Day 5 - Kovalam Beach - Earthly Heaven

Bidding good bye to Alapuzha was bit difficult, but dared to do that, as the final leg of my journey of Kerala was waiting for me. Kovalam, the beach preferred by most foreign tourists, was beckoning me. It is around 30 mt drive from the Trivandrum airport, from where my flight to Chennai was scheduled the next day, so it rounded off the best place to be in, before catching the flight.

Drive was around 4 hours, but was thrilling to see the village folk of Kerala along with innumerable coconut trees. I am inching towards an eternal satisfaction. We reached Kovalam by lunch and checked in to my "single" bedroom. The final residential accomplishment has been achieved. Now, I need to get a quick bite, and head for the beach, as I was not willing to wait a second. However, by then, my camera memory stick was full of pictures, and wanted to relieve them by burning into a CD.

And the most difficult part was to find a "pure-veg" restaurant in Kovalam. The reason being that as it is a foriegner's favourite spot, the seafood was prevalent, and finally after a tough battle, I got couple of restaurants who served pure-veg food. The irony was that the cook prepared food, only if people enter and order it. Such was the scarcity of pure veg people to those spots :) However, I was lucky and after getting a good veg biryani, I headed towards an Internet center, where my photos were burned to a CD.

Kovalam Beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches I have seen. Basically beach is divided into 2 parts, Eve's Beach and Grove's Beach. The sand again, was even more softer than the Alapuzha one, and the green Arabian Sea, with plenty of Coconut trees invading the beach territory was one sight you should see to believe it. I had a walk all along the beach, and you need to walk in a semi-circular path, as the beach is not straight but semi-circular. Wow...this is one of the most beautiful day in my life. I enjoyed the nature's beauty to the fullest extent emptying my camera space in a ziffy. Then I ventured into the waters, and got fully drained. The waves too, on that particular day, more than unusual and were huge. I had a blast of my life by venturing into the sea water, and the only worrying thing was that my cellphone too tried to enjoy the beach and had a short-circuit and had to be given a permanent coffin, but I was in no mood to have that overcome my enjoyment. It was a trip that can be thought of as one of the most memorable, ever since I have been in this earth ;)

Headed back and packed all my belongings, and was all set to fly off Trivandrum to Chennai, early next day. Bidding Good Bye to Kerala was bit difficult, but then, all good things should come to an end, and to the residents of Kerala, had only 1 message - You just cant be more fortunate enough to spend your life in such a breathtaking beautiful place :)

Now, I would post seperately on all the pics that I have taken and I am sure, you would have enjoyed my entire trip of Kerala, by reading these blogs!! :) :) :)

Day 4 - Boat Trip and Alapuzha Beach

I have got a feeling that I have already got what I have paid for, and the rest is all bonus. I got up at 5.30 to make sure I pack up the spices that I had bought and be ready for departure, once I get back from boating. Then we headed to boating point, and fortunately, the tickets were arranged, and we got the lower deck, which is bit of a dampner, as I wanted an upper deck to enjoy more. However, I had brought my US bought binoculars, which promised a closer view of the wild animals that I can glimpse upon.

The boat started off with around 100 people, and the entire ride was zig zagged lake covering most of the area, and on the way, we got to see some of the stunning birds and their beautiful rhythmic flights. We did see couple of wild animals like Bison and Wild Pigs. :) However, the "wild" animals like tigers were away from sight, and the reason being that the area received quite an amount of rainfall, and hence the wild animals had a water source within the forrest. It seems in summer, you can catch a glimpse of them as they would come to drink water from the lake. However, this did not completely dampen my spirit because I was enjoying the scenic natural beauty.

Returned home and then checked out of the hotel and there lied a long 3 hour drive from Thekkady to Alapuzha. Aleppey or Alapuzha is very famous across the world for it's backwater boating experiences and the special 24 hour boating rides, where you spend the whole night in the backwaters. Also, as it is in ground-0, this was a descent from Thekkady which was couple of thousands of feet above ground level, and I thought I would just enjoy the drive than thinking anything else!

Alapuzha, we got into a home stay (where it is not a pure hotel, but the owner of the building would rent it out for different tourists). Fortunately, I have been lucky so far, to get single bed rooms at good cost. I got to stay in a wonderful place in Alapuzha, and to my company were some more tourists along with an aged couple who are from Gujarat. It was so nice to hear their various experiences, that they had as they seem to get out of their home every 6 months, to a hill station. There was definitely a point or 2 to learn from them, that you need to enjoy your life, than to drag it along.

