I had assumed that Bakkhali was a place where I could spend a couple of hours relaxing on the beach and explore the rest of the area on my way back. However, nothing was as I expected. The beaches were less crowded, the roads less noisy, and my mind nudged me to prolong my stay outside. I could not help but slow down and appreciate the relaxed pace of this coastal town. The things that I did there and the places I explored made my trip more meaningful.
My mornings began with a relaxing walk along Bakkhali Beach
I reached the beach in Bakkhali right at sunrise, where I found a few local fishermen around their respective boats, and some locals who had come there to enjoy the cool morning breeze. I strolled along the seashore, barefoot, and not thinking about the time. It was not long before I found myself being immersed in the stillness and serenity of Bakkhali.Â
The waves of the Bay of Bengal rolled gently as I wandered deeper into the beach. In this lovely little corner of West Bengal, every minute I spent outdoors was worthwhile as the view kept changing with the sunrise. This marked the beginning of my explorations into the beauty of Bakkhali.
Bakkhali’s Henry’s Island was an unplanned adventure
My guides advised me to consider a visit to Henry’s Island as a brief and pleasant interlude, and I was glad they insisted. Not too far from Bakkhali, this island turned out to be a delightful surprise and an excellent opportunity to unwind.Â
The walk on the wooden bridge through the mangroves was worth the effort to witness a different view from atop the watchtower. The beach here was even more unspoiled, and I found myself spending long minutes simply enjoying the gentle sea breeze. It was one of those rare instances when I felt there was no need to do anything else but relax and revel in the stillness.
I had more time for sightseeing and relaxation at Bakkhali!
As I had taken the trouble to book a room in advance at one of the popular hotels in Bakkhali, I saved some precious morning hours for sightseeing. After checking in and dropping my bag, I set off for Bakkhali Beach. Thus, freed from the usual rush for finding a hotel, I had more time to explore this lovely seaside village.Â
In addition to visiting Henry’s Island, these morning hours enabled me to save the most coveted part of my day, the serene evening, for relaxing. Besides, I had the evening for other excursions without running late.
I explored Fraserganj and saw the other side of Bakkhali
Later that afternoon, I decided to take a trip to Fraserganj, a small coastal village close to Bakkhali. Here, I saw the other side of coastal life in West Bengal as I marvelled at the fishing harbour and the activities that unfolded before my eyes.Â
Watching the local fisherfolk unload their daily catch while getting ready for the next day’s fishing was fascinating. The panoramic views of the river’s confluence also drew me closer to this quiet little beach village. As I sat in the evening breeze watching the skies change colour, I reflected on the events of the day before heading back.
The local vegetarian meals enriched my Bakkhali experience
After an adventurous day outdoors and long hours of walking, all I wanted was a good meal. My hotel in Bakkhali served some lip-smacking local breakfast, including freshly made luchi with potato curry. Later that evening, I relished a plate of steamed rice with moong dal, mixed vegetable curry, and fried potatoes for dinner.Â
I had hot vegetable chops with tea in the evening before ending the day with a sweet, milky dish called mishti doi. Overall, I had enough of healthy, wholesome local food to feel right about spending a night in this lovely little coastal village. In fact, for this short trip, I would not have needed to look elsewhere for good food. The simple and hearty local meals were more than sufficient to nourish my body after a day of hard work.
Bakkhali remains embedded in my memory
When I set foot in Bakkhali, I had no idea that it would turn out to be the most meaningful trip of my recent years. All I desired was a relaxing day at the beach followed by exploring a few nearby areas. However, my visit to this lovely little village remains special for the memories of the stillness that lingered long after I had left it.Â
Even the locals were more interested in enjoying the calmness than hurrying up for any specific reason. What surprised me most about my short stay in Bakkhali was that I had a fulfilling experience without feeling any need to change anything about it.