Kerala Tour and Travels
Posted on | December 25, 2011 | Comments Off
Kerala Tour and Travels
Kerala has a rich, fragrant culinary tradition. Here is an itinerary full of fun, food and fabulous scenery, which will take you through picturesque Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kochi.
Kerala – Day 1
Head to The Zuri Kumarakom Resort and Spa located amidst marshy mangroves on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, a beautiful two- hour drive from Kochi.
Spending real time on the banks of India’s second biggest freshwater lake ( largest being Chilika in Orissa) fringed with palm and lush green paddy fields is very invigorating. Zoom in on incredibly stunning snapshots of mangrove forests intermingling with picturesque waterways, canals and boats of course.
Kerala – Day 2
Get into a boat and drift down the backwaters to villages where fishermen cast their nets and locals climb up tall trees with the agility of a monkey to cut fresh tender coconuts for visitors.
Stock up on some fresh catch – karimeen ( pearl spotted fish), chemeen ( prawns) and konju ( tiger prawns) – and have lunch served on board.
Tuck into the fresh seafood the way we did, eating with our fingers, sleeves all rolled up. If you come back from this part of the world without eating the karimeen , you are a total gastronomic loser. A simple masala marination and pan- fried, it’s a fantastic combination with the local unpolished rice and some really spicy rasam . Also try the ellum kappa , soft- laced pallappam and chicken curry, which are my all- time favourites.
Kerala – Day 3
Take a boat to Philipkutty’s Farm ( Pallivathukal, Vechoor, Kottayam. This is a home- stay, so live like the locals with prominent members of the community where the grandfather was involved in land reclamation.
The father, the late Philipkutty, received the ‘ Kera Kesari’ award for the best coconut cultivator from the government of Kerala! You might even like to lend a hand with the farming and fishing at the farm.
Learn how to spice, marinate, marinate, and cook the bounty of the sea. Do stay overnight at the farm.
Kerala Day 4 to 6
After a sumptuous breakfast, start for the Marari Beach Resort and stay there for the next three days.
Soak in plenty of the Kerala sun, observe and learn the finer nuances of Kerala cooking, especially how to use the fresh regional spices. Enjoy this slice of tranquility till you begin your journey to Kochi on the last day.
Kerala – Day 7
In Kochi, shop for some aromatic spices and masalas to carry home the flavours of Kerala . Learn how to make the delicious and simple ginger sauce or the immensely sinful Mopillah Biryani. Fly out in the evening after a having a hearty meal with the gracious hosts.
Getting more detailed information about the Kerala India or Kerala Backwaters through India Travel Website.