After about two hours on the boat, we reached a sandy beach called Bandarkhadi, to hand over our research permits at the forest camp office. I was wandering on the shores of Bandarkhadi waiting for my colleagues to return when I noticed a rocky outcrop to the north of the beach. Hundreds of terns and swiftlets flew in and out of its crevices, and when we were just about to leave, a pair of Beach Thick-knee birds appeared, perched for some time, and then took flight in the direction we were headed, as if they were telling us, “Hey, see you at Jahaji!”The journey from Bandarkhadi to Jahaji took another two hours by boat. Though it was blazing hot by then, the sea was exceptionally calm. At the first sight of Jahaji, watching the sea gulls gliding in the clear blue sky, I could not help but think of Black’s lyrics, “It’s a wonderful, wonderful life.” Jahaji beach is almost 2km long, with white sand, and emerald green-meets-sapphire blue waters that sparkle against the backdrop of tall Mahua trees.

Camping On Jahaji Beach

by Vardhan Patankar

After about two hours on the boat, we reached a sandy beach called Bandarkhadi, to hand over our research permits at the forest camp office. I was wandering on the shores of Bandarkhadi waiting for my colleagues to return when I noticed a rocky outcrop to the north of the beach. Hundreds of terns and swiftlets flew in and out of its crevices, and when we were just about to leave, a pair of Beach Thick-knee birds appeared, perched for some time, and then took flight in the direction we were headed, as if they were telling us, “Hey, see you at Jahaji!”

The journey from Bandarkhadi to Jahaji took another two hours by boat. Though it was blazing hot by then, the sea was exceptionally calm. At the first sight of Jahaji, watching the sea gulls gliding in the clear blue sky, I could not help but think of Black’s lyrics, “It’s a wonderful, wonderful life.” Jahaji beach is almost 2km long, with white sand, and emerald green-meets-sapphire blue waters that sparkle against the backdrop of tall Mahua trees.