This is a post that i was planning to write since two months or so now and was not getting time to post it , ok i accept i was just lazy . Hopefully the title helps to know that i meant Kerala, truly God's Own country . I had been to this Mallu land in the first week of Oct .
Our journey started towards Munnar from Cochin . We had hired a car and we were fortunate enough to get a friendly driver . Drive is scenic . The moment one enters Kerala we see Mohanlal the actor , Ayurveda & gold the biggest brands of the land . On the way we came across a lot of beautiful water falls & "Thoddy Bars" . I was totally ignorant initially about these Thoddy Bars later learnt that it was some juice of tree which when fermented was converted to hooch.
Munnar is a typical Hill Station with lush green tea gardens , bending roads, lakes , small markets . We had an elephant ride here . It was fun , with the elephant being so friendly n ccccuuuuuuuuteeeeeee. We had some tea & pakodas amidst the clouds . The best part of Munnar stay for me was the morning walk that I took . Initially I was very lazy to wake up from my bed with a comfy blanket . But then I got up & went out on an early morning walk and what else can I say but a few words from my favourite poet Robert Frost
"
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. "
Our next destination was Allepey .Allepey is the place where the annual world renowned boat race takes place . Allepey also has house boats . We had booked a lovely house boat . The house boats come with a person who drives the boat , a cook & a navigator . It has cozy rooms & the top of the house boat is awesome with you either over looking the water or the starry sky in the nite . Our cook the driver & the navigator were exceptionally good . These things made think why had Kerala become one of the famous tourist destination of the world , more than the beauty of the land , more than natural resources it was hospitality of the people that makes a place . People here were very eager to serve . It was one of the most memorable evening that we spent . I liked the place so much that i wanted to buy a house boat :).
Our next destination was Cochin . Cochin is a port . I could imagine how much busy it would have been in teh earlier times . It has a very strong influence of the Portugal & French & English cultures .Some of the buildings & synagogues tell stories of the whom once the place belonged too.
On our way back to airport we had been to Kraal the elephant training institute . There are so many of them there . From small baby elephants , to teenage brats to grown up individuals . We also had a chance to visit Kaladi the birth place of Adi Shankara the exponenet of Advaiita Philosophy . Adi Shankara being my favourite saint of all times , this place holds a special place in my heart .
