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...

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.

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.

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!!

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

.

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.

Looks like Arizona.

Some parts of Texas..

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.

Kutchh in June. THINK AGAIN.

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

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

Why? too hot?

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.

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...

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