Digha, West Bengol: A traveller's nightmare (12th Oct, 2013)

Travelers who want to explore places, culture, and enjoy life, in any way possible, would always have low expectations from the upcoming destination. This way anything interesting would make the traveler happy or in other words SATISFIED. However, amazingly there are places in earth, which boasts to be THE travel destination, but happens to make the top position in the list of the worst place to visit.

Yes yes the guess is right; this piece is about such a loner place named Digha!!!

Tourists and most travelers generally search for places where there is a beach or mountain or Himalayas, lakes, or malls or a market, or a temple or a cave, rivers........Well as I had only myself for this festival holidays, I intrepidly choose Digha as my nearest (alternate festival) destination. Sources such as internet, people, rumors  and newspapers, assured me of such a wonderful place where I could forget everything about the festival moments back at home.

So, I went to this place and right after reaching the place I realized that I had made the biggest mistake. I said to myself it happens, and it will soon be better if I get to know the place better. I WAS WRONG, and the reasons being;

1. Upon the arrival at Digha, you come to know that there are actually two Digha, Old and New. The worst part is you don't know which one is better.
2. Over priced hotels and lodges: Well it happens in festive seasons everywhere, however at Digha there is no limit in over pricing. Imagine a budget hotel/lodge in Pokhara, Nepal which would be at Rs 500 at off season and Rs 1000 in holidays. The same room in Digha would cost you around Rs 2000 with some added benefits such as load shedding (its worst there), noisy generators, 10 inch TV, 100 years old carpet, NO blanket, Balcony with a view of a wall, company of a whole bunch of mosquitoes all night long.
3. Rules, Rules and more Rules: First of all if you travel alone there is 80% chance that you won't get any hotel. According to the hoteliers people come for the pleasure of doing a suicide at Digha and most of them came alone. Photo ID is a must, and you have to register yourself at the police station first to book a hotel.
4. Digha is for beach right.....Think twice: There was a red alert at the far western part of India in places such as Gopal Nagar, Jagganath puri and so on. The least to be affected by the cyclone storm named PILENE was said to be the fas corners of Odissa. Digha is much farther. However, digha was also affected and as a precautionary measure the beach area was prohibited. Ha ha .....I went for Digha because of the sandy beach.
5. No alchohol day: It was Asthami, 8th day of the festival, and whole of Bengal had declared a dry day. Yes, no alchohol of any kind, not in retails (there were no retails), and in bars (and there were no bars).
6. There is absolutely nothing there: There is a railway station, science museum, an aquarium museum, sea shells, lobsters and so on. Well guess what, I DON'T care.
7. Rain with a cyclone effect: Ok, rain is not an obstacle to enjoy, but it will be a pain if there is a 200km/hr wind along with the rain.
8. Transportation: To travel within digha, or if you want to do a tour within, it will cost you around Rs 500 for half day. Not much right! Well you are paying all that just to see some trees, roads, people, and dirty eateries.

To sum up, I just went there to have a good time, but I didn't. I tried really hard against all odds to enjoy Digha but this place is something else. The caretaker of my guest house at Kolkata asked me about the trip. With a huge sarcastic smile, I said "IT WENT REALLY ahmnnnn ahh WELL"

Anyways, my trip didn't go well. It doesn't have to be the same for other people. For those who are planning to go to Digha here are some tips from my side

1. Plan your trip at least two weeks earlier, and always have a contingency plan. There are other beaches as well.
2. Listen to everybody, 80% from the people around, and rest from the internet.
3. Book the hotel rooms in advance, at least a week ago.
4.  Always carry your photo ID with you, employment card won't do in some place.
5. Travel light, really light, I mean not more than a bag.
6. Do not pay for the tour of Digha; take a taxi or rickshaw to go to nearby beaches.
7. If you see a good bar or a food kiosk, use it. If you think there will be better facilities in the next alley, there is a good chance that you will be wrong.
8. Take help of the local police or a government official, they won't get irritated. They are there to help.
9. Check the rooms before you pay. Check for lightnings, flush, towels, mosquito repellents, power backup, and TV connection. Take non-AC room, as most of the time there is a load shedding and cables get cut frequently, so no use of AC.
10. Always take an umbrella, a sturdy one. A good slipper and shorts will be very good throughout the travel.
11. Keep a lot of change with you, ten rupee notes will be really helpful. Everyone expect tips.
12. Bargain all the time.

Bon Voyage

The sea was really unwelcoming