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Aug 27, 2001 06:00 PM The beach resort in Ullal
If Summer Sands had to be rechristened “ SERENITY’ would be my suggestion. What strikes you as you enter the gabled gate is that sense of serenity pervading the place, it may be because of the rolling green lawns or the 500 coconut palms standing like alert sentinels or the 2 pet dogs that attach themselves to you as your assigned watch dogs, but most likely it’s the mesmerizing blue of the ocean that shimmers mirage like ,right from the entrance itself.
Its classic, the ocean showcased between the long avenue of coconut palms and yellow Alamanda. The reception at the end of the avenue, offers a distraction from the compelling call of the sea. Infact it’s a mini beach by itself, coarse gravel sand, a couple of boats ,sails, fishing nets, hurricane lanterns, thatched hut, so you stop in your tracks and go to inspect and enquire.
The receptionist with large mildly sad eyes is eager to please, offering information on the 30 odd villas and the “ things to do “ which are attractively displayed. Apparently he is a little apologetic about the peaceful atmosphere and my manila shirt immediately brackets me into a “ things to do “ person.
So I am offered a day at the beach and a day at the island, a package very aptly called the Beach Island Tango, a picnic by the riverside with bonfire evening, sailing in a local pongai, in the lagoons & back waters that lace this fishing village of Ullal, or just a revitalizing ayurvedic massage.
A family owned resort, it has all the heart, reminiscent of such ventures, but lacks the plastic efficiency of 5 stars. No suited booted managers here, Ivan the family member who looks after the accommodation , a tall well built young man, dressed in a casual Tshirt & Jeans has a ‘don’t mess with me look ,’ but I am told is as gentle as a lamb. Siddarth who looks after the food part of it , has an engaging smile and is ready to replace your parota if it is cold. Don’t be surprised if you see the cause of it all, Mr. Albuqueruqe himself, in animated conversation with a pack of back packers, wanting to know, if its safe to go deep sea fishing in a trawler. Crisply dressed with crows feet eyes, he appears to be more a social worker than a hawk eyed business man.
Extremely proud of this enchanting part of the Konkan coast, he tells you how the Ullal beach got its name as a exclamation of delight “ O la la” of the Portuguese sailors who sighted it. Laterly becoming greedy, to acquire it, they attacked the heroic queen of Ullal, Abbakkarani in the year 1556 but were severly defeated. He readily offers to take you to the Temple of Abbakkarani and the shrine on Someshwara rock an outcrop on the beach.
I tear myself away from all these interesting anecdotes and stroll into the Summer Place Restaurant, a more taverna style affair close to he Beach. The sonorous snore of the sea competes with the lilting notes of Sagara Kinara. Seafood is the forte here and I was relieved to see that the tiger prawns would not make a sizable hole in my wallet. “The Court Yard” an adjacent eatery is all arches and brick ideal forAlfresco dinning , and flirting with the surf as it were are the beach huts, ideal for the table for 2 customers. Advance booking is required for these as there are only 4 such huts.
I expected to see the retired , and the elderly. But was surprised to see young couples with infants in their arms, exuberant shrieks from the swimming pool didn’t seem to alter the benign expression of the sun bathers sprawled on lethargic arm chairs, while the cuckoos and drongoes set up a qawali between the casuarina trees.
The season starts here in September/ October and goes on till May, But I am told in the Monsoon month of June July and August , the place has a sort of exaggerated beauty, the 1000 ft. beach front a battle ground of waves,sand, shells, the casuarina trees swaying dangerously and the raucous chatter of drongoes, minahs and bee eaters add splashes of colour to the grey skies and rain soaked earth.
All in all the one line brochure of Summer Sands , “ a place where peace finds you” says it all.
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