Diu - Diwali on the beach

To our amazement we found that Diwali season is the 'high' tourist season for Diu as whole of Gujrat shuts down for about a week after Diwali. This meant that we saw the resort at its best - specially decorated for the holiday season. We saw some of the most beautiful rangolis here, even on the doors -



We were fascinated by the shiny, flourescent colors. We found that these colors are specially made for rangoli - by crushing sea-shells. Kids tried their hand at it, using some simple as well as some elaborate paper stencils.


We celebrated one of the msot memorable Diwali nights in Diu. The hotel staff guided us to the beach to burst our crackers. It was amazing to see "Anars" being reflected in the waves. Some local children too joined us and helpd us clear the debris later.



Yes! the holiday was memorable. Made doubly so by the lovely resort. Its setting, location, food, pool, staff, playroom, even the inhouse store - all were just superb. The 2k per day was more than justified :)

Diu - first impressions

Our journey from Delhi to Ahemadabad had already left us on the edge. And now, travelling by road from Veraval to Diu, doubts were raging within us. The landscape was quite bleak. It was pretty hot even in late Oct. The roads were not good. Veraval smelled of fish. It didn't look like Diu would turn out to be the right choice for a idyllic holiday that we wanted. Even the smiling cotton plantations couldn't lift the foreboding.

But all of this changed once we crossed the bridge across the sea inlet to reach the island of Diu. Suddenly the view was dominated by lines of strangely shaped palm trees - called the Hoka Palm. The place exuded warmth and happiness.

We headed straight for the beach. And what a beach it was - clear blue water with gentle waves washing up the sandy shores. We had a leisurely stroll while the children were busy making their first sand castle. It was noon- and we had the entire beach to ourselves.


We could have stayed there endlesly but the taxi guy was waiting to drop us to the hotel and leave. We soiled all the taxi floor with our sand filled shoes. But like all the people we met here, he was extra gracious, not once saying anything. The road to the hotel was very picturesque, all along the sea. Finally we reached the hotel - Radhika Beach Resort. The place turned out to another beauty. It is very well landscaped, with beautifully lawns, statues and greenery all around. Kids were overjoyed to see the lovely pool- they spent at least 5 hours in it everyday for the entire stay.

Unexpected Adventure while going to Diu

The plan was to fly to Ahemadabad and then catch a train to Diu (veraval). The plan seemed perfect enough - we were booked on a Spicejet flight from Delhi to Ahd leaving at 5:30pm and reaching there at 7, leaving us a good 3 hours before our train at 10pm. It was Oct - no fog and a perfect weather for a flight.
But the flight did get delayed, first 20 mins then 40 mins, then 1 hour , and it was 7.30 pm when it finally took off - pretty close to the 'ditch the train' time that i had set for ourselves.
Sitting on the air port, I had called my cousin in Ahd - to shelve all his evening plans and be there to pick us up at the air port so that we don't waste any time looking for a taxi to the railway station. And good that I did it.
The flight landed at 8:45 - still a good one and quarter hours in hand - its about half an hour drive to the railway station . But I had not anticipated the time my luggage will take to arrive :(. Standing near the starting point of the conveyor belt, I lifted the flap to see a luggage cart coming in, only to realize, that my cases were not on it. Then the next cart came after about 10 mins, and i could spot one of my bags on the top. But we did not find the other bag even when the cart was emptied out.
Half an hour after touch down we were still waiting for the luggage. With half an eye on the watch, I kept looking out for the next cart, hoping that the kids prayers will hurry it up somehow. And then the cart came into view, with our bag near the top. But our luck wasn't going to smooth out now, the loaders somehow managed to topple the cart and took a further 10 mins to get the bags going on the conveyor belt- it was so frustrating watching it all happen so slowly. My son wanted to jump out and pick up the bag, we had to restrain him somehow.
Finally we were out of the airport at 9:20. Luckily, I could spot and recognise my cousin instantly (we were meeting after a gap of about 10 years). And then I pushed the trolley out to get into the car fast. Only to realize there was no car - his wife was supposed to bring it to the pick up area, but he could not get her number as it was busy. Our pulses were racing. Being used to Delhi's travel times, we were sure he was bluffing us with his assurances about 'there being just enough time'.
Presently he got the number and the car came into view. Soon we were cruising on Ahd's roads - pretty nice and wide and orderly traffic too. We reached the railway station at 10 minutes to 10 ! A porter took us to our train- on an obscure platform numbered 2A - that is the further end of platform 2 , where another train was waiting. And we did board the train just before it blew the whistle.
phew! it was an adventurous beginning to a vacation that we had planned as a 'total relaxation' one.