God's Own Country - Kerala

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”

Gary Snyder

After exploring numerous wonderful destinations abroad, it was time to appreciate the beautiful home country. And so I spent my Christmas break in “God’s Own Country - Kerala”.

Located in South India, this alluring place is truly nature at its very best. With roads covered with trees & water on either side to pretty houses & churches adorned with Christmas decor to wondrous mountain tops, it truly has been a ‘Naturescapic’ tour.

KOCHI ---> ALLEPPEY ---> MUNNAR

Most of the tourist attractions are located at Fort Kochi and can be easily covered in a day.

Kerala Folklore Museum

This has been a highlight of my trip.

Three- storied museum with a marvellous collection of antiques & sculptors gives a beautiful presentation of Kerala’s art & culture. I spent over an hour here & still was refusing to bid goodbye to it.

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St Francis Church & the Dutch Palace

The oldest European church in Kerala, St Francis Church is considered to hold historical significance as it is a silent witness to the European colonisation of the era. The church also houses the gravestone of the great Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

To dive further into Kochi’s history, a visit to the Mattupetty Palace (fondly known as Dutch Palace) is a must.

Do you know as per the legends, Kerala was created by the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parasuram (‘Parasu’ meaning ‘axe’ in Sanskrit, hence ‘Parasuram’ meaning ‘Ram with an axe’) by throwing his axe into the sea; the place where the axe landed is where Kerala emerged from the waters.

Many such interesting tales & historical facts are found here along with murals & paintings from Indian mythologies.

Photography was prohibited inside the church & the palace.

On the exit gate of the Dutch Palace, you will find the pretty Jew town street market leading up to the Jewish Synagogue. The street is filled with antique shops for souvenir shopping & cute cafés to fill that hungry stomach.

The Paradesi Synagogue

The oldest synagogue in Kochi is a beautiful testament to the British Commonwealth. It is a culmination of architecture from various cultures. Being a place of worship, photography is not allowed inside. There is a small exhibition of Jewish lifestyle right outside to get more knowledge about the era.

Synagogue Entrance

Fish & Frappe!

Kochi, being on the shoreline, is quite famous for seafood, especially fish. If you are a fish lover, do not miss trying a fish dish at Kochi’s oldest & famous fish restaurant, Grand Pavilion.

Classic Art Café

There are plenty of cute cafés at the Jewish market street where you can indulge in great coffee & snacks!

Classic Art Café is one such pretty little place I found on my way to the synagogue which I will definitely recommend for its good food & lovely ambience.

Do you imagine a day of doing absolutely nothing, but being with oneself & just practising mindfulness? Spending a day in Alleppey Houseboat how I would describe it to be.

I enjoyed my much-deserved break lounging at the Houseboat, soaking in the beauty of the Backwaters & spending an entire day in self-reflection & relaxation.

You are just surrounded by the beautiful Lake Vembanad’s backwaters accompanied by Mother nature. Depending on the Houseboat you choose, there can be a halt to buying some crisps & fish which the private houseboat chef is more than happy to cook for your meal. You will be showered with great Indian hospitality & freshly cooked meals including a round of evening refreshments & a welcome drink!

The houseboat is set to sail at 9 am & put to anchor near the sunset hours. Guests are allowed to stay a night at the houseboat to enjoy the spectacular sunrise the next day.

If you are planning a trip to Kerala, do not miss out on this experience. It’s absolute bliss!

I do not believe I can describe the charm of this hill station in words..one just has to experience it!

Tea Plantations at the Top Station

Known for its vast tea plantations, Munnar has always been on my bucket list. Whether a tea lover or not, the plantations located at the highest peaks of Munnar do not fail to enthral its onlookers. Not to forget, it serves as a great photo point for the “Doing it for the gram” lovers!

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On the way to the plantations, make a halt at the Ripple Tea factory. They provide a tour of tea production & sell a variety of tea at the store located outside at a very affordable price. You can even taste some of the samples before purchase.

The Flower Garden

The pretty garden exhibits an array of Indian flowers. Not to forget, another good place to practise those photography skills of yours!

Mattupetty Dam

Once a dam..now a beautiful location to appreciate nature in its best form, Mattupetty Dam is a popular location among tourists. There is absolutely no reason to deny it!

Kundala Reservoir

Munnar is full of beautiful rivers & mountains in every lane. Kundala Reservoir is just one of them. Take a walk across the bridge & let the scenic view sink in. It is followed by a street bazaar for souvenirs & food.

Spice Plantation

If you are taking a road trip to the hill station, make sure to halt at the Kallar Spices & Organic Herbal Garden. Tickets are slightly expensive but it’s a good 25-minute educational tour of the Indian spices. You can even buy the spices grown there along with herbal oils at their store. The spices are at a good price, I found the oils a bit expensive. The shopkeepers will try hard to sell you the products so just be aware of it.

Keep your tea purchase for the Ripple factory.

L-R: Baby Pineapple, Coffee Plant, Walk in the Spice Plantation, Elephant Plant

Christmas at the Church

Arriving at this church is quite a story. For the last two years, I had been celebrating Christmas at a church. But this time I had no such plans. I arrived in Munnar in the evening & I was famished. So I started navigating my way to a nearby café & ended up finding this place instead! And yes, it was December 25th. It was like Jesus Christ wanted me to greet him first!

View from the Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church

Ayurveda, Folk Dance & War Style

Apart from the tea & spices, herbal oils and the beautiful landscape, Kerala is known for the Ayurveda. You cannot leave this place without indulging in a rejuvenating massage!

You can spend your evening appreciating Kerala’s dance form & marital arts. There are shows for the same, you can find a nearby one with the help of the hotel or your tour driver. Do not miss these in order to immerse yourself in Kerala's true cultural experiences.

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