Alapuzha, is also very famous for its mouth-watery Kerala Banana Chips. I bought a loadfull of them to take them back to home, and then had a quick glimpse of the backwater boating. I preferred not to take the one which requires you to stay overnight in the boat, particularly because it gives more pleasure to stay with a company than alone. I have left it for some other time in my life ;) and then headed to the Beach of Alapuzha. My first tryst with the "Arabian Sea". I have been to mumbai, but didnt get a chance to visit the beach. So Alapuzha was my first touch of the Arabian Sea. However, what amazed me was the soft beach sand. I have been to Chennai beach and always remember how hard the sand is. However, in Alapuzha, the beach sand was so smooth and soft, I just thought if I can ever get a better beach than this! (wait for my Kovalam's updates.. :)) After taking some good snaps, I headed home after a good dinner.

I am happy for the trip going so nice so far, and also sad that it's slowly inching towards wrapping up. Anyways, with sweet memories of Kerala so far, dozed off.......

Day 3 - Thekkady & Massage

I got up at 6 on 25-Nov (Wednesday) and I was shocked to see nothing but moist windows and green cover. Oh yeah, I am in Forrest Haven. I wrote "Srini" on the window and had it pictured. I got lovely reviews for that pic, yes, its one of the most beautiful pic in my album. Then had a quick breakfast and then we headed off for the drive to Thekkady. Every turn that you take on the way, would make you to bring your camera into action. The picturesque Tea Gardens, which are very famous in Munnar, would be wrapped as if a green blanket is wrapped on the Earth. My eyes got the treat they longed for!!!

Thekkady is on the way from Munnar to Alapuzha. You can assume its a point where you get to see why Britishers came to India. Yes. It is the Spice Capital of Kerala. This is the place where you get to see all the different varieties of Cardamom and lots more spices.

Also, as it is very famous for the presence of the rarest of the rare Ayurvedic plants. These plants are used to cure various diseases, that mankind had caught because of his own greed. And if there is a place that you can get a full stretched Ayurvedic traditional massage, this is the place. And to top it to the list, the Periyar National Park is situated around Thekkadi and the boating in thekkady around the Periyar Lake allowing you to glimpse at wild animals, is best recommended.

One thing that I got to learn is that you would need to well advanced and planned, to get tickets for boating on the periyar lake, particularly it was a tourist season. I didnt get one, and was told I would get it on the 7 AM trip, the next day. I didnt want to miss, and thought it is worth to complete that and then leave out of Thekkady. So my plan for the day went bit awry but still no complaints. The plan to visit a Spice Garden, and the Ayurvedic Massage was still on the cards.

Most of the residents have come up with Spice Gardens, where they grow plants which we would have never seen, and for a nominal fee, they explain the importance of each of these plants and show us around their "pride" garden. I visited one such garden, called, Eden Garden, and it was again worth the 100 bucks I had to pay. They showed me the plants that give you pineapple, cardamom, asoefetida(hing), coffee beans and lots more. They asked me to chew certain leaves that made your tongue Numb (that was the medicinal plant used while performing operations by our forefathers), then a flower which tasted as 300 times that of sugar, which also cures diabetes...and so on and on.

Then I laid down myself for an Ayurvedic massage. All rejuvenating Oils and the traditional Kairali method of healing was applied, and I presume, my back got rejuvenated by more than 300%. I was told to get this once in a quarter, which is very remote, but the one that I got brought to halt all the tiredness that I had in frequent travelling. I thanked the guy and was off to my hotel. Next day, the only agenda is to finish off the boat trip and pray to catch a glimpse of wild animals.

Day 2 : Munnar - In Detail...

The first pit stop was Eravikulam National Park. Already my eyes have seen no other color than Brown, Green and Blue, with the Green taking dominance. Kerala is fittingly called God's Own Country. Probably you cant see no other place in India, with more pleasing pictures, gorgeous waterfalls, streams, lakes, rivers, and wildlife(elephants) than Kerala. Already I started seeing the low flying clouds, interspersed between two hillocks, as it forming a eye pleasing formation!

Kurunji BLOOMED
Eravikulam National Park boasts of the flora and fauna which no one can envy upon. It is the only place where the Nilgiri Tahr (a varied goat variety) can be found in the entire world. I did get a glimpse of 2 of them grazing the grass. Also, there is a flower which is beyond any scientific explanation, would bloom once in 12 years!! and to my surprise, this was the year. I had caught this lavender colored Neela Kurunji bloom and cover all the hillock. The next bloom is 2018, which is quite far, and I think the money spent on the trip is worth to have caught a glimpse of this wonderful flower.

