Nov 6, 20143 min read

Echoing memories

Clear sky, wings cutting off some of the views through the window, mind overflowing with the thoughts and memories. Last 10 days have been one of the most amazing days of my life. The journey of 10 days was going to end in some minutes and all of my senses wishing to relive the moments again, and again.

Kerala is a destination for nature lovers, they say, and I belong to the other category. The desperately needed break from the daily routine and an opportunity to explore something different was tickling me from inside, and so, I decided to do go for the trip.

Day 1 started with the eagerness of meeting the family and friends to board the plane to Kerala. I was new to almost everyone in the group except for my family members and a few acquaintances. 9 families, altogether 29 people and I were elder in kiddos. After some official greetings and introductions, the goal was set clearly. No matter what happens I am going to take the best out of this kiddo gang and enjoy to the fullest.

Sightseeing included water, water, and water. And when it was not that, it had to rain. One day it was Athirapally waterfalls followed by house-boating in enchanting backwater at Cochin. They had the dance floor in boat-house? Wow! Everyone brought out the dancers within them with Marathi Thumkas, Bhangra, Western and a bit of Garba too.

Next day, it was Mettupetty dam in Munnar, the hill station of Kerala. Tea farms, random waterfalls, and mountains. Chilled morning weather with a cup of tea by the side of turbulence flow of waterfall! Aha! Echo point where not only screamed voices had echoed but memories too.

These sightseeing were followed by stay in Lakeside resort in Kumarkom where it was all about playing volleyball, roaming around with paddling boat, cycling, bird watching and never to forget all Dads made the while all Moms were kitchen-duty-free. Elephant ride in Thekkady made the day as we were to travel for whole day towards the capital city of Kerala.

Trivandrum welcomed us with roadside Coconut trees. Then a visit to Botanical gardens, Napier zoo, Padmanabham, temple of Lord Vishnu where we made our way through a long queue in traditional attire and then peaceful eye-capture of complete Idol through three different doors. An evening on Kovalam beach, rising flow of seawater, tides making their way through us, hugging us perfectly, leaving the treasure of sand, salt and sea stones behind on our body.

Night life had a different side this time. Wild and adventurous hangouts were replaced by sophisticated yet enjoyable indoor games. Even 52-52-cards-wali-badam-sat got 7 cards in each pair of hands, Challenge where Baccha-company caught parents in lies which are quite unusual (after all “everybody lies”), current pass a long and lengthy flow of current, gotta den? Damn! You are gone. Fights for ‘caught and received’ and then sometimes current was passed via eyes instead of hands, dancing on stupid songs, specifically whenever M tunes played “Hil hil ke nacho nacho!” Govinda _/\_ Most of the places which we visited were far from our accommodation hence the travelling part was taken care by interesting games, some silly yet intellectual PJs, riddles, stories, dumbsheraj, antaxari, Housie and many more.

Kanyakumari the southern-most tip of India. Having studied at school which was named after Swami Vivekananda, visiting the Vivekananda Rock Memorial had a personal touch. The place where waters from three oceans meet, we meditated for peace, patience and concentration.

There were some more places where we planned to visit but couldn’t. “Jitna bhi try karo, kuch na kuch toh chhootega hi, isliye yehi, iss pal ka maza lete hai.”[A dialog from the movie ‘Yeh Jawani Yeh Diwani‘ :)] Souvenir from Kerala? Re-energized by Vivekananda’s thought. Awake! Arise! And don’t stop until the goal is reached.

Being a foodie, I knew Kerala only for its seafood, Banana chips, and nariyal pani. But whatever I enjoyed in nature’s arms have made me fall for it. Must say, the backwater of Kerala has topped the list. Out of personal experiences, I found Kerala ‘ek sukun wali jagah’.

I’d say, have a house at beach side, rise with the first ray of the sun reaching to you and then set the day with the warmth of beach sand. Just perfect!

It’s truly, GOD’S OWN COUNTRY.