Kolkata to Bakkhali / Henry Island / Jammu Deep by Bike on NH-117 | Perfect for peaceful weekend

Day 1: 2nd October 2015

 6:00 AM

We started our journey from Salt Lake, Kolkata at 6:00 AM.
As per our plan we took NH-117, reached Diamond Harbor by 8:30 AM where we took a halt of 20 minutes and started again for Bakkhali. Reached Namkhana Jetty (Hatania-Doania river) by 9:30 AM where we took a local jetty to reach other side. Local jetty charges Rs. 1 / head and Rs. 20 for Bike. After reaching other side of river we again had to drive for 23 KM, as road was quite good and there was no rush, we were able to make it in 15 minutes.

10:30 AM

We booked 2 beds and 1 locker in "Balaka Lodge" and took rest for hours.

02:00 PM

After taking lunch ("Pomfret Thali" & "Bhetki Thali") at “Hotel Parijat” we went to Bakkhali Forest  of Deer and Crocodiles.

 

4:00 PM

Bakkhali beach:  It was bit crowded because of 2nd October & Weekend.
Local people rent chair and umbrella at Rs. 10 / hour / unit.
We drank Green Coconut Water and enjoyed this evening at beach.
You will find many Stalls of Fried Fish, Fish Pakora  & Papri Chat at the beach.
We ate 4 small sized  fish pakora and left for lodge.

   

 Day 2: 3rd October 2015

5:30 AM

I woke up early morning and walked to Bakkhali beach which was really very peaceful and had really awesome feeling in natural air. It was low tide so I was able to walk nearly 500 meters toward Sea. Took few snaps and went back to lodge till 6:30 AM.

7:00 AM

We started on Bike for Henry Island. Drive for 4 K.M and reach Island where I was able to take bike in sea shore. The beach was bit muddy and had many red crabs.
You can see those crabs from distance of 100 meters but as you walk toward them, they will find dry sand and make a hole to escape. I took a bath in sea and we left for Benfish Harbor.

8:30 AM

We reached Benfish harbor and found many ships of Indian Govt. , Ships with flag of Bangladesh and of India.
There were plenty of vessels which bring fishes from Sea, we were able to see fish sorting there.
Then we took a Motor Launch to reach Jammu Deep (Island). It took us nearly 2 hours to reach and return from Jammu Deep. Boat paddler was guiding us of nearby places , History of Jammu Deep , saw Mousuni island & gangasagar island.
It was quite peaceful and awesome feeling to have in such place.

11 AM 

We checked out from Lodge and had crab thali in lunch .

 2 PM

We started way back to Kolkata , reached diamond harbor at 4:10 PM where we took rest for few minutes , 2nd halt we took in Swaminarayan temple(near Joka) and reached Salt lake, Kolkata by 6 PM.

Journey was quite good . NH-117 is narrow but has very few turns so we were able to maintain average speed of 65 to 70 KM/ Hour.
We got Jam near Amtala because of local market in early morning and evening time.
 Really nice place to spend weekend and relax yourself in pollution free & peaceful place

Summary:

Duration: 2 days 1 night.(2^nd October 2015 6 AM to 3^rd October 2015 6 PM)
K.M traveled: 300 ( up/down/visits to nearby places at Bakkhali)
Budget for 2 people: 3000 (including food, petrol, shopping and lodging)
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/photography-sunny/sets/72157659446591431

               Please comment if you have any question for me  :)