Kerala, God’s Own Country – 6

Date: Oct 13, 2014

The penultimate day of the tour was arrived. The sunrise and lake was making a panoramic view when redness of the sun coupled with the water of lake, tingling was feeling in the body due to the cold breeze. Our next destination was Kovalam which was 170 km away from Allepy due to which we left early than the usual time. On the way back to lakeside, breakfast was served. It took one hour for the boat to reaching the lakeside. Compared to lake, land was quite hot and humid. The sky was clear and sun was shining bright. After loading the luggage into the traveller we started our long journey to Kovalam. The path from cruise to the main road was quite narrow and only one vehicle can pass through.  In short, it was one way using as two way.

In the journey, we went through many cities. Full of school going kids on the roads was a common sight in every city. Kerala is famous for highest literacy rate and the sight of kids going to school gave a sense of satisfaction. Because 100% kids went to school due to which there was very less chances of labor. Our driver joked about the motivation factor behind going to school for some kids; they feel that they can later go to college and have love affair. The Kerala education model should be applied to whole world, so that each child can educate.

The roads was built and maintained beautifully. Even though it was Monday, but the traffic was nothing compared to Delhi and it was running smooth. Till the day, I didn’t saw any multistorey apartments, only a couple of multistorey hotels was seen. They adjusted according to the nature not adjusted the nature according to them. I noticed that there was not much policemen on the roads, still this state is safe. Keralaites are soft spoken and nice people. They applied their education in their behavior too.

Kerala is an example of women empowerment, one can find that women are employed as auto driver to petrol pump attendant. Other states of India can learn this. The people are close to their culture from their attire. I did not saw anyone wearing western dresses, matter of fact that the women driving scooty was wearing saree. Most of the men wore lungi and rarely pants. Women wore sarees. Only tourist was wearing western dresses.

We were driving on NH 47, it was Salem-Kochi-Kanyakumari highway, passing through many villages, cities and town. We crossed the Asthamudi Lake by Neendakar bridge. Asthamudi lake is the most visited backwater and lake of Kerala. It has a unique wetland ecosystem and a octopus shaped large water body. Asthamudi means ‘Eight coned’, which indicates lake topography – a lake with multiple branches.

The maximum use of Malayalam is one of the sign that they are still close to their language, somewhere they used English too. We reached Kollam, an old seaport on the banks of Asthamudi Lake. It has high commercial reputation since days of Romans. The proportion of females to males in Kollam city is second highest in India. There was some traffic jam before Kollam canal as the bridge was narrow and the expansion of the bridge was in progress. In the city, we switched from NH47 to NH220 because their was an another incomplete bridge on NH47. So, we were forced to take a longer route, but after driving for half an hour we were back on NH 47.

We reached Kottayam, an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. It became the first tobacco free district in India on September 28, 2008. The city roads were congested and the drivers were driving recklessly, everyone was looked in hurry.

We were fully exhausted by the time we reached Chathannoor, situated on the banks of Ithikkara River. Our destination was still 69 km away.  It was a place of temples. After crossing Vamanapuram river, we stucked in traffic jam at Attingal. Attingal has historic importance due to  the massacre of 140 East India Company officers by native Indians and the following siege of Fort Anjengo.

During the journey, we decided that we visit Poovar beach before we went to our resort. It was one among the natural wonders where the Lake, River, Sea and Beach meet the land. Poovar is unspoilt and unexplored, enveloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach. We took a boat which sailed us in the neyyar river to poovar beach through mangrooves. There was a rock in the middle of river which has resemblance to the elephant, due to which it is called as Elephant Rock. There was floating restaurants established in river which was quite costly. The beach was not much crowded.

After Poovar beach, we left for our last stay, Sagara Beach Resort in Kovalam which was 17 km from the Poovar beach. Kovalam is one of the prime beach destinations in India. One can enjoy the evening watching a spectacular sunset or swimming at the picturesque Kovalam Beach. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The width of the road to Kovalam is one way but it was using as two way. The houses built on both sides of roads were colorful.

Sagara beach resort was 1 km from the beach. The beach was crowded which consisted of both Indians and foreigners. You can get recliner chair and surfer on rent. If you have bargaining skills, you can seal the best deal. The guards on the beach were attentive and got alerted on sensing any danger. They waved red flag on feeling any danger. Following their instruction will save you and your loved ones. There was a lighthouse on the seaside, which opening time was from 10 am to 5pm. The sound of the water in the sea was melodious and somewhat scary in the night. Walking bare foot on the beach can provide solitude and peace.

After the beach, we came back to hotel. The staff was friendly and the dinner served was good compared to previous days. The rooms was spacious compared to the previous stays.

I was tired due to the eventful day. Also, I was somewhat regretting that I had less time to spent in Kovalam but no worries I will come  back someday.