Background: Since early 2020, International travel has been in limbo due to the !@#! COVID-19. With each country reacting differently to COVID-19, it has been difficult to do International trips. While waiting out COVID-19, I thought why not explore the regions of India I have not been to 🙂 As of August 2021, when this series of India trips started, I had already been to 19 major towns/cities (as an adult), which is nothing considering the size and diversity of the country.
The capital of Andhra Pradesh is a tad confusing. Visakhapatnam (“Vizag”), the largest city in Andhra Pradesh, was proposed to be the Executive Capital. But Amaravati (400+ kilometers away) was to be the Judicial and Legislative Capital. Not sure of the current status, as there has been legal challenges and protests.
Until 2014, the new state Telangana (in which the metro of Hyderabad is situated) was a part of Andhra Pradesh.
Telugu is the primary language of Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam is a major port city in India and is the Eastern Seaboard Command Center for Indian Navy.
Godavari is one of the mighty rivers of India. At many points, it is over 5 kilometers wide.
My experiences
About to land at Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ). Doesn’t the coastline look beautiful? Visakhapatnam (“Vizag”) has quite a few famous beaches.The surrounding hills surely gives the city a distinct personality. Overall, Vizag is quite green. At one time it was consistently ranked as one of the Top-10 cleanest cities in India.The modest main entrance to the Visakhapatnam International Airport. The only International flights is to/from Singapore, I believe.A regal Indian flag in full glory, right outside the Visakhapatnam International Airport.
To get to my hotel, which was near RK Beach, we had to go through the town …I was very disappointed with this sight. A man (Father?) on a scooter, with two small boys sitting precariously in the back! How irresponsible! That too, on the chaotic Indian roads.For dinner, as recommended by my colleague, I walked over to restaurant “Spicy Venue”. Seems like they have won quite a few awards.This was their menu that evening. They open for dinner at 7 PM IST and I had to wait for 10-15min as I arrived a bit early.“MLA Potlam Biryani”. Made with Mutton Kheema and Prawns, wrapped in a thin Omelet. It was a tad too much food for me 🙂 Try as I might, I could not complete it.By the time I was done, more and more people were coming in. The restaurant, from outside.The walk back to my hotel was quite pleasant. The central areas of the city, especially near the RK beach, has very nice roads with proper footpaths (which believe me, is not very common in India).Looks like people retire early in Visakhapatnam 🙂 This was around 8:30PM and the roads had a deserted look already.The area next to RK beach is a predominantly residential area and you can note the Bay of Bengal in the background.For 3hr every morning, the RK beach road is closed to traffic. Quite a lot of joggers and walkers are around at that time. I found a coffee shop that was open and had a cup of coffee while watching the locals go about their morning workout routines.Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command of Indian Navy and it shows … There were quite a few Navy ships out in the sea.As usual, I noticed that though there were regularly placed dust bins, there was a lot of trash on the road and footpath. Hmmm … How exactly can the Civic Sense of Indians be improved, I wonder. It boggles my mind that someone would choose to throw their trash on the road/footpath when there is a dustbin nearby.
How can a street be an Indian street without the ever-present stray dogs 🙂Naval ships in the horizon … @Sunrise.Visakhapatnam has a location to crave for. Countless beaches (pretty, but with definite scope for improvement w.r.t. cleanliness) and hills.As my friend joked when I complained about the trash on the road/footpath … I.e. “Lack of cleanliness”. He said: “See how clean the dustbin is!” 😉 LOL.@Sunrise.@Sunrise.Looking South … @RK Beach.The median looks nice. RK Beach Road, Visakhapatnam.In case you are in doubt as to where you are 🙂TU142 Aircraft Museum. Tupolev 142 is a Soviet/Russian reconnaissance aircraft.
“Victory at Sea” War Memorial. RK Beach. Dedicated to the India-Pakistan 1971 War.One last peek at the ships …One last peek at the ships …INS Kursura Submarine. It is a museum. I could not go inside due to schedule issues. I begged the guard to allow me inside so I could take a few snaps. He, correctly, shooed me away. It was in operation from 1969, till 2001.Entrance to the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, on RK Beach Road.I took this picture from outside the compound gate 🙂 Quite small propellers for such a big submarine.View of Bay of Bengal …Visakhapatnam Fish Market. It was bustling early in the morning. All the fishing boats were back and the fish was being sorted and sold.Frenetic activity at the Fish Market.Sorting out small crabs and fish (Not sure which kind) … That is a big catch of crabs. Hope the crab population can keep pace with the rate at which they are being consumed.
