Kerela -God's own country

We had a 8N/9D trip planned by Funday Holidays tour and travels agency.
We departed to kerela on 22/10/2022 via train as we wanted to experience the on way scenary of konkan .
It was a long 24 hr journey from Mumbai to Kochi so had already downloaded movies and series for my timepass
Before I start my journey details , this are the few points one must consider before visiting Kerela
+The best time to visit Kerela is in between the months of September to December i.e post monsoon months.
+ Kerela tourism has many paid attractions and is time bounded so enquire about the same and if possible do pre online bookings to avoid wasting time in long queues.
+If ur diet is vegetarian and Jain make sure you explore alil and go rather than haunting places there.
+Make sure your journey has minimum hours of travel.
+Start your journey early in the morning to experience the charming view and pleasant weather orelse you ll end up roaming in the Sun.
+ You can book a normal 3 star hotel or budget friendly as you visit hotel just to sleep.

We reached kochi on 23/10/2022 at around 3 and checked into hotel.
So we left the hotel at around 4 and visited
✓ Dutch Palace-( Note - paid Entry and is open only til 5pm.)
So the palace was about ancient kings and queens dresses and their equipments and all war instruments used then
For me wht i was attracted to was the paintings which were carved on the wall decipiting the  Hindu mythology and the story and the mural paintings.
✓ Fort kochi-( Note- visit this place jus before the sunset to get the best sunset view.
Also the plce is famous  for its Chinese fishing nets.
Has local stall for food and some shopping attraction.
✓We also had diffrent plces in kochi to visit lke marine line which i would suggest not to visit.
There are churches to visit if interested.

✓Athirapally waterfall- mandatory visit
✓Valara and cheryapara waterfall on way to Munnar
✓Zip lining on way to Munnar.( One of the beautiful place for Zip lining)
On my second day I was super excited to visit the place as i had witnessed it in one of the Famous Indian movie Bahubali.Right..India's Niagara falls or kerela's largest waterfall.
"It was a trek to the base of the falls to witness its beauty and enjoy the free falling water and stroll the scenic view around.
"It was one of the place i would want to visit especially in rainy seasons to view and feel its utmost beauty"
( Note- visit the place early morning or late evening to avoid the hot weather also there is a lot of walking and trekking so avoid going if u have any medical issues )

Also later we were lucky enough to enjoy the rains of kerela on way to Munnar.

#Munnar#
-Eravikulam National park
- Second mile view point
- Echo point
-Mattupetty dam.
-Tea museum
✓So my day in Munnar started by visiting to the most most most beautiful place i have ever seen when it comes to nature covered in green.
It has a paid Entry. Pre online bookings are also available on the site( added the photo for the same)
Orelse you ll have to wait in a long queue for the ticket.
Buses are available outside to take you to the point and then there is a 1-2 km walk to reach the summit point and view wild Goat(Tahr) and the scenic view.
For senior citizens there are electric cars available to avoid walking.
✓Second mile view was the on way point to National park.
It felt like some has spreaded a bedsheet in green in the entire room . So uniform so neat so beautiful.
✓Tea museum had it own knowledgeable lil tour on how the tea is processed and diffrent type of tea available to shop.
✓Echo point was funn and was exactly as the name suggest. River side point and some shopping Funn too
✓mattupetty dam had some adventurous activities like speed boating.

Thekkady
Heading now towards the next place full of adventure exploring and entertainment.
✓Spice Garden-Well i found it a time wasting place. So avoid if u don't want to miss your funn ahead
They wil show you the medical importance of the plants and how they help you in natural healing of diffrent diseases and sell with bomb price.
✓Marshal art- A night show  at Thekkady. Must watch.
Book your tickets well in advance to not miss it.
Also there are different activities like elephant ride ; periyar Lake boating; Jeep Safari and shows like magic show the cultural act or dance or kerela.. i did nothing out of it and trust me no regrets.
"Because i visited the most beautiful place in Thekkady.. my exploration.. a trekking place.. Parumthumpara village"
I cannot explain my feelings regarding the plce the view the feeling the goosebumps i stil get on recalling it.
So if ur into trekking you should visit it.

Alleppey
So if you Visiting kerela ..staying in a House boat in between the backwaters is a must.
To experience the charming view of the backwaters with a uninterrupted view of life in backwaters fringed with coconut trees.
Float along and gaze over paddy fields of succulent green, curvaceous rice barges and village life along the banks. Indeed, it is here that nature has spent upon the land her richest bounties.
The house boat are well equipped and providing you the best services and food and stay.
You can  also do Kayaking and speed boating in the backwaters.
(Note-if i don't want a overnight stay in House boat atleast book if for few hours and explore the nature in backwaters)

So when in Kerela how can you not visit a beach.
So here we were exploring the clean and the sandy beach of kerela Marari beach.
Seriously the beach has it own magic to calm you.
Our evening was spent exploring the local market of trivandrum the capital city of Kochi.

Today we headed towards kanyakumari. A two n hlf drive from Trivandrum.
Before that i would also recommend you to do Poovar backwater boat ride where you would see the modest grip of canals ; mangroves and a jaw dropping view of nature; Sea and golden sand confluence and along side the edge, the palm forest with its best stay resorts.
Kanyakumari is itself known for its weather and climatic view.
Visit to Vivekananda Rock and Triveni Sangam and also the best sunset point.

Visit to Padhmanabh temple dedicated to lord Vishnu and also the richest Temple in world having its own history.. A sleeping idol of Lord Vishnu which can be viewed through three different doors( Note - Darshan is open only on certain timings so before visiting enquire about the same also a dhoti is compulsary which u can rent on outside)
I had missed my timings and so could not visit on the same day but dint want to Miss visiting it hence I woke up erly mrng the nxt day at 6 to have no regrets later and finally had proper satisfactory Darshan.
✓i had also visited Zoo on the same day. As i m a amimal lover i enjoyed my time watching them.

So this was my last day in kerela.
And as said All's well that ends well and my end to the trip was by visiting the most beautiful the most happening and the loveliest place in my entire trip.
It was the lighthouse situated at the bank of kovallam beach.
(Note - Visit this place at around 10-11 or late evening at 4-5) the place is time bound so enquire before going to avoid missing it.
Well this plce has a 360 ° view of Trivandrum. A part covered with forest and other half in sea. Viewing it from a height with drizzling rain and cold wind i would never forget what magic the place had.
Hence my trip had a happy ending and flying back to Mumbai with lots of memories and rejuvenation.