Honeymoon in the kutch

leanna · Mar 30th, 2005, 00:19

We're getting married in Greece in June and then spending three months honeymooning (with husband researching his next book on epic heroes in the MHB) in the Kutch, maybe using Mandvi as our base. We're travelling with my five-year-old son. It's my first time in India, though my fiance has been often. Any words to the wise as to what to expect in that part of Gujarat? Travelling with a five-year-old? Hoping for enchantment...

soulfood · Mar 30th, 2005, 01:03

Lucky you! Kutch has been one of my fav places for sometime. I've never been able to visit though so I can't help there. There's a thread that might help you with info about bringing a child to India.

machadinha · Mar 30th, 2005, 01:14

One small thing: I read this story once by a guy who got out of his jeep in the salt desert in the Rann of Kutch, only to find after a couple of hundred meters he couldn't see his car no more because of the mirages. Maybe something to keep in mind (he obviously lived to tell the tale but it sounded pretty scary).

It's more of a backwards area I guess. A friend of mine lived there with her newborn child and she survived, although getting closer socially to people seemed to be difficult, as often in India I guess.

For exploring the Little Rann of Kutch we were advised to visit the Dhangandra Forest Office, halfway between Ahmedabad and Bhuj (we never did in the end). In Bhuj we were helped out by a friendly guy at the Tourist Information Office of the Aina Mahal Trust if that still exists, probably the ol' Mr. Sethi himself.

soulfood · Mar 30th, 2005, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

One small thing: I read this story once by a guy who got out of his jeep in the salt desert in the Rann of Kutch, only to find after a couple of hundred meters he couldn't see his car no more because of the mirages. Maybe something to keep in mind (he obviously lived to tell the tale but it sounded pretty scary).

I know! They say you should NEVER venture out in the Rann of Kutch without an experienced driver. Too many people have gone there to never return.

It is scary but it's also an adrenalin rush. Imagine being surrounded by vast open space....of the kind you've never experienced in your life. Absolutely nothing in all directions for hundreds of kilometers!!

soulfood · Mar 30th, 2005, 02:08

Just found this lovely article...

INDIA — THE RANN OF KUTCH
by David Yeadon

Close your eyes and imagine the utter emptiness. A white nothingness — a brilliant, frost-colored land — fat as an ice lake, burning the eyes with its whiteness. Not a bump, not a shrub, not a bird, not a breeze. Nothing but white in every direction, horizon after horizon, on and on for over two hundred miles east to west, and almost one hundred miles north to south.

This is the Rann of Kutch (or Kachchh), the largest area of nothingness on the planet; uninhabited, the ultimate physical barrier...

Complete article

.

machadinha · Mar 30th, 2005, 02:12

National Geographic TV has a nice 1-hour program about the wild donkeys actually that they rerun sometimes. It gives you an idea of their harsh surroundings too. Mind you not all of Kutch is like that. I've been looking around for the Forest office I mentioned but what with the many possible ways of spelling it and Kutch I gave up.

traceyam · Mar 30th, 2005, 02:59

Looks like Arizona.

edwardseco · Mar 30th, 2005, 07:46

Some parts of Texas..

Alan D · Mar 30th, 2005, 15:31

If you're going to be staying in the Kutch region I think Mandvi would be a good choice.

It's a small market town for the surrounding villages with an interesting bazaar and very friendly people. It suffered very little in the earthquake although it's only about 50 K's from Bhuj, which is slowly recovering from the devastation it experienced. Being beside the sea it's also going to be a bit cooler than interior Kutch, something I'm sure you will appreciate in the hot season.

There are a few small hotels and guest houses but I'm not sure of the availability of houses to rent.