A colorful water tank near the Fish Market.View of the natural harbor from Ross Hill Church. As the name suggests, this Church is on a hill and offers decent views all around.View of the natural harbor from Ross Hill Church. As the name suggests, this Church is on a hill and offers decent views all around.The Church has a grotto area (Not natural), which is covered as you can see.A view of the Vizag Port from Ross Hill Church. You can note the conveyer belt system used by the Port.Ross Hill Church, Visakhapatnam.Ross Hill Church, Visakhapatnam.The long conveyer belt system used by the Vizag Port. It runs along the road.The “Visakhapatnam Port Trust” area is a “No drone. No photography” area. Guards and CCTV cameras are all over the place.On the way to Yarada Beach (just North of Vizag), you have to cross a hill, which is dominated by the huge Indian Navy Quarters/Campus. This entire area is very well maintained and has extensive security provisions. I liked this rock formation along the side of the road.
A view of Vizag city as we went over the hill.This is what I meant by very clean and well-maintained Indian Navy area.As we drive down the hill, one can see Yarada Beach off in the distance.Yarada Beach, from Dolphin Hill road.We had to cross a fishing village with narrow roads and I was surprised to note that it was a bus route.Passing through a fishing village near Yarada Beach.Passing through a fishing village near Yarada Beach.Some houses had a small store in front. Talk about a “short commute to work” 🙂Fishing village. Near Yarada Beach.A nice shot of Yarada Beach. It was quite devoid of crowds, that too on a long weekend. Not sure why.
Another view of Yarada Beach.The waves looked pretty rough. Clearly this spot was not a swimming-friendly one.Yarada Beach.Yarada Beach.Oh! Finally, some other people 🙂Even such a beautiful beach cannot escape the favorite pastime of tourists … Trashing 🙁Back through the fishing village.Another view of the layered rock formation … Dolphin Hills.Entrance to YS Rajashekara Reddy Park, which is close to the city center. YSR and his party, by the way, is very strong in this part of Andhra Pradesh. My driver told me that his party won almost unanimously in this region.A map of the YSR park.
It was quite nicely maintained.YSR park, Visakhapatnam.The park also had a statue of YSR.Nice walkways all around the park and there were quite a few couples in the park.Had lunch at Dakshin restaurant, attached to Hotel Daspalla.The menu … Was in the mood for some spice!Dakshin’s menu.Mutton dish … Man, was it spicy!“Vanjaram Iguru” (Seer Fish (King Fish) curry).Jagadamba theater, which I am told is a famous local theater. It is over 50 years old and can seat 1200 people.
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.Rushikonda Beach, which is to the North of Visakhapatnam. “No Swimming Allowed” and see what people are doing in the background 🙂As with other beaches in Visakhapatnam area, Rushikonda Beach is also a very nice one (with the usual trash being randomly thrown by people, of course).Rushikonda Beach.Rushikonda Beach.Rushikonda Beach.In the photo it is not very clear, but that resort you see on the hill is owned by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, as per my driver.A nice view of the beaches to the North of Vizag, including Rushikonda Beach, from Dr. NTR Beach Road.That ship you see in the background is a Bangladesh Cargo Ship which ran aground in 2020. Apparently, there are plans afoot to turn it into a tourist location, with eateries Etc.View of the beaches from Kailasagiri Hill. There is a toll gate at the foot of the hill and there were random guys (healthy and decently dressed) hanging around, asking for Durga Puja “gifts” (aka “Cash”). Nice way for the lazy, to earn a living 🙂 At this time, as I took this photo, heavy rain started and I (along with everyone else at Kailasagiri) had to run for cover.
I had an umbrella with me. It was of no use whatsoever as the strength of the rain was so severe that I got drenched in a matter of minutes. All the umbrella did was to keep my hair relatively dry. Also, holding on to the umbrella in the heavy winds was not easy. The advantage was that I had the Shiva-Parvati statue all to myself, despite the Kailasagiri Hill being heavily crowded due to the Durga Puja long weekend.Shiva-Parvati statue at Kailasagiri Hill.A view of the South from Kailasagiri Hill. You can see the haze due to the heavy rains.A map of Kailasagiri Hill. There is a small train that goes around the hill, when the weather is more apt.Cyclone Warning Station, at Kailasagiri Hill.On the way down the Kailasagiri Hill … The rainwater was running rampant.While walking around the Siripuram area of Vizag, I saw this nice temple.Dinosaurs!!! In Vizag!!!Yet another statue, at a traffic junction. Though banners are common in many countries, statues are more common in countries where political leaders are seen as Gods/Saints who can do no wrong … (Built with their own or their party’s funds 😉 ).Another nice temple …
I really liked the streets in this part of Vizag … A very “Tropical” feel.Decent footpaths as well …This is actually an Andhra University professor’s quarters (going by the name board) …Another Andhra University professor’s quarters …After walking past the Andhra University quarters area, I reached “House of Dosas”, a decent eatery which was open early. A group of senior citizens were giving a send-off to one of their walking partners (so I gathered from the conversations).The eatery … The coffee was really nice.As per my driver, this is a location that is rented out for events … Fancy!Like the “Hollywood” sign … “Kailasagiri” sign 🙂On the way to Araku Valley. The highways were quite decent, to start off.Durga Puja devotees … Decked in red.
