There’s one thing that I miss more than anything about Australia — the beautiful clean beaches. I’m a beach person. I don’t sit there for hours and sun bake, or even swim. I go to the beach to relax and recharge myself.
I just returned home after a couple of days in Melbourne, where I spent quite a bit of time at this suburban beach. The sand was soft. There were very few people, and no rubbish or excrement. To me, it was bliss!
I unrolled my beach mat in the shade under the pier and slept there for a while. The rhythmic sound of the waves hitting the shoreline washed calmness over me. I awoke feeling so peaceful.
In the morning, my friend and I took her dog for a walk along the beach. It’s a daily routine that he adores. He spent the whole time frolicking in the water, while we ambled along chatting to the other dog owners, and looking at all the jelly fish that had been washed up onto the sand.
I used to visit the beach often when I lived in Melbourne. It was my favourite way of de-stressing. Sometimes after work, I’d grab a pizza or fish and chips, and have my dinner there. Other times, I’d simply lay there and listen to the waves.
In Mumbai, I was fortunate to live near Aksa beach. My husband and I even went there for sunrise once. Mumbai’s inner city beaches are far from tranquil though. Juhu Beach constantly looks like carnival scene, with its monkeys, cows, vendors, and children’s rides. On a Sunday, we enjoy having brunch at Vie Deck and Lounge before immersing ourselves in the action. It somewhat satisfies my craving for the beach!
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
An almost empty beach at Melbourne? No rubbish? No excrement? No one coming up to ask if he could have friendship with you?
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
Yes, no, no, and especially NO!!
I gotta admit, Australia is a beautiful place. I love its natural beauty.
India has so much beauty too (probably even more beauty than Australia), it’s just that it’s sometimes hard to see it for all the people!! In Australia, one has to look hard to see the people.
I second that!!! Australia has immense natural beauty. Though not many historical sites like old palaces, buildings etc. like England, India or even the Continent. Its does have well-maintained historical Aboriginal sites. If you like beaches so much, then Sharell, you must visit ( with your husband of course) the Puri beach. There are other notable not so well known beaches in your husband’s home state of Orissa, which can almost be called pristine, especially Chandi Beach near BALASORE. I am sure your husband’s family will know of others
That sounds like a great idea, Vandana.
I’m wanting to visit Orissa more and more. Hopefully, I’ll finally get there next year. I’ve heard that it’s necessary to go further along Puri beach to enjoy it though, because it’s rather polluted right near the city?
Ah that beautiful beach we walked along only a day ago was a picture of bogan ruin this morning. Nothing like a hot summers day to bring out the best of the ugly Australian! I managed to cram 2 bags full of their litter and had to leave plenty behind! I must say though no excrement, that was a bonus lol!
India thousands of years ago was so beautiful that its beauty created so many artists, poets, architects, etc. People used to worship nature and they still do. Well I am a big fan of the natural surroundings and that makes me a worshipper too. If a tree is chopped, 10 more should be planted.
Oh no! Curse those ferals!
Lou, you’d better provide a definition of “bogan” for the non-Aussie readers to help them learn some slang (and about the kind of Australian they should avoid).
I agree wid u Vandana.Puri beach is a beauty!I just luv it!I’ve been 2 Juhu-Chowpatty in Mumbai,Andaman & Nicobar islands,Dwarka,Pondicherry,etc.etc. but sumhow,dey r not 1 bit lyk Puri!Chandi beach is also a nice one,is less populated as compared 2 Puri beach.
Those are pretty pictures. Thanks for sharing them. The picture on the right is so deserted. Well, I guess that’s the way it should be. There’s got to be some difference in the beaches here and there.
Oh and when do you come back? We miss you in India!
Go to Chandipur beach in Orissa. Its exactly like the one you described…..very few people, no excrement ….just pure bliss
. The waves are gentle and in low tide you can easily walk and sit 1 mile from the beach into the ocean.
I miss the super clean beaches that we used to go to while living in the Middle East… they take the prize of cleanest beach I’ve ever been!
We did find a beach near us that’s pretty darn decent… yay!
Sury, that beach totally sounds like bliss! Imagine if I like it there so much, I tell my husband I want to stay in Orissa!
Oh what a wonderful question Sharell……
What is a bogan?
BOGAN (pronunciation boe-gn) is a term used primarily in Australia to describe a particular section of the working class demographic. This derogatory slang word is a gender-neutral noun; this being important as many bogans tend to gravitate towards one another forming relationships and extended families.
So now we have a basic understanding of the bogan, we may delve further into the mysterious world of mullets (type of hair style worn by bogan males) and long-kneck beer bottles in brown paper bags. Traits of the bogan can be summarised by the following points:
• A pronounced lack of dress sense in social situations.
• A lack of personal hygiene.
• Distinct vocabulary. Every sentence is littered with profanities.
• A particular choice in motor vehicle. The bogan usually drives one of two makes of vehicle. Typically this is either a Holden or a Ford.
• Choice in music. The bogan prefers either metal or pub rock.
• Employment status. The common bogan is either a) not employed or b) a tradesman/labourer.
• A poorly-maintained house or unit.
