gokarna on an off season. As deep in heart, all I wanted was a secluded place away from people. Gokarna gave me the best birthday.

My birthday can never get better. It is one of such birthday well spent.

“I was thinking that travel is all about seeing lot of places and having lot of activities to do. This Gokarna trip has changed that mindset. Travel can get better even with just getting lost somewhere where you can all be yourself and live just for yourself.”

Month of Trip       - Aug'15
No of days of trip - 2 days