Yet another status of a leader.A typical APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus.Yet another political banner …The area looked very green …A good train passing by …Looks like “Country Chicken” (Native Chicken) seems very popular in this region … There were several vendors selling it.Another guy selling “Country Chicken” …More paddy fields …Rolling hills …The highway gets more rural …
Climbing up … Eastern Ghats.A nice view of the Eastern Ghats …Eastern Ghats …Eastern Ghats …Eastern Ghats …The vivid green of the paddy fields …Getting closer to Borra Caves …The entire region is dominated by the color “Green” …From the vehicle parking area, there is a short walk to the ticket counters. There are stalls on either side.“Bamboo Biryani”: My personal take is that there is nothing special about this “Bamboo Biryani”. These dudes are obviously making it elsewhere and then just heating it up inside a bamboo. I tried it at a nearby eatery and it was mediocre, at best!
The entrance to the Borra Caves. There was a huge crowd this particular day (Sunday), probably because it was the Durga Puja long weekend.Entry was 70 Rupees. We have to leave our bags in a Cloak Room (15 Rupees for that).Climbing down to the caves …As I said, the Borra Caves was real crowded …The lighting inside Borra Caves was funky. Very colorful. It was like walking into a Discotheque 🙂Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh.Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh.At some points, you could see small open holes from which water was dripping down.Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh.Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh.Color-1Color-2Color-3 🙂Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh.
The rocks are obviously fragile … Hope people do not try and touch them and damage them.A stream near to the Borra Caves.As with the rest of the Eastern Ghats, the Borra Caves area is extremely green.There are quite a few shows selling curios and other knickknacks …There are quite a few shows selling curios and other knickknacks …There are quite a few shows selling curios and other knickknacks …There are quite a few shows selling curios and other knickknacks …This is the “Bamboo Biryani” I had … Trust me, if that Omelet was not there, I was in deep trouble 🙂 The Biryani was that tasteless.Next, it was time to visit the Ananthagiri Waterfalls. The waterfalls is a bit away (2-2.5km) from the main road. Also, a section of the road is not motorable, as you can see in this picture. The interesting thing is that Autorickshaws (3-wheelers) have set up a business here, plying people back and forth for 10-15 Rupees. Partly because I wanted to walk and enjoy the scenery and partly because the Autorickshaw guys were trying to rip me off at 10-15x the price they were charging others, I walked to/from the falls.One has to cross a small village on the way.As you can note, only I was doing the walk …It was a scenic and peaceful walk …It was a scenic and peaceful walk …It was a scenic and peaceful walk …It was a scenic and peaceful walk …It was a scenic and peaceful walk … Would have been an excellent place for a jog.It was a scenic and peaceful walk …Getting closer to the waterfalls.As usual, paddy fields everywhere you turn …
Yet another small village on the way …This baby goat was fearless … I walked by and it did not blink!Isn’t that some beautiful rice terraces?There was some light mist …The Ananthagiri Waterfalls … Taken from a viewing deck that is present to the side of the waterfalls.Looking up, from the base of the waterfalls.There were some people playing the water, at the base.You need to tackle some stairs, if you want to get to the base of the waterfalls.There are water drains, carrying water to the interiors.The village, on the way, looked quite nice.
Eastern Ghats … Taken from Galikonda View Point. Along Highway 39, which climbs the Eastern Ghats, to Araku Valley.View from Galikonda View Point.View from Galikonda View Point.“Bamboo Barbeque” 🙂 As if the “Bamboo Biryani” was not enough … IMHO, just a way to scam the tourists.Another dude making “Bamboo Barbeque” …We had to pass one market area … Because of the busy market, there was a traffic jam for 30-40min. The produce looked very fresh.The market area … Looks like each vendor is trying to sell what he/she was able to harvest that particular day.The market area … Looks like each vendor is trying to sell what he/she was able to harvest that particular day.The market area … Looks like each vendor is trying to sell what he/she was able to harvest that particular day.It was getting more foggy …
Coffee Museum, Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh. Not a big museum, but a worthwhile place to spend 30-45min.They have quite a few displays showcasing the history of Coffee.Coffee, originally found in Africa and Arabian peninsula, spread its wings and now is THE one of the most popular drinks in the World.Araku Valley is very popular for Coffee growers.Coffee Museum, Araku Valley.Writeup about the museum.They have a Coffee counter where you can try some of their brews. I went for their most traditional version.Coffee flavor wheel …They also have a souvenir shop where one can buy Coffee, Chocolates, Souvenirs Etc.Different kind of locally-made Chocolates.
