Travel Memories : Kerala

 Travel memories: Kerala

 

Random Musings: 

It was in 2014 that my family and I visited Kerala. Ten years have passed, but the memories of that marvellous holiday have stayed with me. Summer may not be the best time to visit Kerala but some last-minute plans led us to holiday in this awesome land.

God’s own country, Kerala leaves you spellbound. This beautiful, tiny state in the southwest of India is lodged between the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. Kerala has been named after ‘Kera’ or the coconut palm, which is inherent in its landscape and economy. The land has been blessed with a long coastline and numerous beaches and is a vacation hotspot. Kerala is a kaleidoscope of colour and design.

Historic monuments, some magnificent fauna and flora, glorious sunshine, miles of endless sea and stretches of yellow sand are what make Kerala a perfect holiday destination. From the moment we stepped down from the plane, we soaked in the breathtaking beauty of the land of coconut palms and cashew nuts.

 

Kochi is a city steeped in history. It essentially comprises a group of islands: Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattencherry, and others. The Arab, Dutch, and Portuguese influences are palpable in Kochi. The Saint Francis Church, built in 1503, happens to be the oldest European church and also the burial site of Vasco da Gama, whose remains were later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. His tombstone in the church is quite a tourist attraction.

Mattancherry in Kochi is a neighbourhood about nine kilometres away from the Ernakulam district and a popular tourist destination. Populated by various communities and cultures, Jew Town is the historical part of Mattencherry.

 

It was here that the ancient Jews began trading. Numerous versions abound regarding the existence of the Jews in Kerala. Legend has it that there were once thousands of Jews in Kerala but today their numbers have dwindled to not more than sixty. As per some records dating back to the 17^th century written in Hebrew, the first Jews sailed to South India on the ships of King Solomon. Other records tell of the Jews coming to India during the Babylonian exile.

 

Some records say that they fled to Malabar after the destruction of the second Temple. Most of these stories center around an ancient trading centre called Cranganore, north of Cochin. In the early sixteenth century there was a mass exodus of Jewish refugees from the Spanish and Portuguese invasions. Stroll down the lanes and bylanes of Jewtown, now flanked by antique showrooms; drink in the old-world charm and rejuvenate mind and body. The Jew palace and Jew synagogue are important landmarks.

 

The golden sands and mighty ocean at Cherai left me feeling like a cat who got the cream.

 

Willingdon Island is a man-made island named after Lord Willingdon, a former British Viceroy to India. The islands boast the best hotels in the city of Kochi and serves as the Port Trust headquarters of the Southern naval command, Cochin Harbour.

 

You can’t leave Kerala without experiencing its wildlife. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is spread across the dense evergreen deciduous forests and grasslands of Thekkady and is home to several wild animals like the elephant, tiger deer, etc. Sighting the animals as they come to drink from the artificial lake across the  Periyar River is an unimaginably exciting experience. 

The sightings can be done from a boat cruise, trek, or a jeep safari. Sometimes it is your lucky boat cruise, and sometimes it is not. We were fortunate enough to spot a few deer quenching their thirst. The early morning hours and late afternoon are the best times to go on these expeditions, as it is then that the animals generally make an appearance. The watchtowers in the forest enable tourists to watch jungle life close at hand.

It is believed that Kerala’s spice connection is about 3000 years old. History tells us that travellers from various countries flocked to Kerala to partake of its myriad spices. Cloves, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, ginger, and turmeric all grow in abundance. Vasco da Gama too ventured into India to avail himself of his slice of spice. Spice gardens and plantations abound all over Kerala. Our tour of one such spice garden in Thekkady saw us breathing in the heavenly fragrances of thriving spice plants. Besides spices, there were several fruits and vegetables too. Some exotic, some commonplace. Spice plantations may also offer accommodation or a homestay on the plantation where guests savour traditional home-cooked Keralite delicacies and simply enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature.

Are you a tea drinker? Then make your way to Munnar. Lose yourself in the winding lanes, extensive tea plantations, rolling hills, waterfalls, and babbling brooks. The winding roads did not go down too well with me. The very picturesque hill station is situated at the confluence of three rivers and was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government in South India. The word Munnar means ‘three rivers. The gorgeous Munnar is a popular holiday resort. Besides some very fascinating fauna and flora, the hill station boasts of having the highest peak in South India—Annamudi, at 2,695 metres is a trekker’s delight.

 

The Eravikulam National Park is home to a plethora of varied animals, birds, and butterflies and offers a stunning view of the tea plantations and hills. The main attraction in the park is an endangered species of mountain goat called Nilgri Tahr. The hills of Munnar take on a bluish tinge every 12 years when the Neelakuringi flower blooms.  

 

The Tata Tea Museum in Munnar located in the Nallathani estate tells the story of the evolution of tea plantations in the hill station through old machinery, photographs, and curios. The CTC manufacturing unit showcases the old method of tea production, while you savour a variety of flavors in the tea-tasting unit. Furniture from the colonial era, which includes wooden chairs, tables, iron ovens, and some office furniture used on the tea estate, is displayed at the museum.

Scream your loudest at Echo Point, 15 km away from Munnar and wait a moment!

 

The waters beckoned once more, and to Ashtamudi in Kollam, we proceeded. The Ashtamudi Lake is a large, palm-shaped, eight-armed water body and a popular tourist attraction. Also known as the gateway to the backwaters, Ashtamudi means eight cones. The 16km long lake empties itself into the Arabian Sea through the Neendakara estuary. The coconut groves and palm trees along the shores of the lake simply enhance the splendour of the landscape.

 

The backwaters comprise a network of waterways, inlets from the sea, estuaries, lakes, and natural canals connecting coastal towns. The waters are teeming with aquatic life, and cruising the backwaters could be the best thing that could happen to you in Kerala.

 

The resort we stayed in put us up in one of the numerous wooden floating cottages. The cottages overlook the placid lake waters. Our fishing expedition from the balcony of the cottage provided much excitement.

 

The first-time fishermen, comprising father and sons patiently waited for the catch (all provided by the resort). Undoubtedly their patience was rewarded sometimes with a single fish, sometimes with a couple. ‘Happiness is…getting lucky on your very first fishing expedition.’ The resort might even cook the fish for you!

 

The resort arranged for an hour-long houseboat cruise, which to me was the best part of the holiday. The District Tourism Promotion Council and other private and government organizations arrange for boat rides as well as houseboat cruises. On the eight-hour-long cruise between Kollam and Allappuzha, you discover the network of waterways that is so unique to Kerala. Some houseboats are equipped with a fully furnished kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. You could spend a night on the boat and be treated to a typical Keralite meal and chill out with some beer. Yummy, yum, yum!

The Chinese fishing nets, a popular tourist attraction, were introduced in Kochi by a Chinese traveller, Zheng He from the court of Kubla Khan between 1350 and 1450 AD. Modern fishing techniques are swiftly replacing the Chinese fishing nets. 

I remember how fascinated we were by the nets. Visitors can buy fish from the fisherman and have them cooked or may even be able to lower and raise the nets for a fee. 

 

When in Kerala, feast on signature Keralite cuisine. From Appams to Avial it just gets better and better.

 

Carry away a little of Kerala with you. Go home with loads of spices, cashew nuts, tea, coffee, handicrafts, and coconut products. Massage your woes away with an energizing Ayurvedic massage available at most resorts. There is so much to discover, to experience; put Kerala on your bucket list.

This post is part of the blogchatterbloghop weekly prompt. 

The images are from my trip to kerala.