Gopalpur and Vizag

The view from hotel room in Rishikonda

This puja we fled from Calcutta to Vizag by car (we hate being in Calcutta during the pujas due to the excessive crowds and noise and the general madness that is associated with the pujas here). I didn't want to drive all the way to Vizag in a single day. So we broke the journey in Gopalpur. At Gopalpur we stayed in OTDC for two nights. In Vizag we had to split our stay between two properties. On day 1 we got reservation in Haritha Beach Resort, which is the property of APTDC in Rishikonda. But for day two and three we had to settle for ITC's Grand Bay, which is in Vizag near Ramkrishna Beach. 

Here is the basic data for the route. Total journey is 38495 - 36730 = 1865 km . Journey time approximately 15 hours. 

14th October, 2018	Home	5 am	36730 km
14th October, 2018	BBSR	1.15 am	37175 km
14th October, 2018		Filled 30.32 lit @ Rs 2452.89
14th October, 2018	Gopalpur OTDC	3.30 pm	37336
15th October, 2018	Gopalpur	9 am	37336
15th October, 2018	APTDC Haritha	1.15 pm	37601
16th October, 2018	APTDC Haritha	10.20 am	37601
16th October, 2018	ITC Grand Bay	10.45 am	37613
18th October, 2018	ITC Grand Bay	9.15 am	37613
18th October, 2018		Filled 25.38 lit
18th October, 2018	Tangi	2.15 pm	37971
18th October, 2018		Filled 28.35
19th October, 2018	Home	12.15 am	38495

The return journey took 15 hours. But we have to consider a few factors - it got dark from Bhubaneswar, which affected speed. Near Belda there was serious traffic jam due to Dussera. We lost close to an hour. At Kolaghat we stopped for dinner for another 45 minutes or so.

While going had to take a short nap near a tea stall. While Monisha drank tea, I slept in the car. 

The hotels and what we thought of them

OTDC Gopalpur - fantastic private beach, huge property but pathetic upkeep. Very unprofessionally managed. Food is terrible. OTDC Barkul is far superior. 

APTDC Haritha - Fantastic location. Best view in Vizag/Rishikonda. Excellent restaurant. There is a bar called Vihar which has a wonderful view overlooking the sea and great food. Ideal for sipping beer. 

ITC Grand Bay - Got a great deal through MMT. Good hotel. Excellent and affordable restaurants. Decent breakfast spread. Great room albeit a little small. Overall experience very nice. But the location is not great compared to APTDC Rishikonda. 

ITC Grand Bay lobby