Crossing the hatania doania river @Namkhana - To reach Bakkhali one has to cross the river @Namkhana There is no permanent bridge to cross the river, we embarked on a berge with our car, and got to the other side. Namkhana jetty is a nondescript crowded place, but the riverscape was interesting with a couple of roving fishermen and a few ships in the distance. As soon as we reached the other side of the river, and drove a few kilometers, the beauty of rural bengal greeted us on both sides, with golden paddy fields, and sunflower cultivation. 
@ Henry’s island - We reached Henry's Island at around 12 o'clock. It took us almost 4.5 hours from Kolkata. Henry's island is a fisheries project. Once you leave the main road at jettyghat market, and enter the Henry’s island project area it’s a different world altogether. West Bengal fisheries department has set up decent accommodation facilities, and a watchtower, which gives a stunning bird’s eye view of the area. All around us, we could see hundreds of bherys (ponds) flanked only by deep mangrove forest. 
In the distance we could see the gentle waves of Bay of Bengal, making the whole scenery picture perfect. 
A place for the 'fishy' people - Henry’s island is a dream place for people who love fresh fish at their plate. Everyday close to 35 kilos of fresh catch is captured from the numerous ponds of Henry’s island. The tourists also get their share of fresh fish, comprising of bagda chingri, bhetki, and bhangan (like parshey). And after having my share, I admit I have never tasted a bhetki so fresh and soft before.
On a virgin beach - In the afternoon we went to the Henry’s island beach. A ten minute’s walk through the mangrove forest lead us to the beach. The beach is one of the best kept secrets of westbengal. It’s absolutely pristine, with no other tourists apart from the few boarders of Henry’s island resort.
A stunning sunset - A stunning sunset was in store for us, when we returned to our resort. From the watchtower, we saw the setting sun, suffusing the acres and acres of placid water around us, in its golden hue.
A silvery evening - We sat on the watchtower as the evening set in. It was late spring, but the gentle breeze coming from the water body was cool enough for our comfort. The rippling waterscape all around us was looking ethereal in the silvery night, and the mystery of the surrounding mangrove forest made the whole atmosphere absolutely surreal.
Sailing on the sea - The journey was absolutely splendid. In no time, we crossed the river, and entered into the Bay of Bengal. As far as our eyes could see, we saw the warm blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. In the distance we could discern a few islands like sagardwip and kalashdwip. Glimpse of wildlife weren't missing either. Kingfishers were omnipresent, swooping into the water in search of fresh catch.
@Jambudwip and back - It took us hardly 40 minutes to reach jambudwip, the seashore was absolutely serene, and we landed on the beach, had a stroll, and sank into silence. After rambling half an hour on the beach, we returned to the boat, and started our way back to the main lands.
@ Henry’s island - We reached Henry's Island at around 12 o'clock. It took us almost 4.5 hours from Kolkata. Henry's island is a fisheries project. Once you leave the main road at jettyghat market, and enter the Henry’s island project area it’s a different world altogether. West Bengal fisheries department has set up decent accommodation facilities, and a watchtower, which gives a stunning bird’s eye view of the area. All around us, we could see hundreds of bherys (ponds) flanked only by deep mangrove forest. In the distance we could see the gentle waves of Bay of Bengal, making the whole scenery picture perfect. A place for the 'fishy' people - Henry’s island is a dream place for people who love fresh fish at their plate. Everyday close to 35 kilos of fresh catch is captured from the numerous ponds of Henry’s island. The tourists also get their share of fresh fish, comprising of bagda chingri, bhetki, and bhangan (like parshey). And after having my share, I admit I have never tasted a bhetki so fresh and soft before. On a virgin beach - In the afternoon we went to the Henry’s island beach. A ten minute’s walk through the mangrove forest lead us to the beach. The beach is one of the best kept secrets of westbengal. It’s absolutely pristine, with no other tourists apart from the few boarders of Henry’s island resort.
The sea was calm, with gentle rolling waves; the white sand of the beach is very soft, ideal for a long walk along the sea with your loved one. We walked along the beach among the scampering crabs, and tweeting birds enjoying the mild afternoon weather.
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| White Sand Beach at Henry's Island |
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| Sunset at Henry's Island |
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| Ferry to Jambudwip |
Towards Jambudwip - The next morning we went to Frazergung fishing harbor, to board the ferry to Jambudwip - an uninhabited island, in the sunderban delta. We boarded a trawler which would sail 8 km on the Bay of Bengal, to reach Jambudwip. There is nothing much to see in the island itself, but it's the journey on the sea, which entices horde of tourists, throughout the year. The view of the estuary from the harbor, is really nice, we could see a lot of fishing boat anchored in the sand, waiting for their next trip into the deep waters.
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| Jambudwip by boat |
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| Embarking at Jambudwip |
