Backwaters to tea gardens: My journey in Kerala

Kerala trip for my family was like the ever-cancelled friends' goa trip. After having to be cancelled 4 times, it finally took life. 

Our Kerala trip covered 4 places- Poovar, Ashtamudi, Thekkady and Munnar. Being a member, all our stays were (had to be) in Club Mahindra Resorts in the aforementioned places. Best was we got to cover 3 terrains in a single trip- beach, backwaters and mountains.

We de-boarded at Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station and went to Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The architecture & design of the temple was surely alluring to me. Temple has a dress code- women have to wear sarees and men have to wear mundu or dhoti, bare-chested. Salwar sets or other modern dresses are not allowed; so women may have to change into a saree or wear mundu (1 round of it). As someone allergic to temples and religious places, and rules on top of it, I wished to just pray from outside, but ummm. After sweating profusely in the line, I was just happy to get the darshan and leave the temple premises, heading to the resort (an hour's drive from the temple).

The next day, we travelled around Poovar and some parts of Thiruvananthapuram. They covered-

• Aazhimala Shiva Temple (Shiva Statue) - Shiva statue with the backdrop of crystal clear blue water.
• Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Art Museum and Natural History Museum in Thiruvananthapuram- My favourite was the Art Gallery. They are all in the same complex, so it won't take much time going from one place to another. There is also dinosaur-themed 5D/7D theatre, zoo and aquarium in the complex which you can check out as well.
• Kovalam Beach- The reason I wanted to go to Poovar. You can opt for motorboat activity at the beach if you want.
• Maheswaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple (Shiva Lingam) - Temple in Kerala's traditional architectural style was so beautiful. India's tallest Shiva Lingam (111.2ft) is situated in the temple premises.

Maheswaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple

Boating is a famous tourist attraction in Poovar. We couldn't get it done as we had to head as early as possible for Kanyakumari. Same goes for Jatayu Earth’s Centre. We headed for Kanyakumari the next morning. After the photoshoot, we went on to Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Even in the afternoon time, the breeze in some places was just so pleasant. Sadly, we didn't get time to go to Thiruvalluvar Statute due to the rise in the water level. Getting back to the mainland, we were en route to Chavara village (where Ashtamudi Lake is situated).

At Kanyakumari with Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue in the background
Clicked by my father, Anand Jakhotiya 

After reaching the resort late at night & exhausted, we decided to just laze around the resort the next day.  Before checking out the day after, we went speed boating in Ashtamudi Lake. The mangroves, fishing nets, inhabited islands, birds and greenery were just scenic. Speed-boating there is of 2hrs while additional Canoe ride is of 1hr (by operators outside Club Mahindra). We opted for speed boating, but if you have extra time on your hands, get a canoe ride done too as you will be able to explore mangroves even more. 

The only reason we booked Ashtamudi was for floating cottages, but due to technical reasons and the company's booking rules, we couldn't get it. If you are in Ashtamudi or Poovar, do try to book floating cottages. 

Moving on to Thekkady, as the sun was already set by the time we reached there, we decided to just stroll around the market there. As Thekkady is known for spices and chocolates, we purchased various varieties of spices, chocolates and even coffee. The next day, we proceeded to-

• Elephant ride - The best part of it is when the elephant (or to be precise, guide) takes you through narrow paths and the leaves touch your face.
• Tea garden- Well maintained tea plantation coupled with long shooting trees are quite a view and you'll get to click some Instagram-able photos here.

Amidst tea garden

• Spice Garden - Get to know various spices with a tour of a spice garden. Though the tour is free, you feel obligated to purchase the garden's products which are sold at exorbitant rates. If at all you do purchase, I'll suggest going for something of maximum 100Rs. You'll get the same products at much more affordable rates in the wholesale shops of the market.
• Sathram - A off-road jeep safari to the top of the mountain is quite exhilarating. The views from the top are so peaceful, combined with a plate of Maggi. You may even catch a view of wild animals if you're lucky.
• Mudra Cultural Centre - No Kerala trip is complete without viewing Kathakali performance. Additional to the exceptional dance, it was even hilarious with the engagement of a few of the audience members. You can also witness Kerala's traditional martial art Kalaripayattu here. Both are priced at 200 per person for each event. 6-7pm for Kalaripayattu and 7-8pm for Kathakali.

At Mudra Cultural Centre
Clicked by Anand Jakhotiya

As Periyar Tiger Reserve, Bamboo Rafting and Periyar Lake take almost a day, and have to book on the website a day before, we didn't get time to do it as we had to head to Munnar the next morning.

At our last stop, Munnar, with the recommendation of locals & guides, we covered some worthy spots like-

• Kolukkamalai- Around an hour's drive, it comes in the state of Tamil Nadu. Witnessing sunrise here is something that can't be expressed in words. Off-road adventure is included in its cost (felt like Mumbai ke local ke dhakke in its peak hours). 60-70% is off-road, such that every cell of your body will wake up. At the peak, you can see Tamil Nadu village on one side of the mountain and Kerala's villages & tea factory on the other. Those with spinal issues may have to rethink, though the sunrise from the view is more than worth it. You can also explore tea factory, the price of which is separate (we passed on it). Sunrise at Kolumalakkai is something you must not miss at all!

  

  At Kolumalakkai
  Clicked by Aastha Jakhotiya 

  
  
• Gap Road- The gap was formed due to a landslide, hence the name. There is a small rock cave by the side of the road.
• Handloom Centres- You can buy Kerala sarees, traditional attire, and other clothing products produced there.
• Macofa Cocoa Roastery (Chocolate factory)- Get to know the process of making your favourite chocolates and even buy some. 
• Dreamland Adventure Park- You can do a lot of adventure activities here for 1000Rs per person. Free fall, ziplines, ATV rides, 12D theatre are a few of the activities that I remember. 
• Hydel Park- You can just unwind and take a walk through the garden.
• Mattupetty Dam viewpoint- You can view the lake and tea gardens from this point. 
• Lockhart viewpoint- Saving the best for the last, the view from this point is just the best! I didn't feel like moving from there. You get the panaromic view of the tea gardens and the hills. 

  

  At Lockhart Viewpoint 
  Clicked by Aastha Jakhotiya 
  
  

  
  

The season we went in, the waterfalls were dried out. So we did just 2 waterfalls and don't remember their names.

Things like tea gardens, spice gardens, elephant rides, and Kathakali performances are available at both Munnar and Thekkady. We did it in just one place. According to your schedule, choose these activities anywhere you like.

Based on some mistakes we made, I suggest that-

• You take a Kerala package which covers all the main points in the places you want to go, cab, food and accommodation according to your budget and liking. 
• It was a headache looking for affordable cabs from many of the places and had unpleasant experiences with many drivers (autos & cabs). I really missed Mumbai ke autowallas at these moments. At places like Munnar, we didn't get to do a lot of things as guides/cab driver didn't cover a lot of points. Hence as a part of the package or you can rent a car or drive your own car there.
• If you want, you can replace Ashtamudi or Poovar with Alleppy (wanted to go there, didn't get the rooms). This way, you can give 3 days to each and it won't be that hectic & exhaustive by going from one place to another. Cause as we experienced, it took even 6hrs twice from one place to another. 
• If you are someone who can't tolerate heat, avoid going to backwaters in the summer season. 

Happy travelling!