At 3 pm, I realised I had been staring at my phone for quite some time, trying to spot that weak phone network signal. Sunray Village, located at Bhogapuram at a distance of about 60 km from Vizag along the National Highway, is almost like a digital detox experience if not for the room WiFi. Spread over 200 acres of greenery, here you will fall in love with the splendour of the verdant trees all around. With the weather just about perfect for a monsoon break, this is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway where you can fully get immersed in the moment, rejuvenate and re-emerge to take on the world again.
Right from the moment you step into the place till the end of your break, you are in a pollution-free, no-vehicle zone. Battery-operated vehicles and bi-cycles are the only modes of transport to roam about the resort and soak in its greenness. Incidentally, for its unique concept and greening efforts, this resort was the winner of the best themed based resort award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the year 2016.
Child-friendly
Sunray Village is also one of the most child-friendly places to go to, especially for parents who are looking to keep their little ones away from all the fancy modern technology of gadgets and film projectors and artificially created snow zones and play areas. The restaurants will offer special assistance with baby food, one of the prime concerns of parents travelling with toddlers.
The cottages are all spread out over the large expanse of the area to make it seem like a mini-township. Mine overlooked a large pool that is dotted by palm trees all around. After a refreshing lunch at the restaurant adjoining the reception area and a look at the flowering plant species around, I stepped into the silence of the night. The best way to explore the place is to get on a bi-cycle from the stand and simply paddle out to sink in to nature’s beauty.
Tranquil zones
My favourite place here was the Lotus Pond. Dotted with rows of Terminalia mantaly, this place is a slice of heaven. The whorl of lateral branches of the trees grows in horizontal tiers, looking like a beautiful crown. This is surrounded by nine exotic fish ponds where you can enjoy feeding the Koi carps, Arowana, sting rays, Oscar fish, Arapaima, Gourami and Alligator gar. It’s a delight to watch the pigeons and tiny balls of white woolly rabbits play around at the other end.
I cycle down to the mini jungle zone, another rich green canopy area and settle down with a long pending book under the shade of trees. There are plenty more to experience here like cycling and jogging tracks, meditation centre, cricket and basketball playgrounds, tennis court, indoor games and waterslides. Soon traditional pottery making and organic food plantation will be up in the list of activities for the all weekend guests.
A brainchild of Appala Raja Varma Indukuri, the environment-friendly project of Sunray Village came about after crossing the hurdles of the global recession of 2008 and the recent Cyclone Hudhud. Coming up next is a five star beach resort along with a sea-link golf course with row houses and studio apartments at Bhogapuram. The international airport coming up at Bhogapuram is expected to give the entire location a big fillip. While it is good news for the trade and commerce industry of the region, it may become a busier zone in future. Till then, enjoy the blissful solitude in the lap of nature.
The drive
The drive from Vizag to Sunray Village at Bhogapuram is a spectacular one if taken along the coastal route. It takes you through Bhimli, a quaint fishing village, and Tagarapuvalsa while giving you glimpses of village life.
