Going "banana" over coconuts...

"A coconut drink a day keeps the doctor away”, but at Kumarakom Lake Resort, the paradise on Earth with coconut groves shrouding its surroundings, this drink is surely sold dearly with a price tag of 50Rs, which gastronomically bombed my thirst.

But, the resort set on the banks of the Vembanad Lake is a true paradise made by man….a feast to the eyes from all corners. Bedecked with sprawling greenery and dedicated to centuries-old heritage, the resort features ancient traditional boats and cooking wares like the stone grinder, which are found all across its verdant grounds. It also houses some of the most distinguished luxury rooms and pool villas, each with a private alcove.

Amidst these beautiful natural surroundings, I found myself lost without reason; where Nature seemed to be the culture, well complimented by the hushed rhythm of the lake and the musical renditions played softly through out the property, mesmerizing my senses even further to simply enjoy its tranquility. Oblivious and transfixed, I seated my solitary self on one of the wrought iron chairs found on the lake facing lawn space, and inhaled free and unadulterated O2... …Absolute nirvana!

A whiff of fried coconut spruced with chilly interrupted the tranquility of my sensory glands and charmed me towards the Ettukettu, a fine dining outlet, adjacent to the lawn. Authentic Kerala cuisine was on display right from the famous Papadum fried in coconut oil to boiled rice and the deep fried Karimeen, each wrapped in green leaves. There was also the spicy Thermidor sea-food dish, Padavalanga Koottu, Vellari Mango Curry, and last but not the least the Ada Pradhaman, the traditional sweet preparation that ended the feast on a sweet note. I came to know of a fact that in olden times after the main course was done, diners would eat curd rice so that they could make some space in the stomach for Ada Pradhaman, as disclosed by an elderly diner from the adjacent seat. What a cool way to gorge on to some more of the yummy delights.

Fully satiated and tummy tucked with the scrumptious fare, I forced myself to take a walk along the garden path, which housed a craft center, selling jute bags of all sizes and shapes, and ranging from 50Rs for a wallet to 150Rs for an organizer. Further along the path and a wooden bridge away I came across the Ayurmana Spa. A tour through its interiors made me want to know more about its rejuvenation secrets and rich ayurveda heritage…..

The soothing and stimulating treatment offered at the spa are taking my senses all over again. Tempted? ….head on here this season, for some good times….

Think “kool” life, think KERALA

“Are you looking for longevity?” asked the doctor at the Zuri Resort & Spa during the spa orientation. Well, after the 7hours of an excruciating pick-up ride from Munnar to Kumarakom, I was game to save my soul with some lulling rejuvenating massage, body pampering treatments, mind quieting therapies, and to simply engulf my senses in the mesmerizing whiff of the spa lotions.

Monsoon is the best season to indulge oneself in an ayurveda treatment further stated the doctor. The equable climate of Kerala during this season and the natural abundance of herbs and medicinal plants in its flora all complimented, and were favourable for Ayurveda. Lucky me - I thought am in the right place at the right time.

Zuri is an 18acres 5Star deluxe property with an artificial pond that connects to the famous and unbounded Vembanadu Lake. The property houses 72 rooms, including 10 lake view pool villas, complimented with high-speed wireless Internet access, which is not at all accessible. That’s a sure sign to tell the guests to simply enjoy the good times with Nature. The beauty of the property itself is therapeutic to the eyes, no wonder so many tourists from the Middle East and other Arabian shores land here to enjoy the

pleasant weather and its hospitality. Here, guests are encouraged to use the cycle to commute to their rooms. Very eco-friendly and healthy, I must say. The property also features the Lime Tree, an all-day dining restaurant, banquet and meeting rooms, the Body Temple Island for meditation and the famous Maya Spa, recipient of the Asia Spa Award.

