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| Awesome Cochin |
I took the last of my coffee at the restaurant of
The Gateway Hotel, Ernakulam and looked at my friend Tommy Singh with whom I had gone to this amazing twin city of Cochin and Ernakulam. He looked back at me and nodded as a signal to leave for a walk on scenic
Marine Drive Walkway on Lake Vembanad, a mini ocean in itself!.
We strolled along, passing through shops, happy locals and tourists from all over the world, ferryboats scuttling backwards and forwards and a cool lake breeze caressing our cheeks.
For the past 2 days we had been enjoying exotic city of
Ernakulam and Fort Cochin, now a world heritage site. The experience had been mesmerizing with an experience of cultural diversity – winding streets, shady trees, Kathakali dance, modern Indian art, 500-year-old Portuguese houses, mosques, a tiny Jewish community with ancient roots and awesome Kerala cuisine.
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| Bolgatty Island Palace |
Later we proceeded toward High Court Boat Jetty to take a ferry to Bolgatty Island to attend a private lunch hosted by by an ex-colleague of mine, Mr. Kurup. It took us 20 minutes to reach the Island. The venue was 5 star The Bolgatty Island Resort, on the lake.
My goodness, what a place! What a location! It was a beautiful colonial structure. The cottages were alluring, some on elevated support overlooking the lake.
Next day early we left to fulfill my cherished dream to visit-
Cherai Beach - A rare blend of the Beach and the backwaters!
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| Cherai Beach Resorts. |
The 30 Kms drive was panoramic and soon we were at our beach and backwater hotel-
Cherai Beach Resorts. The resort was really impressive tucked in the coconut and palm groove facing beach and backwater. An amazing location indeed!
After a cup of strong Kerala coffee, we headed for the beach. I was spellbound! At the first glance, I knew this was of the best beaches in Kerala.
It was on the northern end of
Vypin Island. A striking 10 kms of long golden beach was very clean, shallow and evoked a sudden irresistible temptation for swimming and sunbathing. I was told Dolphins were occasionally seen there.
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| Cherai Beach |
The beach had the calm serene Backwaters on the other side and the land was filled with coconut trees which made this a very unique and precious gift of the Mother Nature. I agreed with it being called as
"The Princess of the Arabian Sea”. The scenic beauty and the traditional outlook was dramatic. The air was spelling harmony and a perfect balance of nature.
A hideaway of unique ambiance.
We were back on the beach at twilight. The night was creeping in making the beach an awesome mystic place. The mask Lamps on the beach making night beautiful. I joined Tommy Singh who was quenching his thirst with tender coconuts
The next day was an another world for us. We witnessed the most beautiful stretches of lovely golden beache of soft sand facing the Arabian sea , an azure sky and warm clear sea. It was tempting....and we jumped to take a dip, went on indulging our self with sea...the waves sweeping us off. We just spent may be 4 hours of time lazing on the beach and just relaxed. For those who seek refuge from the stress and pollution of modern civilization, I thought Cherai beach was a heaven, serene, unspoilt and eternal.
Life is not a destination but a journey...
We left the following day in our quest for the hidden treasure of nature. A rare and never heard of “Sandalwood Forest” and an archaeological pre-historic stone age wonder MARAYOOR near Munnar in Idduku district...
For complete details on Cohin and Cherai Beach visit Kerala Tourism website:
http://www.keralatourism.org/