Then I got down and then headed to Mattupetty waterfalls. The roads were zig zagged that even if you dont drive it, you enjoy it to the most! Also, I think only experienced drivers should try out these roads, as the road is so narrow, and still allows 2-way traffic and most of them being tourist buses, better leave the job to a skilled driver, like Priyan was, in my case! I then headed off to Speed Boat cruise. This was the first in my life, and the speed boat driver, took me to all the nook and corner of the vast lake that had a picture perfect beauty. He explained that there was a Railway Station thatz been submerged in that lake, and can be seen during summer, when the water recides. It seems Britishers used this as their favourite hill station before Ooty became more popular!! Ofcourse, I had no argument on this point, as Munnar deserves to be one!

Night Halt in a hotel called, "Forrest Haven" and as the name suggests, this hotel is suggested about a mile away from the actual road and this means, this is the only residential building and the 1 km radius is fully covered with large trees and it was as if I was sleeping in the cradle of nature. I just wondered, if we had left the nature untouched, we would all got to live in a "heaven". Thinking about my next day, when I would bid good-bye to this most wonderful place I have ever visited, I slowly dozed off.............

Day 2 : Munnar - The Queen of Hillstations

As long as I see another hill station better than this, Munnar would be the queen of hillstations for me. This place is 6000 feet above the Ground Level, and you must now have got an idea, as to in what attire I would be roaming around out there. Before we move further, I should explain the fun I had while travelling (ofcourse I was not the driver), from Guruvayoor to Munnar.

I almost had 99 out of 100 heads turn back in shock, when I had announced to people that I was going to travel alone, as part of my sightseeing of Kerala. Ofcourse, the one head which wasnt in shock was mine:) As I am not sure of the roads and language, I thought it would be best if I hire a travel agency for a cab, and it was only the driver and me. I had a very good driver, Priyan, who helped me explore Kerala and took me to all the nice places and made sure, I do not miss any fun, even if I am alone. All the fun that I am talking about is the "Mental Relaxation" which was so much necessary after the hectic workschedules I have been through for the past 3 years.

Coming back to Munnar, on Nov 23, I got to stay in a place called Hill View. It was a decent hotel and the problem in hill stations is that you dont get single bed rooms :) You must have now known what kind of people are preferred in such places, but I was determined to go and not wait till my wedding (now, wherez the bride man?????) to see these beautiful places. In a hindsight, I think I made correct decision, as I now know, there are more beautiful things in this world than what you already know. I was told strictly to make sure that I get up by 7 AM, as we had a packed itinerary to cover. Now, I am the guy who sleeps well past midnight, and not get up till 8 in the morning. But to my amusement, I was on the dot, whatever time the driver said, if it was 7, I was there at 7, probably, my biological clock was equally interested to explore the Greenery of Kerala, that it made sure I caught up with some good sleep and also woke me up on time!

Next Pit Stop: Eravikuma National Park...

Day 1 : Wedding Details & Stepping into Munnar

Day 1 in Kerala : Nov 23 - 2006 (Monday)
Its Umesh's Wedding. My Best Friends Wedding in Guruvayoor. He is marrying Nisha from Delhi, which means one more bachelor down the drain!! The place Guruvayoor, I have been hearing about it for various reasons. I was astonised, how people would still stick to the customs, of no entry for non-hindus, no trousers (only Veshti/Angavasthram) - the traditional attire of Hindus, etc. I dont advocate some of them, but the feeling of visiting one of the most revered god, did bring in some joy and piousness!

But first, it was the wedding itself. It seems that the particular day was very auspicious, and almost close to 170 weddings were planned on the temple dias. It was bit funny to see, how a bride and bridegroom were led to the temple dias (where the auspicious thaali mudithal happens, which signifies the bride and groom are tied for life now), and I almost witnessed 5 weddings in 5 minutes. The priest was very quick to make sure once the pair is united, he asks them to alight the dias and lo, enter the next couple. Even though it was funny, it was a first time experience to witness such mass marriages happen. Ofcourse, as all the brides were being tied up, as a bachelor, you do feel your probability of getting a good bride is decreasing ;)

Then comes the most awaiting moment - wedding feast. The Alan/Kaalan/Payasam/Big Sized Rice, Kerala dishes are funny sometimes, who got used to tamilian way of eating. The rice grains are as big as a marble, and the person who serves out, just empties a full plate onto your banana leaf (plates are not allowed), and it scares you at first sight!!! Because you are supposed to make sure the leaf is empty, and with so many dishes served, it would be scary to think where to begin with!! However, once we get going, I think the taste and the aroma would just make your mouth watery, and I managed to complete all the dishes on time :)

Then we waited in a serpentine queue to witness the lord Guruvayoorappan. In a traditional attire, we waited patiently, and once we got a glimpse of the lord, all the pain that we encountered while waiting just disappeared. The devotion and the atmosphere there, made sure we are happy to get a glimpse of one of the most sought-after in Kerala.