I would suggest you get in touch with Vinod Bhatt, the owner of the Rukmavati Guest House in Mandvi and a member on this forum

I'm sure he will do his best to advise you on whether there are places for rent, in or near the town. Just mention our names, Alan and Caroline, as we have stayed with him a few times.

gs_uppal · Mar 30th, 2005, 15:34

Kutchh in June. THINK AGAIN.

leanna · Mar 30th, 2005, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan D

If you're going to be staying in the Kutch region I think Mandvi would be a good choice.

It's a small market town for the surrounding villages with an interesting bazaar and very friendly people. It suffered very little in the earthquake although it's only about 50 K's from Bhuj, which is slowly recovering from the devastation it experienced. Being beside the sea it's also going to be a bit cooler than interior Kutch, something I'm sure you will appreciate in the hot season.

There are a few small hotels and guest houses but I'm not sure of the availability of houses to rent.

I would suggest you get in touch with Vinod Bhatt, the owner of the Rukmavati Guest House in Mandvi and a member on this forum

I'm sure he will do his best to advise you on whether there are places for rent, in or near the town. Just mention our names, Alan and Caroline, as we have stayed with him a few times.

Thanks very much Alan - yes, we have contacted Vinod (I noticed one of your earlier postings about him and his guest house) and he was most gracious - it sounds lovely - we will probably stay there upon arrival and maybe for the duration, unless an invitation arrives from the Maharajah of Bhuj...? Best to you,
Leanna

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfood

Just found this lovely article...

INDIA — THE RANN OF KUTCH
by David Yeadon

Close your eyes and imagine the utter emptiness. A white nothingness — a brilliant, frost-colored land — fat as an ice lake, burning the eyes with its whiteness. Not a bump, not a shrub, not a bird, not a breeze. Nothing but white in every direction, horizon after horizon, on and on for over two hundred miles east to west, and almost one hundred miles north to south.

This is the Rann of Kutch (or Kachchh), the largest area of nothingness on the planet; uninhabited, the ultimate physical barrier...

Complete article

.

Thanks so much for the article - what a good find! I'll bring it home to add to our Kutch file...
Best,
Leanna

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs_uppal

Kutchh in June. THINK AGAIN.

Why? too hot?

soulfood · Mar 30th, 2005, 21:07

Thanks so much for the article - what a good find!

You're welcome. A very well written and well researched piece indeed. I was just as glad when I found it.

And yes, it'll be a scorcher in June.

Alan D · Mar 30th, 2005, 21:28

Mandvi will be hot but it's on the coast and gets cooling sea breezes - a similar climate to Diu, I would say. If you're planning to stay there maybe try and find a place on the coastal side of town.

Inland it would be much hotter and the actual Rann of Kutch would be almost unbearable. You won't find anywhere cooler at that time of year unless you head for the hills of North or South India.

leanna · Mar 30th, 2005, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan D

Mandvi will be hot but it's on the coast and gets cooling sea breezes - a similar climate to Diu, I would say. If you're planning to stay there maybe try and find a place on the coastal side of town.

Inland it would be much hotter and the actual Rann of Kutch would be almost unbearable. You won't find anywhere cooler at that time of year unless you head for the hills of North or South India.

Thanks Alan, for all your help - much appreciated. We'll see if we can find a little house on the coastal side, once we arrive.Till soon...

kashyap_rajput · Jun 10th, 2005, 16:37

quick addon, dont forget to visit Naana Layja beach, around 10km away from Mandavi... Nice beach and temple, cool place to spare some romantic time..

Enjoy your journey

Mar 30th, 2005, 00:19	#1
leanna Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: cambridge. ma, usa Posts: 6	Honeymoon in the kutch We're getting married in Greece in June and then spending three months honeymooning (with husband researching his next book on epic heroes in the MHB) in the Kutch, maybe using Mandvi as our base. We're travelling with my five-year-old son. It's my first time in India, though my fiance has been often. Any words to the wise as to what to expect in that part of Gujarat? Travelling with a five-year-old? Hoping for enchantment...