I just had to dial 8331 (how convenient) to de-stress at Maya and be part of the therapeutic regime, which included complimentary use of Sauna, Jacuzzi and Steam bath as listed in the welcome note. Now I know how hot it feels to be grilled in an oven for the Sauna had me sweating profusely, but once the damp, herbal scented towel covered my eyes I was tempted to catch a few nods. But, I was cautioned not to drift off …..Alas I enter eternity. After a cold shower I felt refreshed and looked forward to some more relaxing moments with a Jacuzzi experience. The ambiance was perfect for a Cleopatra session - the dim lights, soothing music, warm water and the bubbles coming out of the jet holes, and a cool drink to keep company with - all seemed to be in sync to offer a soothing spell to my whole being.

I truly felt like a Diva living a dream.............Experience it to make your dream into a reality!

Mystified by the beauty of Munnar

Paradise 2: Munnar

Kochi was still drizzling when we set off for Munnar, which was a 7 hour long drive away, cautioned the driver. The road as usual was spick and span. We passed through the famous Abad Food Court, the only mall in the area. A slight detour to the market area was necessary so that we could ration ourselves for the journey. Snacks like potato chips, biscuits and some fresh tender coconut water from the street-side vendor were purchased. Arabian Shawarma (chicken flakes cut off the grill and wrapped in a role) a non-vegetarian snack was also purchased from a street-side kitchen just to satiate our curiosity for the snack. I must say the journey was getting quite gastronomical.


Sundar, our competent driver was a speed monster, who drove at a pace of 140-160 km/h and could have given any Formula 1 driver a run for his money. He sure had my adrenaline level up. Our vision was now in the fast forward mode, because sceneries were just rushing passed by us…. Portuguese churches dotted our route so did some artistically designed quaint bungalows, which is seen practically all over Kerala. Chetan, one of the co-passengers suddenly sang the famous patriotic song “Mere Desh ki Dharti Sona Ugle, Ugle Heere Moti....mere desh ki dharti” on seeing the beauty of the green paddy fields. Kerala is in no doubt green and beautiful from all corners, which made me proud to be an Indian. We crossed a bridge that connected the World to the city of Munnar and from a distance we could see the mist surrounding the green hills. Am all set to demystify the valley.

En-route is the Chiaparra waterfalls, a must stop over to catch the dynamics of Nature. Sundar enlightened us that the waterfalls can only be seen during the monsoon season for it is created solely from the rain waters. One main reason to visit Kerala during the Monsoons, because the sight of the white water simply gushing down the hill and the water spray coming on to your face is awesome, something similar to the Niagara falls. Nirvana!! The enterprising locals out here had put up stalls with local goodies namely fresh fruit juices, snacks and, pepper, awla and green chilly pickles, which were 100Rs per sachet. They sure knew how to satiate our hunger pangs after such a quench-full sight.

The valley route was getting twisted as we proceeded through the narrow winding roads, churning my stomach in the process. Here, I realized I was phobic to altitudes. It was interesting to note that at every interception was a Toddy (local drink) shack and Tower of Protection to protect one from any mishaps. We could see the Tea valley Resort from a distance as we passed through many more misty landscapes - the famous Kannan Deven hills and some more Eucalyptus tree groves…... at one go I saw the different hues of the colour green. The valley indeed is “India’s pride and neighbors envy”. After some more stomach churning twist and turns and near miss mud tracks we reached the gates of the resort, which resembled a heavenly abode. The time was 6p.m and the sky was already dark as the black horse.

The resort is a huge property set inside the Tata Tea Estate, which was our stay for the next two days. An ideal stay option for honeymooners, the property is designed with landscaped garden space, featuring all kinds of flora. But, me a singleton - was living a Sherlock homes mystery story with loads of goose bumps to keep company with, for our room was on a level, which saw the dizzying heights of the valley. I missed my loved ones big time and made it an early night, and drifted off for a better morning.


I was speechless the next morning with the morning view that the valley greeted me with. Just wanted to kiss the clouds and sing my heart out in delight. This place with the picture-perfect scenery is an artist’s paradise. Truly a Gods gift for mortals like us!

