Chilika Lake about 50 kilometres from Puri is billed as a fabulous idyl for viewing migratory birds and the Irriwady Dolphins. The reality is somewhat different and proves that the guide books very often churn out shameless rubbish based more on wishful thinking than truth.
My trip to the lake was an expensive disappointment with a 3 hour boat hire that cruised though a flat featureless backwater expanse giving menothing but a headache and a sore bum. The best part was watching the Indian tourists dancing and posing on their boats.
Not to forget the presentation of some 'crazy' crabs and an attempt to scam me with some fake pearls prised from some muscles in a bucket, or the lurid pink balls of fluff being offered as 'dolphin food'
The ultimate goal was to try view some Dolphins. But with about 25 other boats all racing to the same spot, all with engines noisy enough to perforate your ear drums, the chances of spotting a dolphin were next to none.
The very long tuktuk ride there and back was the best and most interesting part of the day.
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