The Cute Lil' Cottage on the Beach

WorkCation has taken the laptopic toilers to a new level. The word Workcation aka Work + Vacation was coined by our netizens comprising of city dwellers who found exotic locations around the world, where they could continue to work while on vacation. Sounds ridiculous, Isn't ?! Who would want to slog on a holiday ?

Well, it din't make much sense to me, until the pandemic (covid-19) hit. With workspaces closed, the employees were confined to the four walls in a quiet corner of their house. Slowly the concept of WFH (work from home) shifted to WFA (work from anywhere) when the migrant population relocated to their hometowns, saving on the high rentals of their city homes.

Few homestay owners in a bid to save their drowning business, lured the workforce with high speed internet connectivity, even in remote locations. The travel-starved techies jumped at the opportunity, yearning for a change of workspace ambience. Voila ! The travel forums were flooded with pretty photos of ''the view from my work table''. Soon, I was bitten too....with the idea buzzing inside my head!

My hunt for a perfect, pretty Workcation place ended when I spotted a post on '' house on the beach front available for rent, ideal for working while relaxing''. The well mannered young man who answered the call sent me photos and further information on the property. And I was sold !!! Yeppppp !!!!

J's Beach House is just a stone's throw away from the secluded LN Beach, Gujjarbettu, nearly 410 km from Bangalore. The beauty of the hills and its serpentine roads get enhanced during the rains with thick blankets of fog sweeping down frequently. We ventured via Agumbe route while going and enjoyed the Charmadi Ghats on return. Both the drives were amazing as Nature never disappoints !

My few apprehensions on what the property will offer evaporated the minute I saw the place. A compact and comfortable stand alone house with spacious parking, an empty adjacent plot (ideal for bonfire and barbeque), greenery all around and the ocean view from the portico ! Further more, the house was furnished with all necessities and a full fledged kitchen.

We unloaded the umpteen bags and settled for the fortnight. We cooked breakfast and dinner ourselves, while I asked the caretaker, an excellent cook, to treat me with traditional Tulunadu delicacies. She took up the challenge happily ! Food is an integral part of any travel - Never miss the opportunity ! Seafood lovers will be treated with fresh prawns and fish, cooked with authentic Tulunadu flavours.

I woke up to the pleasant sounds of clucking hens, cawing crows and cooing peacocks the next morning. What a drastic change and a welcome relief ! It was always the vrooming vehicles and the high-pitched shout of peddlers that annoyingly woke me up all these days. I stay in a noisy part of the city with hoards of construction activity going on where raucous and clamorous sound tires my ears. This is music !

It was the season of rains, the monsoons. And me, a pluviophile! Imagine my delight! I had never witnessed the ocean under heavy downpour and I was amazed. All these years, it had always been ''Sunset at the Beach''. But now, it was a wonder to watch the heavy, dark clouds pouring its load into the ocean while moving towards the land, cajoled by the winds. And within a few minutes, I am dancing in the drizzle !

With the presence of coconut trees, shrubs and greenery along the beach, we could spot several birds calling it home. The high flying Brahminy Kites settles themselves on the tall palms and scoops swiftly for a catch, now and then. Peacocks and peahens galore! They are everywhere! Kingfishers and Woodpeckers were also spotted. A family of Mongoose sauntered around the house frequently.

Strolling along the beach in between meetings, tea breaks while watching the crashing waves, feeding scraps of food to the roving hens, rolling on the surf and sand at dusk, brisk morning walks on the shores soon became our routine. We did not go with a long list of ''must visits'' and hence enjoyed the surroundings.

However, with hordes of intriguing places around, we explored the offbeat locations, whenever we could.

✔Unexplored Gems of Karkala

✔Udupi with Kunjarugiri Hill Drive

✔Beach Explorations - Secluded and Serene

✔Hanging Bridges - Lifesavers of South Canara

✔Malpe Beach, Sea Walk and St.Mary's Island ride

A fortnight of Sand, Surf, Sea, Sun and Salt left us rejuvenated and recharged. And Yes....Workcation is a necessary medicine to replenish the energies of the soul! Amen! 😃😄😉

For more information, new places, offbeat locations, please check out www.deepassionatewanderer.in

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