The most random trip I ever made was to the Diamond Harbor Resort Punyalakshmi. It felt like the other
day, I was chatting with my friend and casually proposed an outing and voila,
our mother’s made it come true. Thus, five of us set off on an exciting journey
last Sunday to Diamond Harbor with great expectations from the place and hopes
of getting our heads into some wild adventures (which sadly did not happen!).
We set out at 7:30 am on a
beautiful (and not so sunny Sunday morning) to greet our destination. We had
gone on a package tour, and I must add here that the staff knew how to take
care of their guests. After a very warm welcome and breakfast, we went ahead
with exploring the place.
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| PATHWAYS INSIDE THE RESORT |
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| PATHWAYS LINED BY VILLA |
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| A STATUE |
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| BRIDGE LEADING TO A VILLA |
Punyalakshmi is a very beautiful and most
importantly open resort. It overlooks the Ganges at such proximity which I have
never seen or felt in the other water-side resorts I have been to in my life. The
resort itself has a variety of rooms and cottages to make everyone’s stay happy
and comfortable. In fact an extension work was in progress when I visited.
The playground was occupied by children and
teenagers both. The swings, see-saws and the slip were temptations enough to
engage everyone for a long time. Once in a while kids even brought in water to
make sand castles which ultimately did not formulate and they left feeling
irritated but finding something else to engage them soon after.
The well maintained lawns saw many a footballs
trampling it. If not footballs then many pairs of feet who were either
peacefully crossing it, or posing in front of the camera for a group photograph
or else playing badminton. Some were more interested in clicking pictures of the
flowers and bushes that lines the lawn. I tried chasing a yellow-orange
butterfly for at least thirty minutes before I finally gave up pretty disheartened.
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| SWIMMING POOL |
The swimming pools were a special feature of the
resort. Being available from 7 am in the morning right till 8 pm, both the adult
and the children’s pool were engaged by the guests throughout the day.
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| VIEW FROM THE RESORT |
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| MEN AT WORK |
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| ROWS OF BOATS |
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| MEN AT WORK |
The best part of the resort, however, was the
benches placed overlooking the Ganges. The cool and fresh air, the never ending
waters, lush greenery and rows of streamers, cargo ships, boats and occasionally
men doing something really important (though I could not figure out what ) near
the river banks; were sights that were common and could engage one for hours in
the end. In fact the Kolkata Port Trust had set up regular streamer facilities
for daily commuters. In fact many of the small fishermen boats were also at
rent to be taken across the sea. Though my friend and I had the wild ideas of
trying both of them or either one at least, our puppy faces were returned with
those of a roaring tiger by our seniors and our adventurous plans went for a toss in the Ganga
waters.
We were told that near the resort was an old English
fort which was now in ruins. I was extremely excited and curious to see the
fort. But sadly, all I saw was a chunk of old brick peeking its head out from
the waters. That was all that was left of the huge fort. Instead what intrigued
me was a goat kid that was wondering near the shore.
No one knew when time flew by and we found ourselves
sitting in the restaurant for lunch. Lunch in this resort was an elaborate affair.
Ranging right from salads, roti’s, flavored rice to mutton, chicken, Chinese, fish
and chutneys, sweets and ice creams for desserts. And yes all cooked to
perfection!
After lunch, it was time to laze around the Ganges
water banks. I found a nice and comfy seat and settled with my camera and started talking to my friend. We saw numerous streamers and boats pass by and also an occasional
bird which we were sometimes lucky enough to capture through our lenses.
Soon, it was time to leave. By six the place became
dark and lanterns were lit up in the lawn and the garden areas. The resort
looked prettier. In fact, the reflections of these lights falling on the Ganges
made the river look like a prettily dressed up bride. It felt really sad
leaving the place. But I left it with great memories and a promise of being
back again in the future- maybe with family or maybe with friends (to try our
luck in those unaccomplished adventurous plans of ours) . . . . . . . .