I had arranged a cab who would show me complete Kerala in the next 5-6 days and he was ready to take off. However, the next destination was Munnar - a popular hill station in the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and as we did not have enough time on hand, we had to skip one of the tourist attractions, Athirampally Falls. Anyways, I should leave something to come back again right...so I did not have any worries to make that decision. Already my eyes were as cool as a cucumber, seeing the greenery all around in Kerala. As I come from Hyderabad, which is more known for it's Brownish spread of land (Deccan Plateu), Green was a refreshing site. Morever, should I say, I love the color Green ??? :)

My Best Friend's Wedding....

Day 0: (Flight from Hyderabad to Chennai): Nov 22 -2006
I had booked my flight from Hyderabad to Chennai on Spice Jet. But then, the flight is supposed to land at 8 PM and my train from Chennai Central to Guruvayoor (my first stop in Kerala) was at 9 PM. Oh my god...if I miss that train (because the travel time on road from Airport to Central was good 40-50 mts, and more if we get caught in the traffic)...and being Sunday, I was doubtful of the train services (which was other alternative to get from Airport to Central)....All my attempts to put my luggage as Cabin (instead of checkin) which can save atleast 10 minutes of my time, went in wain....the airport staff insisted I put my luggage in checkin....hmm...further tension...Anyways, leaving it all to the almighty, I sat in my Window Seat looking across the horizon, eager to dream of my first ever visit to Kerala..

Flight reached on schedule, and it was raining out in Chennai. This cut off my first option of checking out for the train service. I have to know move in an Auto (a 3 wheeler) from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central. I know I am not a good bargainer, but this one was definitely not the situation to bargain. More because, one of my friend (Saravana) would already be in the train who too is attending Umesh's Wedding in Guruvayoor.. So I told the guy, take money but make sure drop me in time. The roads to my utmost astonishment, were empty. Probably because, that day was Sunday + Diwali Holidays, I was surprised to reach the station in just 30 minutes. This left a full 30 minutes, for me to get back to normalcy, and cool off..

Chennai has been a good place, but sometimes bothers me a lot, by making me sweat unnecessarily (due to high moisture). and probably one of the strongest reason for my liking to Hyderabad (where I only mentally sweat), than Chennai. Caught up with my friend in the train, had dinner, and we boarded the Chennai Aleppey Express, and the sign of the green light to the Land of the Green (Kerala) was shown by the Railway Staff...... Need to catch some sleep, as I am sure my next 7 days, would be as exciting as tiring....Good Night da....

Thalai Deepavali for my Sister....

Finally, my sis was in my home first ever after her marriage. She had flown from Mumbai along with my bro-in-law for the "Thalai Deepavali". I sometimes, get amused by various traditions that a traditional Tamil Brahmin family are supposed to follow, but this one was sweet. We were all again in one-roof, and the thought of my good old childhood days, spending fighting with my sis, jumping with joy, etc. came back to refresh and fill the heart with joy.

On the day, as it happens across India (more so in Tamilnadu), we got to get up at 4.30 AM, and this was the day, when no one would scold my dad, even if he blares the Nadaswaram being telecated in the TV. Its his day today :) Then this time around, on the penultimate day before Diwali, I had installed a Water Heater, and lo, another reason for celebrating the bath with hot water...yes..this is the day when the Goddess Lakshmi (the deity of wealth) is supposed to bless everyone who takes head bath (with oil) in hot water...we bless the person who brought about this custom!!! because diwali comes in winter, this is a double celebration for the kids... :)

Then we wake up the neighbourhood with a 1000-wala pataka (crackers). Yes, we love that moment when we presume we had already lit the cracker, and run few steps back only to realize we haven't..oh man...you should be in it to feel this joy!!! New Clothing (smeared with chandan/kumkum) and lots of eatables (like murukku/gulab jamoon/pal kova/payasam) and a feast!!! Any questions, if we say Diwali is the biggest festival for Hindus in India???

On that day, Nov 21-2006, I had a special guest too!! Subodh, my friend, whose parents live in Blore decided to drop in and it was good for me too! We then started off in our Bikes, buying some sweets that are supposed to be packed off with my sis and bro-in-law for their humble visit for thalai deepavali!! And we did drop in Pushkala (another collegue and good frined of our's) and had their thalai deepavali sweets as well (yes she got married feb last)... there was a scare of the rain washing away the celebrations but fortunately, it didn't last and we reached back home and blasted the crackers, now this joy of bursting crackers can last an year!!! see the pic to believe how fun diwali can be!!! :) Then came parting time, say good bye to all the friends, and the next day morning, my sis and bro-in-law flew back to mumbai, but bigger things awaited for me.... I am supposed to fly to Kerala on a 9 day "just have fun" kind of trip...i am eagerly waiting for the sun to rise :) :)