They also tend to drink heavily in public places. Their choice of alcohol usually consists of VB beer or burbon and coke (nicknamed bogan and coke) thus leading to loud and very uncouth behaviour.
Hope this helps identify the bogan Australian where ever they may lurk.
I guess every country has their share of Bogans then!..in here we have a plenty!
Haha! That pretty much sums up the bogan.
They really are a special class of Australian.
Here are a couple of fine Aussie bogans (including the infamous mullet hairstyle — long at the back and short at the front)
http://www.bogan.com.au/photos/albums/3/Bogan%20brett.jpg
http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/uploads/westie.jpg
Viksdes, is there a term for the Indian equivalent?
I am also one of those who loves serene beaches. Being a Mumbai guy, I spent much of my life near sea and loved it.
Its always an amazement to be on the kind of beaches that you mention…and for Mumbaikars…I can suggest you go on the beaches 200kms away from Mumbai, towards Goa, on the West Maharashtra coast, on a weekday-night
They may not be as blue as Auz but still clean and less less crowded, if not lonely.
http://blog.kiranghag.com/2009/11/ride-to-hedvi.html
dont know, my friends and me call them ‘the elements’, they are normally LOud people, they might even wear sunglasses in dark and drive expensive cars honking and swirling around the traffic on petite indian streets..they will jump queues and could be seen pssing on the road side..they keep us from moving forward. Well we dont want to start of another debate on this now..
Hi Kiran, thanks for the tip!
It looks like you had an amazing adventure on the bike (and were lucky to return unscathed!).
I’ve been wanting to visit Ganpatipule on the Maharastran coast for a while. I’ll try and check out some of the other beaches too.
Viksdes, we call those “cashed-up bogans”.
Bogans with money! Infamous Aussie cricketer Shane Warne is a well known one.
well well..it should be abt class..not all with money have it..sigh! wish we had clean beaches, beautiful roads, less politician staring billboards, less bogans and more of people with heart.
@Viksdes- Who says we (?) don’t have people with hearts?
Shane warne is a bogan? What about David Boon? Talking about Cricket, I am waiting for India to beat Sri Lanka in the ODI’s. Victory to Yuvraj singh and the fellas.
Hi Sharell,
I think, I am the only person here who have not seen a beach. My mom loves beaches…
I want to share something with you, today is my Birthday.. While writing this I am attending phone calls. Hope this year will be good for me. Please do pray for me..
Ah, Boonie isn’t really a bogan I don’t think (although many bogans admire him). There’s a fine line between “bogan” and “Aussie bloke”.
He’s well known for his drinking, but it’s balanced out with decent enough values.
Happy Birthday Aakanksha!! I certainly hope that the year ahead will be successful and rewarding for you! Hopefully, one day, you mum will take you to see the beach too.
I had doubts Boon wasn’t one. The guy was a good cricket player. I’d say one of the best. I saw an interview of his with Ian Botham, and he looked like a decent chap, and he’s a big fan of beer.
Thanks Sharell!
I do want this year to be good…
Why didn’t I see this earlier? Happy Birthday Aakanksha!
Sharell, heard of the Gokarna beach? It’s very close to Murudeshwar and attracts tourists from all over the world, mostly Europe. Finding topless women sunbathing or swimming is a very common sight.
One of the few quality beaches in the country.
Why didn’t I see this earlier? Happy Birthday Aakanksha!
Me too!
Sounds like a quality beach from an Indian male’s perspective!
Actually, there are number of beaches at Gokarna. The most well known one is “Om”.
Actually, there are number of beaches at Gokarna. The most well known one is “Om”.
Ah Well, so you know about it!
It’s my job to know these things.
It’s my job to know these things.
Great, so here’s my first question for you!
Am planning a quiet New Years this time in Khandala. Know any good budget hotels (Rs.1000-1500 per night) there or in Lonavala? Would be happy to get some help from other readers too.
Ah, but I’m on vacation at the moment!
Check out Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g608474-Lonavla_Maharashtra-Hotels.html
Hopefully some other readers will be able to give you a personal recommendation or two!
Amit Kumar, Dude, use Google. That’s what most of us would use to answer you anyways.
Or try Cleartrip dot com. My favorite!
Amit Kumar, Dude, use Google. That’s what most of us would use to answer you anyways.
I tried that option, without much success. Good budget hotels are a difficult find on the net. I managed to find a couple, but not convinced about the location and the quality of service. The last thing I want is a ruined vacation!
Or try Cleartrip dot com. My favorite!
Luxury resorts are a prerogative of the rich, Ramit.
I’ll need to work for another 4-5 years to afford the hotels mentioned!
Ah, but I’m on vacation at the moment!
Enjoy the vacation to the fullest!
Check out Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g608474-Lonavla_Maharashtra-Hotels.html
Good resource. Thank You very much.
Hopefully some other readers will be able to give you a personal recommendation or two!
Other readers, listening?
For a while I thought Ramit and Amit were brothers until I realized that they were brother in laws.
For a while I thought Ramit and Amit were brothers until I realized that they were brother in laws.
IA, now don’t sound like Indian Airlines!
Amit saab, you got me laughing now. I’ll quit joking.
But you gotta admit the guys funny. Give him his due!
Australia has the best beaches…my cousin is lucky…she lives in Perth