By Medha N, 5 C, Ekya ITPL
Last year I went to Goa with my family. We stayed at the Taj Holiday resort. The hotel was amazing and there were little houses scattered around which people stayed in. There were little buggies (They kind of look like golf cars) which took people and bags around. There were multiple restaurants and all had really delicious food. MY personal favorite is the olive pizza; who doesn’t like pizza? That visit we discovered a tree swing, it kind of looked like the picture below but the tree was a lot bigger and older and the tree was a different kind of tree though I am not sure which type. It was fun swinging and swinging until it was time to go to the beach. Luckily there was easy access from our hotel to a part of a beach where there were not many people. There were a lot of shells on the beach and you could only find them when the tide was low. The beach was amazing. The only part which I don’t like about the beach is that the sand gets stuck to your clothes and toes and when you reach inside your room it gets everywhere.
Anyway the next day we went to Fort Aguada. It is an old fort transformed into a hotel and it is right next to where we were staying. I was really thrilled and when I got to know that we get to use a private entrance I was bouncing off the walls. The hotel was really beautiful and interesting. When we looked down into the ocean water near the fort we could see yellow, red, and blue stones in the ocean water near the fort. The stones made the water look superb. When it was time to go back to our hotel room I didn’t want to leave. We stayed at the beach until sunset and we could see the sunset off onto the horizon glowing orange and a little bit red. It really was the best vacation ever.
When one thinks of a tourist destination, their mind first goes to some exotic location, be it abroad or in our country. However, while we’re out vacationing at these locations, we forget the experiences a simple city can offer us.
One of my favorite places to visit is the city of Belgaum, or Belgavi, as it’s officially called, located at the northern tip of Karnataka, along the Western Ghats. It is in an ideal location, close in proximity to Maharashtra, and Goa – which allow for fun weekend getaways to a new place every time. And the best part is, it’s only a couple of hours away from Bangalore, as it is roughly 500 km away.
However, my absolute favorite way to travel to Belgaum is through a train as it provides beautiful views and makes you appreciate the journey all the more.
Its history is also one to be remembered – it was, and still is a major military center. The city served as a major military installation for the British Raj, primarily due to its proximity to Goa, which was then a Portuguese territory. Once the British left India, the Indian government continued and still continues to have armed forces installations in Belgaum. In 1961, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, used forces from Belgaum to end the Portuguese rule of Goa.
Now, the city is well on its way to becoming a Smart City, under the SmartCities Mission. It has an airport, connecting to major cities, well-built roads, and good facilities.
But don’t worry – as modern as the city seems – it still retains its old charm, especially with its two forts – The Belgaum Fort, and the Rajhansagad Yellur Fort.
The Rajhansgad Yellur Fort is a definite stop if you love scenic views. It is located on a hill, 3310 ft above sea level, which provides a beautiful view and a perfect backdrop for pictures. There isn’t much else to do, other than visiting the temple in the middle of the fort, but the view makes it worth it.
Another place to visit is the Belgaum Fort, which is well known in history – mainly for it being a place to hold Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. The fort is majestic and holds temples (Jain and Hindu) and two mosques. All these structures are beautifully designed and have deep roots in history.
Belgaum also offers hillocks dotting the outskirts of the city, with vehicle access, which provides scenic views and peaceful surroundings. On every trip, we would visit one or the other hillock, and enjoy the calm, away from the city.
A spot for adventure enthusiasts is Vaccine Depot – started as a Vaccine Institute for manufacturing Small Pox vaccine in 1904. It is now an area, rich in flora and fauna – perfect for a walk. It is now rundown, but the scenery and sturdy trees to climb are a wonderful way to spend your day.
And finally, one of my absolute favorite things to do every time. I wish is to go to either Goa or Dandeli, a district near Belgaum, known for its water sports on the river Kali, such as white water rafting, boating, etc. It offers several resorts, perfect for a day trip or a weekend stay.
So, the next time you want to take a small trip anywhere, consider Belgaum as your destination, and fall I love with it, just as I did!
By Seja Heda, Ekya ITPL, 10 B
Living in a tree
Which is always free
There are so many bugs
And many slugs
My tree is 21 years old
And it is always bold
It gives so much air
And it is always fair
So, don’t cut down a tree
Or oxygen won't be free
I love a tree
It makes me feel free
By Hrithick Muthuraman, 5C , Ekya ITPL
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