I am tired from the excitement and the journey we undertook to reach Cochin, we still have a drive to reach our destination Kumarkoram. At the airport we are greeted by the Radisson Staff and the ensuing strike in Cochin.
The streets are deserted and the silence is welcome after the airport buzz, I am looking forward to my first trip down south. Shilpika and I, chat happily through our journey. She has had the opportunity of being a student in a remote area in Kerala and she fills me in with some of the local customs.
We are keen to take in as much of Kerala as we can and our first stop is at a church near the backwaters. It is simple and overwhelming as the rest of our experience was to be. I was completely unprepared for what was in store for us.
As we pulled in towards the resort there was a welcoming team awaiting us with drummers playing and little hungry salivating elephant. Then there was the <i>tikka</i> ceremony, which made me feel like a bit of a foreigner. And they carried us off to our accommodation.
To my excitement it was called the Golden Oriole, my house bird from school – Welham Girls. One of the many surprises for us!
The villa was gorgeous and luxurious in every sense but what got us really high was the private swimming pool overlooking the backwaters! I just wanted to jump right in.<br> It even had an in-built Jacuzzi…that was a bonus. It was my favourite spot on the entire property. |