A trip to Kerala - God's own country

Early morning view of the backwaters - Kumarakom 

“Welcome to the gods own country” – the manager of the resort at Munnar said, courteously, but more like it was part of the package. 

God's own country, for the uninitiated, is the way the locals describe Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, one of the most attracted tourist destination in India, with its beaches, hill stations, backwaters, birds and wild life sanctuaries etc.

Wall painting by a local artist - Thekkady 

“Thanks for the warm welcome, but incidentally I am coming from gods own country” – I said, rather mischievously.

"From where exactly?" the Manager was rather confused, and asked. The answer emerged from the split millisecond silence; "You are right, it doesn’t matter" was his response.

I mean the God (if you believe in one) should be omnipresent :-) 

We both exchanged smile, with an understanding.

That was a real quick introduction with the property manager. But a real introduction, I mean we had both touched our inner voice. He was kind of person I like, with a basic understanding of things, sense of humor and ability to connect.

Chinese net at the sunset - Kochi

I was thinking "God is everywhere, especially where you don’t think He will be. And if we know that God is out there, what’s stopping us from finding Him? God appears to us in a different place, a different form, a different voice every day. Where will you see Him?"

Don't really know what was the interpretation of this guy, but seems I had touched the chords...

That was a great start for the year-end vacation in Kerala.

Backwaters of Kerala at sunset - Kumarakom

What a year it has been ! From taking keen interest in farming, a memorable trek into the grand Himalayas, re-connecting with old friends, having a heart to heart talk with people who matter, being part of the software development team that delivered advertisements worth USD 20 billion this year over the internet, and last but not the least, losing weight, gaining physical fitness & coming back in shape.

This year needed a grand farewell. And a trip to Kerala was my way of doing the farewell.

Fall colors in India, Near Mattupatti Dam - Munnar

We started our journey on 26th December, and came back on 31st, a 6 day vacation in the God's own country. Depending on who you are, and how you express yourself, this can be one liner statement, just stating the facts.

But then everyone is different.

Flower at the Rose Garden - Munnar

For me it was an opportunity to see creation of the God in various shapes, forms and colors. The hills, the valleys, the rivers, the lakes, the backwaters, the sea, the birds, the flowers, the tea gardens, the temples and churches, and of-course, the people.

Tea Garden - Munnar

It was also an opportunity to connect with the inner core, to have a self-dialogue, during the drive through the hilly terrain.

Off road drive - Thekkady

It was the time to improve the photography skills. It was the time to taste the Kerala cuisine. It was the time to understand and enjoy Kathakali, "story play" genre of the dance art. Stay in a house boat, a visit to the Tea factory, a visit to one of the oldest functioning Synagogue in India, an audio/visual show demonstrating Kerala history, long walk in a bird sanctuary, tour across a spice garden, evening walk through tea gardens were some of the highlights of the journey.  

Wild flower - Munnar

Someone once said, "Life is a book, and those who don't travel read only one page". For sure, this time I read few pages :-)

  

Church - Thekkady

While I can't express everything that I did experience during those days, luckily the photos tell the story, I mean if you can see them through the eyes of a traveler.

A flower in the bird sanctuary - Kumarakom

And some lessons learnt this time:

1) Just GO, visit some new place 

2) Don’t plan too much at once

3) Explore hidden gems

4) Enjoy cultural differences

5) Fine dining can be inexpensive

6) Travel opens your mind

7) Back home ... Plan your next trip

Houseboat with the reflection - Kumarakom

Rose garden - Munnar