It was a much awaited trip in Dec 2015. Also weddings are a great excuse to visit any place and if they set up weddings in exotic locations, one should never give it a miss. Similar to my friend's wedding in Goa - it was more about Goa tourism than actually spending time at the wedding ceremony. Knowing all of these history, family warned us enough that we should not be missing any single ceremony :D And trust me, we didnt.
Started on Friday evening from Bangalore via Kochuvelli Express. Initially the idea was to go till Alleppey as the wedding festivities were not going to start till Sunday. This is best part if the wedding is on Monday. :) Intially my in laws were hesitant but then also joined us. Hence had to redo the logistics. Being a weekend and season in Alleppey, i had to call up numerous places but Hotel Seaside had good offer and the staff was very courteous
It was closer to the railway station and to the beach. So morning we reached at 5 am and reached the hotel. We dropped our luggage and went in search of Chai & masala bun (oh yumm it was ) Satisfied! :) Then headed to the beach.
It was just beautiful and close to the Pier.
We spent about an hour and came back. We took turns to freshen up and then headed to a local shop for authentic kerala dishes (of course veg! )
I also had called Santosh who arranged for Shikhara for 4 of us. I guess we paid 3k for the entire sight seeing. Which i believe is a good deal for a shikhara exclusive for us and for about 6+ hours.
One thing about Kerala is they treat all their visitors very well. You dont have to bargain they are very reasonable, you dont have to shell even a buck more than what you had agreed for.
Santosh asked us to get into an auto, he directed the auto to the place where we would start the boat trip. And funny how he recognized us. God knows!
Generally i am really fussy in terms of what all i want to visit. But the whole atmosphere somehow made me relax. It was the air i guess. Also with elderly folks, I didnt want an hectic trip.
We started near the Rajiv Jetty and went ahead straight thought lot of boat houses. Then to the Meenampally Lake and then around the rice farms R-Block.
Sometimes we felt we are going in circles, all places were beautiful and even not a single sight was an eye sore. Just enjoy the wind. It did feel sunny but it is that sun and warmth that outsiders come here for.
Tips: Start early if you are going to engage a shikhara for yourself. Because when we were returning our shikha felt like life boat against all titanics. So many houseboats going into the waterways when we were returning. Which means more serenity and leisure (trust me it translates to no traffic ;D )
We did stop for some snacks, coconut water and for lunch (trust the guy when he says he wants to stop for lunch and place where he will stop ... listen to him. Plus i believe there are only few places as options. Esp if you are a vegetarian)
Do watch out for diff species of birds. It was simply a visual treat.
We completed the water journey by 3 pm and headed out to station. Took a train to cochin at around 5 pm. There are many passengers and local express. Otherwise you do have volve buses plying between the place. The train reached at around 6 and we were in the designated holiday home at 7pm.
This is one of the best trips I have had. Leisure had never been trademark of my travel but it was definitely a difference and lovely experience.
Started on Friday evening from Bangalore via Kochuvelli Express. Initially the idea was to go till Alleppey as the wedding festivities were not going to start till Sunday. This is best part if the wedding is on Monday. :) Intially my in laws were hesitant but then also joined us. Hence had to redo the logistics. Being a weekend and season in Alleppey, i had to call up numerous places but Hotel Seaside had good offer and the staff was very courteous
It was just beautiful and close to the Pier.
We spent about an hour and came back. We took turns to freshen up and then headed to a local shop for authentic kerala dishes (of course veg! )
I also had called Santosh who arranged for Shikhara for 4 of us. I guess we paid 3k for the entire sight seeing. Which i believe is a good deal for a shikhara exclusive for us and for about 6+ hours.
One thing about Kerala is they treat all their visitors very well. You dont have to bargain they are very reasonable, you dont have to shell even a buck more than what you had agreed for.
Santosh asked us to get into an auto, he directed the auto to the place where we would start the boat trip. And funny how he recognized us. God knows!
Generally i am really fussy in terms of what all i want to visit. But the whole atmosphere somehow made me relax. It was the air i guess. Also with elderly folks, I didnt want an hectic trip.
We started near the Rajiv Jetty and went ahead straight thought lot of boat houses. Then to the Meenampally Lake and then around the rice farms R-Block.
Sometimes we felt we are going in circles, all places were beautiful and even not a single sight was an eye sore. Just enjoy the wind. It did feel sunny but it is that sun and warmth that outsiders come here for.
Tips: Start early if you are going to engage a shikhara for yourself. Because when we were returning our shikha felt like life boat against all titanics. So many houseboats going into the waterways when we were returning. Which means more serenity and leisure (trust me it translates to no traffic ;D )
We did stop for some snacks, coconut water and for lunch (trust the guy when he says he wants to stop for lunch and place where he will stop ... listen to him. Plus i believe there are only few places as options. Esp if you are a vegetarian)
Do watch out for diff species of birds. It was simply a visual treat.
We completed the water journey by 3 pm and headed out to station. Took a train to cochin at around 5 pm. There are many passengers and local express. Otherwise you do have volve buses plying between the place. The train reached at around 6 and we were in the designated holiday home at 7pm.
This is one of the best trips I have had. Leisure had never been trademark of my travel but it was definitely a difference and lovely experience.