Different kind of locally-made Chocolates.Different kind of locally-made Chocolates.As a snack, we had this Coffee Cake. It was Yum! I noticed that all the staff in the Coffee Museum were Tribals, which is very nice to see.I went to the Tribal Museum next, which is right next door.Just 50 Rupees for the Adult ticket.Not sure what connection this adventure pool has to “Tribals” 🙂 Boating, Ropeway-Cycling Etc.Some outdoor displays showing Tribal life.Indoor displays showcasing the typical Tribal utensils …Indoor displays showcasing the typical Tribal utensils …This dude looks “Badass” 🙂 A poster gallery in the Tribal Museum, Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh.
A photo feature display of Tribal life …A photo feature display of Tribal life …They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.Tribal utensils …They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.They also had some indoor life-size displays showing different aspects of the Tribal life. I really liked this hall.
The displays covered Tribal festivals, how they greet each other Etc.The displays covered Tribal festivals, how they greet each other Etc.There was a queue for the Ropeway-Cycling.A final look at Araku Valley 🙂On the return journey, it was pouring down like nobody’s business. Keep in mind that it is a high-range single-lane road. It was slow going …The 3 chocolate packs I bought from the Coffee Museum at Araku Valley. It tastes a bit different, obviously, when you compare to the mass-market store-bought versions.APSTRC Bus Stand, Visakhapatnam.“Dolphin class” (Not sure what that means) bus which I took from Visakhapatnam to Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry). I selected a seat right in front, when I booked online.“Dolphin class” APSRTC bus.
The interior … Would not win any luxury award any time soon 😉As is the norm for long(er) distance buses in India, they play a movie … In this case, they played “Pushpa” movie (Allu Arjun). I had not seen it before. I watched it on and off, in between a few short naps.Passed many paddy fields …And small villages …The highway … Looked quite nice.When we stopped for lunch … I personally skipped lunch as I do not like eating in extreme hurry (during the short pit-stop) and also this particular eatery’s ambience did not inspire confidence 🙂Yet more paddy fields …Yet more villages/towns …Nagarjuna’s “Ghost” movie had just released and its banners were all over Rajahmundry.During a walk through the market area near Kovvuru Bridge.
During a walk through the market area near Kovvuru Bridge.I am an (extreme) early morning person 🙂 Because I have early dinner, I am very hungry early in the mornings. I always have a tough time finding breakfast when I need it in the morning. At every hotel I stay, invariably, I am the very 1st person at breakfast. In this case, my hotel did not have breakfast option and I had to seek an outside restaurant. Finally, identified one restaurant which opened at 07:30 IST. They had amazing Idlis, made all the more amazing by the spicy chutneys and the awesome filter coffee that I had with it … Yum!During a short walk through Andhra University, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh. Reminded me of my B-Tech (Bachelors) days …Some folks were playing Cricket …Some folks were playing Cricket …The main entrance to the University.Forget Instagram, Facebook Etc. THIS is the ideal way to wish someone “Happy Birthday”!Another Leader’s Happy Birthday.Not sure why Kitta’s Birthday Banner is having a Horror Movie style fonts 🙂A view of the mighty Godavari river from Dowlaiswaram Barrage. The amazing river is around 5km wide at this point.
The (roughly) 5km wide Gadavari River … No wonder this part of Andhra Pradesh looks so fertile.Godavari River.A nearby railway track.Godavari river in the background.Dowlaiswaram Barrage, to control the flow of water … Makes sense. Imagine this river at its fiercest.Some fishing boats were visible at the banks …Looks like the Barrage was made by Jessop …A few other people were around, taking the usual selfies and such …I wonder how old this data is … 🙂 Does not look like the latest data.Onward, to Kakinada area … Pretty decent highway.
