Its one of my bitter experience at Chilika. Chilika is indeed a great place to hang on with friends as I knew about it when I have read about Chilika but the local experience was far different from what is read from journals and newspapers or magazines.
As it is easily accessible from Bhubaneswar, so a cab drive was worthy with my friends as it was under individual budget. But the time we went into the location it was really tough to handle out local natives. The parking arrangement was poor and some peoole tried to take out advantage by charging from us few hundreds. Its usually in Rs 10/20 in major areas but surprisingly they misjudged to be outsiders but when they came to know we are from nearest Bhubaneswar, they tried to get away. The beginning was so annoying that we didn't like to carry out our journey. But then we made our mind to go for a boat ride which turns out to be pathetic. The person bargained to take to Dolphin point charging another 1000 rupees but the most annoying part is, he haulted the boat at a distance where we could hardly see some water movement. And the boatman asked another 500 to take nearer to the dolphins. Felt very harassing. After few arguments he finally took nearer to the point. The accommodation doesn't feels to be of any good standard.
The total journey was a weirdest experience. The localites makes scene. So if anyone trying to get themselves to Chilika, try to bargain out first in details. There are people who can make your trip a total flop like mine due to monetarily benefits.
The place indeed is very pretty but the locals needs to be taught some courtesy towards outsiders. Chilika belongs to the whole country. They shouldnot take it for granted.