After a scrumptious fare at the in-house restaurant we were contemplating to take a tour of the beautiful property. But our plan was interrupted mid-air with a gaggling sound coming from the corner of the restaurant. On further inspection we saw that a family of geese were stretching out and wanted to greet us with their presence. Children will love this corner. The property is designed with a recreation room that is maintained with carom and other indoor games. There is also a playground at the very top, which also feature a sunset point den. Adventurers can have an exciting time here with adrenaline filled activities, namely jeep safari, guided trekking, wildlife tours, tent camping and mountain biking. Phew, one can surely work-out and get toned out here.

The day was beautiful and I started loving this place, which was making me one with the Universe. The organizers had planned out the day with some inspiring sightseeing agenda around the hill-top town. It was fun passing by the rolling hills, the lush mountains and tea, coffee and cardamom plantations, which looked spectacular in the morning light. Our next stop was at the Mattupetty Dam which has one of the most scenic lake. The Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council provides boating facilities that includes a family boat ride and a speed boat ride, which cost just Rs350.

The boat ride passed through some magnificent hilly expanse…good for photo ops. Suddenly there was excitement in the boat and I saw the others hustling with their cameras on one side of the carrier. Thank god the boat didn’t capsize. The excitement was all because an Elephant family from the adjoining forest area thought of blessing us with their darshan. We had to bribe the boat man for a closer look of the gentle giants, who were grazing and strolling at leisure - Lost in their animal kingdom. Blissful! A must place to visit for a blissful encounter with Nature.

After an eventful ride, we headed towards the Mattupetty Market for some shopping of local trinkets and snacks. Lunch time was nearing but we had to check out one last place - the Elephant Safari center. The animals were enjoying their afternoon siesta and some were having their brunch. There were fruit platters for Rs50 and Rs100 to feed our tusked friends, who love to chew on pineapples and corn. And, here feeding one with fruits is believed to be auspicious.

Feeding the animals had surely worked up an appetite for me and was looking forward to our luncheon at the Clouds Valley, a 4Star property amidst the hills. The hotel is maintained with 54 elegant rooms, a conference hall, and a restaurant with yummy delights. There is also an Ayurvedic rejuvenation treatment offered to the guests, who can discover long-forgotten facets of themselves and engage all their senses.

The last property to be checked for the day was the Mountain Trail, which was tucked away at a corner of this beautiful land. Adding fun to the tour was the unexpected rains complemented with the smoky fog, which chilled my bones. I thought I was again in a mystery land to be unfolded later on. The property is huge but due to the fog engulfing the vision couldn’t see much. The restaurant had a very English touch to its decor and we were offered piping hot tea/coffee and hot and crispy pakoras…a perfect combination to end a chilly day…..

A monsoon rendezvous in KERALA – God’s own Country!!!

Kochi: Paradise 1

"The lure of the distant and the anonymous is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.” So, when an opportunity of a FAM trip to Kerala knocked on my door - I simply grabbed it with both my hands.

Me, God’s preferred child was all gung-ho for this trip to God’s own country, but, had my own inhibitions of traveling there during the monsoon season, which experiences torrential rainfall. But, the travel bug had already bitten my soul and wanted to convert this very negative perception for a more positive one.

So, set with this goal in mind I packed my bags for an exploration of the five main cities of my motherland – Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram. Joining me on the trip was Gracy. Luckily, the carrier was on time and we boarded the flight that took us off towards the impending journey.

The window seat was the preferred location that gave me a leverage to capture the best aerial shots of the paradise called Kerala. Looking out of the window my mind drifted along with the clouds to a World of coconuts and plantations, but it was interrupted with an announcement by the air-hostess, who cautioned all to keep on the seat belts for the air outside was turbulent. Wow, some excitement it was in mid-air. The turbulence made me feel like Kathleen Turner of the adventure comedy movie “Romancing the Stone”. Few clouds later the air got cleared and I got a 360 degree view of God’s own Country. The land of King Mahabali was indeed beautiful and green even from 786 feet – a feast to the eyes.