Kolkata is over 1000km away …A fruit vendor …I noticed that this area cultivates a lot of Custard Apple (“Sitaphal”). There were many roadside vendors selling Custard Apple.I noticed that this area cultivates a lot of Custard Apple (“Sitaphal”). There were many roadside vendors selling Custard Apple.The “Tea Time” eatery seems to be a chain in this region. I saw many “Tea Time” eateries along the highway.I noticed that this area cultivates a lot of Custard Apple (“Sitaphal”). There were many roadside vendors selling Custard Apple.Kakinada Beach. Not the cleanest. Lots of trash around … This was around noon and it was blazing hot. Yet, there were quite a few folks in the water.An old fighter plane near the Kakinada Beach. A decommissioned Russian TU-142 plane. There was a newly married couple and their photographer, clicking away with the plane as their background.Entry ticket to Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. Just 20 Rupees. Definitely worth it! I liked it a lot …A map of the overall Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Walking towards the Mangrove Forest.Displays highlighting the local Fauna.Isn’t that a pretty snake? Tough to spot, I bet, with all the greenery around.This is what I liked the best about the Coringa Park. The elevated wooden walkways. An excellent idea! This way, tourists do not damage the fragile Mangrove Forest.One of the several viewpoints of the Godavari River Basin.One of the several viewpoints of the Godavari River Basin. Very nice view.The green color has almost worn off, but the walkways are pretty sturdy for the most part … I could see only a handful of people who went as deep as I did, into the Mangrove Forest.Directions are posted … Very helpful as you will definitely get lost, otherwise.Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.Posters giving information on local Fauna.In case one likes to take a short break …Some areas are damaged and one has to be careful while crossing.Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.This was the toughest area to cross 🙂Elevated wooden walkway through the extensive Mangrove Forest in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.A narrow tributary of the Godavari river.
There is a viewing deck, 4 floors high … But the view is not that great as all you see are the treetops.Heading back to Rajahmundry …“Machilipatnam”: “Machili” == Fish. “Patnam” == Town. 🙂These are the Indian “Sleeper Buses”. Unless you are travelling as a couple, the sleeping arrangement is really weird as there are 2 people who sleep side by side, one one side of the bus 🙂 My one and only experience with a “Sleeper Bus” in 2012 resulted in me allowing the other dude to occupy both the side-by-side berths and I went and sat in the rear seat of the bus.We headed to Yanam town, right by the Godavari basin.The bridge across Godavari river (over 5km long) has footpaths on either side. I did not see anyone using it though …A view of the Godavari river from the Yanam bridge.A view of the Godavari river from the Yanam bridge.Fishing boats … Along the banks of Godavari river.“Godfather” Telugu movie is a remake of the Malayalam hit movie “Lucifer”.
On the way back to Rajahmundry from Yanam, we took a village road and not the highway.Crossed several rivers (Tributaries of Godavari?) …Some portions of the road was nicely tree-lined.I noticed that Pawan Kalyan (Superstar Chiranjeevi’s younger brother) seems to be very popular in this region. Here is a birthday banner for Pawan.Obviously, the local MLA is taking his people for a ride … The roads were horrible at several points.Obviously, the local MLA is taking his people for a ride … The roads were horrible at several points.Obviously, the local MLA is taking his people for a ride … The roads were horrible at several points.Some classical Indian potholes 🙂On my last day, for breakfast, I went for Masala Dosa. It was awesome, especially with the spicy chutneys. And the filter coffee 🙂On the way to airport … One final look at Railway bridge across Godavari river.
On the way to airport … One final look at Railway bridge across Godavari river.“Power Star” Pawan Kalyan 🙂The multi-lane road to Rajahmundry airport was very nice …I noticed that there were pigs roaming around on the side … Not surprising considering the amount of garbage accumulated in some areas.Just like at the Vizag Airport, Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) Airport also had a nice India flag.Rajahmundry Airport. Small and cute 🙂Indian fans always give “nick names” to movie stars. Like this one, “Rebel Star” given to Telugu actor Balakrishna.Inside Rajahmundry Airport.From my window, as the plane was taking off …A look at Godavari river from the sky …
Andhra Pradesh is famous for its varied culture and tradition. Andhra Pradesh is enamoured with thousands of religious centres, where weekly, monthly or annual Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are held. Every village and town in Andhra Pradesh has some kind of temple or place of worship where religious festivals are held, accompanied by fairs. Some of the Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are of local importance, while others have a wider significance. https://www.indianetzone.com/39/andhra_pradesh_temple_festivals.htm
Andhra Pradesh is famous for its varied culture and tradition. Andhra Pradesh is enamoured with thousands of religious centres, where weekly, monthly or annual Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are held. Every village and town in Andhra Pradesh has some kind of temple or place of worship where religious festivals are held, accompanied by fairs. Some of the Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are of local importance, while others have a wider significance.
https://www.indianetzone.com/39/andhra_pradesh_temple_festivals.htm
A very enjoyable travelogue. Enjoyed going through it
Sridhar