KERALA - WHEN LONG WEEKENDS GOT LONGER

It’s not very often that corporate slaves like us are blessed with long weekends. So when we were bestowed with one of those, we decided to leave our own country and venture into God’s own –Kerala. Seeped in history, this fabled land has enticed many a travellers with its soul-quenching backwaters and bud-tingling cuisine. And we were one of them. Hypnotized by the palette of greens, our impulse was already in an overdrive. Plans were in steady flow. Our bags were packed. Cameras were charged. Itineraries were chalked out. Maps were drawn. Minds were made. In our heads, we were already lazing on a hammock somewhere in between the tranquil greens.

THEY SAID DON’T FLY AIR INDIA. AND WE DIDN’T.

The big day arrived. Our excitement was on a rampage. Everything was in place and all we had to do was get to the airport. But lady luck had other plans. Just as we were about to head out, the zip on our suitcase decided to give way. Our bag snapped. And somewhere, we felt our plans did too. Our biggest blunder was to get the said bag repaired. We made it in time at the bag repair shop, but sadly not in time for the flight. Air India told us that we could not board the flight since we were past the check-in time. No amount of pleading, begging or inane excuses seemed to help, so we were forced to fly smart and book a Go Air flight instead. And no, we didn’t miss that one. Finally, we reached Cochin on a very rainy evening.

A MOUTHFUL OF SKY

After an overnight’s stay at Cochin, we were on our way to Munnar. A slice of heaven on earth, this quaint little hill station is where the metaphorical phrase, ‘A walk in the clouds’, comes alive. Because here, you don’t walk below the clouds, you walk with them. As we made our way towards Top Station, we saw blankets of clouds clinging snugly to the mountaintops. We could not stop ‘oohhhing’ and ‘aaahhinngg’ as nature awed us at every step. And we were not even close to Top Station. Top Station is that point where the clouds are so close to you that you can touch and feel these deliciously, soft wisps, almost like ‘on-top-of-the-world’ kind of a feeling. Unfortunately for us, the fog was a tad too much that day, so our Top Station adventure was cut short. What we loved about Munnar was the unhurried pace that compelled us to slow down and smell the ‘tea’. The rolling hills around Munnar are peppered with tea-plantations, and one of the fondest memories we have of this place is of us sipping hot tea, while watching the clouds sift through the mountains. In our heads, we were already singing, “Oh! What a wonderful world!”.

A SONG OF DANCE AND FIRE

While we took in the charming landscape during the day, our nights we seeped in culture. Just as rich, just as astounding. We headed to the Punarjani Traditional Village and it did not disappoint. Interestingly, ‘Punarjani’ means rebirth and here, they believe in restoring traditions. And true to their words, they did. We witnessed two fantastic cultural performances – Kathakali and Kalarippayattu. While Kathakali (which literally means ‘story play’) is a combination of literature, music, elaborate facial expressions and makeup, Kalarippayattu on the other hand is a different game altogether. It’s a traditional Martial Art form performed with a plethora of weapons like swords, spears, daggers and fire. It was thrilling, almost like watching an action movie, real-time. At a very nominal fee, this gives you a lot. In our opinion, this is an experience you really shouldn’t miss.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

After a blissful few days at Munnar, we headed towards Thekkady, en route the very talked-about Periyar Tiger Reserve. The long walk at the reserve was a futile exercise in a very literal sense. Although, we did not spot tigers, our tummies successfully did the growling. All in all, it was a disappointing experience. We then stopped to make a trunk call at The Elephant Junction. It was fun! We were like two kids at a school picnic. We took a quick tour around the plantation on an elephant-back, after which we decided to spice things up at the spice plantation. We were given a detailed tour of their spice garden. They housed an array of spices, right from cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, tea, coffee and everything you'd need to cook a perfect meal. It was a pleasant start to the day and we couldn’t wait to spend the rest of it on the houseboat.

STAYING AFLOAT

Our houseboat was waiting for us at Kumarakom, a village in the backwaters of Kerala. Surrounded by palm trees, we treaded lazily over the gentle waves. Cheery like-minded travellers gleefully waved at us as our houseboat sailed past theirs. There was a wintry hangover in the air, the kind that’s leftover after a torrent of rain. But nothing could dampen our spirits. The serenity was such, it was almost like we were lost in the blue lagoon. But while the experience was unique, the stay was not quite. It was a basic houseboat with bare necessitates in place, but that was about it. And it being an open deck, the mosquitoes were a menace. We dissed ourselves for not booking a hotel room instead.

Weekend Wayfarer Tip: Remember, if you want to spend the night on a houseboat, book those premium ones. Else it’s best to plan a day trip on one.

INSIDE THE KASHI ART GALLERY

Towards the tail end of our trip, we headed back to Cochin. This time, we explored Fort Kochi, and we loved it! Whether you’re a traveller or an explorer, Fort Kochi won’t disappoint. It’s an intriguing mix of the years gone by and the years to come. A melting pot of art, culture and heritage, here’s where you can stroll alongside antique street shops or grab a bite at the numerous cafes it has to offer. We did both. After we had our fill of curios and antiques, we headed to The Kashi Art Gallery to fill our tummies. We were greeted by contemporary art sculptures and tucked in a cozy corner, was their garden café. The vibe was upbeat and the food was wholesome and refreshing. It was the kind of place that stimulates conversations and a smile to go.

To sum it up, we enjoyed Kerala. And in one short trip, we packed in a whole lot. So if you’re looking for a longish getaway, far from the concrete jungle yet close to civilization, Kerala is the way to go. Lose yourself, find yourself, it’s only in this beautifully idyllic place that time won’t race you, it’ll walk with you.