We boarded the bus organized by the tour operator and said adios to the colonial ambiance of the Kochi Airport. The road en-route to the hotel was razor clean and had greenery on both sides even though it is adorned with bill boards. You see commercialization has not even spared this part of the virgin land. In fact it was good to see a life-sized advertisement billboard of Mohanlal, the Southern superstar, who with his Namaste posture seemed to welcome us to some good times.

The route from the airport to the Casino Hotel, our stay for the night was interesting. In the sense, we passed through the main city’s (MG Road) market area which had some known jewelry showrooms, which I had only watched in some Malayalam TV channels. Kerala known for its coconuts and spices is equally famous for its traditional gold ornaments. And, one of the shops that caught my eyes was the "Gold Souks Grande Mall", which is very famous in the city of Dubai. It was also informative to know that the city had good civic sense and traffic offenders were flatly fined Rs1000.....wish Mumbai had such stringent rules! The MG Road route also had many churches gracing one’s vision and amidst all the hustle and the bustle was the magnificent building of the oldest tabloid of the city Malayalam Manorama, where news is made every day and week.

The pick-up bus zoomed some miles more and we reached the bridge that connected the Wellington Island (Old Kochin) with Ernakulam (New Kochin). I wanted to get up and close with the view around me, so took to the vacant passenger seat in the front and befriended the driver in my broken Malayalam dialect. It’s a brownie point if you know the language of the land and will take you comfortably in the long run. The now friendly driver was enthusiastic to share his knowledge of the island with a deal that I would be the translator for others. He briefed us that the island was man-made and created during the construction of modern Kochi Port in 1936 with the soil dredged out while deepening the Vembanad Lake to accommodate the new port. Now, the island is home to the office of the Cochin Port Trust, the Customs Office, the Royal Air Force’s aerodrome, a few hotels (Casino Hotel being one of them) and business centers. These establishments have provided good source of livelihood for the locals, which comprise a good mix of Keralites and Tamilians. My only regret was I couldn’t catch sight of any handsome Naval cadets…..I guess the drizzle kept them indoors.

After nearly an hour’s drive from the airport we reached Casino Hotel, a contemporary establishment frequented by the business community. Nothing Bondish about it! Thecourteous bell-boy escorted us to the double room, which was well-maintained with all the necessary amenities, including Wi-Fi access. The bathroom was equipped with a hair dryer, hot & cold water supply and installed with a bathtub fit for a Cleopatra bath.

The itinerary of the evening was to join in for a night of celebration with Spice Land Holidays, the tour organizer. Keeping up with the black and white theme, we entered the Durbar Hall, which was already swooning to the music rendered by the Vylli Orchestra. The folk lore created through the wooden instruments (gifted by a Japanese Music Company) was heart thumping and touched each of our souls. The night was kept alive with more music and songs sung by professionals. The crowd danced all night long and had the night of their lives.

It was heavily raining the next day morning and the wet Earth tickled the sensory glands and worked up an appetite. Our first Southern breakfast at the Tharavadu Restaurant was refreshing in every sense – the traditional ambiance with a welcome lamp and the nira para at the entrance complimented the scrumptious breakfast spread, comprising English egg-n-toast, soft idlis and sambar to crispy Masala Dosas with spicy, tangy chutneys.

We had some time on hand before we boarded the bus for Munnar. So, we explored the hotel and chanced upon the spa, the outdoor swimming pool and the SHOP, a curio shop, which was all set up in the back-end of the hotel. What took our fancy though was the SHOP of course, since girls just wanna have fun with shopping. The place had some exquisite and traditional trinkets, accessories, bags, kurtis, saris, and many other metallic antique pieces in all shapes and sizes. We went crazy for choice and ended up buying some interesting mementos for family and friends back home. This way a piece of Kochi was coming back with us to Mumbai.