Bekal

Bekal, and specifically the Taj Bekal has been on the Insta feed and friends’ recommendation list for a long time. And that’s how we ended up creating a mini break for 3 nights, with the express aim of going there to do nothing.

Getting there & getting around

Bangalore has multiple daily flights to Mangalore, and it takes just an hour. Mangalore to Taj Bekal is a 1.5 hr journey with most of it on a fantastic highway. You can get a cab from the airport for Rs.2900. I had read that we could get an Uber, but I couldn’t find any.

We found Bekal Taxi Service thanks to a signboard right outside the hotel. Shyam responded promptly on WhatsApp, and gave us good rates for both the local sightseeing as well as the Airport drop. Clean vehicles, and punctual.

Stay @ Taj Bekal

We booked early enough to get a decent deal – around 17k/night incl breakfast and a 25% off on meals, spa etc. We chose to skip the ‘all meals included’ package though it could be useful if you plan to simply vegetate at the hotel. Taj Bekal is pretty enough, with sufficient (paid) activities to make that an option.

Our room was at one end of the property. We didn’t mind the 5 min walk to the lobby, restaurant etc, and you could get yourself a buggy if you’re lazy, but if that’s not your preference, it’s probably a good idea to make an early request especially if you choose a package.

The room itself was quite large, and the highlight was the swing bed on the balcony. A great way to spend your time doing nothing.

Taj Bekal has done a great job of keeping the biodiversity of the place intact. While we are used to Kerala’s natural beauty and greenery, I can see why people who aren’t accustomed to it will find it even more alluring. This is a view from the bridge we had to cross to get to the lobby and restaurants. To your left…

…and to your right.

Continue on the path, and you can get a glimpse of the beach adjoining the property – Kappil beach (different from the one near Varkala) The red circles have seating inside, in case you want to sit and gaze at the river, or the beach far away.

And then take a break from the all natural vista to enjoy some human-made landscaping adjacent to the lobby area.

Evenings are best spent at the beach, which could give you a good sunset when in the mood. If you go early enough, you can get the chairs, and/or a mat and watch the waves for a few hours. The sea is choppy with sharp shelves, so they don’t allow you to wade in.

You could also walk along endlessly. This point where the Kappil river, which you saw earlier right next to those red seating areas, touches the sea. At low tide you can walk across and see the Bekal cliff.

Eat

Backwater Cafe is the main restaurant at Taj Bekal. This is where all the package meals are served. They also have a bar named Ivory and and a couple of other restaurants – By The Bay, and Grills’ N’ More.

The food, specially the a la carte, was only average, and we have had better Kerala food at other Taj properties in Kerala. The buffet, at Rs.2000 + tax in that sense is better, because you at least get a few more options.

This is where they serve high tea from 4.30 to 5.30. They do get a few dishes right here, and yes, there is usually a rush. India does not leave its scarcity mindset at the Taj gates.

We almost dropped in at By the Bay, which does look pretty, but then decided against it and had a buffet dinner at Backwater Cafe.

On the day we stepped outside the property, this was our lunch spot. It’s only about 15-20 kms from the property.

You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with some excellent local fare. We had kanji (rice gruel) of two kinds – Neykanji (with a liberal ghee garnish) and Pazhamkanji (a day old, mixed with curd) – both delicious in different ways. And squid and prawns and a fish fry. Fantastic meal for around Rs.1300.

See/Do

The idea was to do nothing, so we don’t have much happening here, except for the amazing Bekal Fort, around 15 min from Taj Bekal. Carry cash for the Rs.25 entrance fee. The QR code wasn’t working when we visited, the only glitch in the otherwise well-maintained site.

Keep at least a couple of hours for this, and carry an umbrella with you. A hot sun and rain are both possibilities within those two hours!

We went anti-clockwise, and I think that was a good decision.

There are pretty nooks everywhere, and if you get lucky, you’ll find a few not occupied by local lovebirds!

Something very heartening that we saw while we were there. A large group of transgenders seemed to be taking a vacation there too – they were making reels and having a good time.

You can also see the beach down below.

There has been quite some effort on the gardening here. They have thoroughly used the natural flora, and then added some highlights. Excellent work.

Some of the structures are still being used by the staff.

This is closer to the end of the anti-clockwise journey. I am sure there is a splendid view from that turret, but we skipped.

To us, the highlight was the detour from the path that you have to take around mid-circle. Walk down a bit.

And you’ll get closer to this view below. Walk further to get up close and see the huge waves crashing against the fort and the rocks around. Much like what Arvind Swamy was doing while shooting Uyire (Bombay) right here. And then walk back to sit down and watch the waves for as long as you want. It’s sublime.