Kerala Experiences
Cochin- PART 1
It's more than just the Arabian Sea. It's suburbs are a haven for adventure, rivers, leisure and multi-cultural habitat
Cochin. Oo la la. Even the Portuguese, Dutch and other European colonists from halfway across the globe couldn't keep their eyes off it.
Much has been written about this city. But as someone who has lived in the heart of the city for over 16 years now and pretty much seen its suburbs as well, I'm going to share what I as an experiential traveller have discovered about this place, in a simple to-do format. Trust me, half of these secrets will not be found anywhere else.
Much has been written about this city. But as someone who has lived in the heart of the city for over 16 years now and pretty much seen its suburbs as well, I'm going to share what I as an experiential traveller have discovered about this place, in a simple to-do format. Trust me, half of these secrets will not be found anywhere else.
1. The Aluva Siva Temple:
Let's start from the North. From the solitude of the famed Aluva Siva Temple.
Now this is a place you have to visit if you'd like to bathe in the cool waters of the Periyar River. Not during the months of Feb-March when it's overrun by devotees and the Sivaratri festival celebrations. Nor during the monsoon months either (June-September) since the temple is flooded and half submerged by the Periyar River. Rather visit it during any other month.
I often go there just to swim in the River, sit under the shade of peepal trees and idly watch the river flow against the backdrop of densely populated tree cover while the sound of light temple music soothes my mind. This is an ideal spot to watch the sun drop. Get into a canoe and ride to the opposite bank, where whitewashed ghat steps lined with huge banyan trees give you an overall view of this magnificent structure. The area between the temple and the river is a meadow which adds to the blues and reds transpiring in the region. (pics courtesy www, since I have never carried my cam to this place as I always come here only to bathe)
2. Bhoothathankettu-Thattekad
Bhoothathankettu as its name suggests in Malayalam is the cave of ghosts. The place is situated around 25-30 kms from Aluva. You've got to go explore it on your own if you really want to have a chat with the ghosts of this forest town.
The short trek through the forest is a mini-adventure of sorts, taking you through dense foliage, but with open paths for walking. The path leads to a cave, into which you can enter by crouching low all the way in. Sadly, I've never met the ghost yet. But the legend and the eerie silence of the forest housing this cave can give you the creeps if you're walking alone. Be in a group, and of course, we're all machos. The dam nearby is another interesting spot to while away your late mornings. There is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary nearby, but it's off limits for tourists unless you manage an exclusive permit beforehand from the Forest Department. For adventure enthusiasts, the Kerala based outdoor travel group Kalypso Adventures, has a sweet spot by the river equipped with tents for camping and kayaks for rowing in the river. We were strapped into water jackets, and since a few of us didn't know how to kayak properly, they rowed for us. And well, we jumped into the river once we reached its middle. Beautifuuuul it was. There are also bicycles available to explore the nearby villages. Go during the monsoons when the trip becomes all the more slushy and adventurous. Like wading through a tropical rainforest.
3. Cherai Beach
While everyone knows about the famous beaches of Varkala, Kovalam and Marari, not many seem to take an interest for Kochi's premier beach, which is close to the airport (25 kms only) and is daaaamnnn sexy. White sands, well tiled walkways, beach umbrellas, several seafood joints, bars and restaurants, beachside resorts with private beach stretches, an amiable local crowd and a gentle yet adventurous sea full of generous waves; everything you can expect from a world-class beach is there at Cherai. Head out if you wish to sun-bathe, simply bathe or play a game of beach volleyball. The resorts organize beach parties on-demand and give you full privacy just like the kind you'd expect in the beaches of Goa. I stayed at the Club Mahindra Resort here and yup, it's totally worth not going all the way till Trivandrum just to experience its beaches.
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