Mar 30th, 2005, 01:14	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,369	One small thing: I read this story once by a guy who got out of his jeep in the salt desert in the Rann of Kutch, only to find after a couple of hundred meters he couldn't see his car no more because of the mirages. Maybe something to keep in mind (he obviously lived to tell the tale but it sounded pretty scary). It's more of a backwards area I guess. A friend of mine lived there with her newborn child and she survived, although getting closer socially to people seemed to be difficult, as often in India I guess. For exploring the Little Rann of Kutch we were advised to visit the Dhangandra Forest Office, halfway between Ahmedabad and Bhuj (we never did in the end). In Bhuj we were helped out by a friendly guy at the Tourist Information Office of the Aina Mahal Trust if that still exists, probably the ol' Mr. Sethi himself. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Mar 30th, 2005, 02:59	#7
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	Looks like Arizona. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Mar 30th, 2005, 15:31	#9
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,869	If you're going to be staying in the Kutch region I think Mandvi would be a good choice. It's a small market town for the surrounding villages with an interesting bazaar and very friendly people. It suffered very little in the earthquake although it's only about 50 K's from Bhuj, which is slowly recovering from the devastation it experienced. Being beside the sea it's also going to be a bit cooler than interior Kutch, something I'm sure you will appreciate in the hot season. There are a few small hotels and guest houses but I'm not sure of the availability of houses to rent. I would suggest you get in touch with Vinod Bhatt, the owner of the Rukmavati Guest House in Mandvi and a member on this forum I'm sure he will do his best to advise you on whether there are places for rent, in or near the town. Just mention our names, Alan and Caroline, as we have stayed with him a few times. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

Jun 10th, 2005, 16:37	#15
kashyap_rajput Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: India Posts: 154	quick addon, dont forget to visit Naana Layja beach, around 10km away from Mandavi... Nice beach and temple, cool place to spare some romantic time.. Enjoy your journey __________________ Swarovski Annual Christmas Ornament 2007

Mar 30th, 2005, 01:03	#2
soulfood Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delhi Posts: 467	Lucky you! Kutch has been one of my fav places for sometime. I've never been able to visit though so I can't help there. There's a thread that might help you with info about bringing a child to India.

Mar 30th, 2005, 02:08	#5
soulfood Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delhi Posts: 467	Just found this lovely article... INDIA — THE RANN OF KUTCH by David Yeadon Close your eyes and imagine the utter emptiness. A white nothingness — a brilliant, frost-colored land — fat as an ice lake, burning the eyes with its whiteness. Not a bump, not a shrub, not a bird, not a breeze. Nothing but white in every direction, horizon after horizon, on and on for over two hundred miles east to west, and almost one hundred miles north to south. This is the Rann of Kutch (or Kachchh), the largest area of nothingness on the planet; uninhabited, the ultimate physical barrier... Complete article .

Mar 30th, 2005, 02:12	#6
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,369	National Geographic TV has a nice 1-hour program about the wild donkeys actually that they rerun sometimes. It gives you an idea of their harsh surroundings too. Mind you not all of Kutch is like that. I've been looking around for the Forest office I mentioned but what with the many possible ways of spelling it and Kutch I gave up.

Mar 30th, 2005, 07:46	#8
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,536	Some parts of Texas..

Mar 30th, 2005, 15:34	#10
gs_uppal Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 392	Kutchh in June. THINK AGAIN.

Mar 30th, 2005, 21:07	#12
soulfood Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delhi Posts: 467	Thanks so much for the article - what a good find! You're welcome. A very well written and well researched piece indeed. I was just as glad when I found it. And yes, it'll be a scorcher in June.

Mar 30th, 2005, 21:28	#13
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,869	Mandvi will be hot but it's on the coast and gets cooling sea breezes - a similar climate to Diu, I would say. If you're planning to stay there maybe try and find a place on the coastal side of town. Inland it would be much hotter and the actual Rann of Kutch would be almost unbearable. You won't find anywhere cooler at that time of year unless you head for the hills of North or South India.

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