A Solo Trip to Gokarna

As I get ready to go for my solo trip, but slightly more prepared as well (I have the bus tickets – no accommodation booked or activity planned), I always wonder: Is solo-travel the ‘true’ form of traveling? Why is there such a big fuss about a person not being a traveler/wanderer/nomad if he hasn’t traveled alone?

I love traveling alone! There is a certain charm to traveling alone – you definitely talk to a lot more local people, other travellers, strangers, you learn a lot about the place, its heritage, interesting tidbits, trivia – the ‘personality’ of the place. Though you might miss your friends or family, at least you’ll get time to miss them.

Anyway, since nobody really gives a damn about what I philosophise (neither do I – its a waste of time), let me introduce you to the place I travelled to:

Gokarna.. a small coastal town in Karnataka, on the west coast of India. It was the destination of my fourth solo trip, and one of the my most memorable trips too.

A lot of people might have heard of Goa – a former Portuguese colony, with a very distinctive culture of its own – as famous for its beautiful beaches and chilled-out atmosphere as it is for its irritating touts and hoards of touristy crowds.

Well, Gokarna is Goa without the crowds and touts. It’s beautiful. It’s simple. It’s a wake up call, to see the world in a different way. It’s a place to rediscover yourself.

This time I stayed at Half-moon Beach. The easiest way to get to Half-moon Beach is by boat from Gokarna. The journey takes about half an hour. The 20 minute hike from Om Beach is a breathtaking experience, it is a bit tough but the scenery is magnificent.
The accommodation is basic, without electricity, but very charming. The sound of the waves will give you a peaceful sleep. Here are the choices:
Clay huts
Igloo
Tents
Under the open sky

Living in a clay hut in Gokarna was Devine experience. in these clay houses you don't have electricity. I had to light candles in the night it was great time away from modern world of technology for self reconciliation and meditation completely in nature, just living on your own among the mountains by the most beautiful beach... there were many backpackers staying there like this away from technology. We had small bonfire in the night then music from different part of the world, concluded with some fireworks by me and Tetsuya (A Japanese Didgeridoo Player). I miss it, I wish I didn't have office so that I would have stayed there longer... That place was really a paradise i started missing it since the time i got into the Bus and reminisce for the beautiful time I spent there.

I am sure I will return there whenever I have time ... 

P.S. Thanks to all the friends I made in Gokarna for making my visit such a great experience!