A Family Trip to Kerala: Exploring the Beauty of Marine Drive, Alleppey, Fort Kochi, and Idukki District 

Escaping my ordinary routine, I longed for an exciting, adventurous family trip to Kerala like the ones I saw on Instagram, especially those featuring the beauty of Kerala. However, budget constraints and other practicalities held me back. Then, a surprise call came in! My brother-in-law informed me and my mother about his new job in Kochi and his apartment there. It felt like, “I hit the jackpot!” We immediately booked our tickets, and thus our journey to Kerala begins on September 16th, 2022

We started our trip from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati. After a brief layover, our next flight at 3 p.m. took us to Kochi. My brother-in-law came to receive us at the airport, and it was a happy reunion after a long time. From the airport, we headed to his apartment, which was located at Marine Drive, Kochi. It was a duplex apartment with an interesting layout on the 5th floor, and the most interesting part of it was the balcony, which stole the show. It was the perfect spot to observe the bustling port, filled with ships, ferries, fishing boats, and majestic cruise liners. Early morning views of the fishermen in their dinghies were nothing less than a million-dollar painting. During my entire stay, I made it a daily ritual to go for a morning walk to witness them and to capture as much as I could in my journal.

During our stay, we were fortunate to witness the practice sessions of the famous Kerala snake boat races. These races involve a large group of people rowing a single lean boat in a perfectly synchronized rhythm. With the background music of “Chande,” I found it very exhilarating. It was my first experience of this traditional event, and I couldn’t have been happier

Alleppey / Alappuzha

The next day, we made a plan to visit Alleppey, a place that had been dominating my Instagram feed for some time. It’s incredibly famous, attracting vloggers, photography enthusiasts, and even professional photoshoots. The main attraction in Alleppey is the fascinating Shikara rides, which are a highlight of tourism here. We set out for Alleppey early in the morning, and fortunately, to beat the traffic and the journey, we took the coastal route, and the major portion of the route was narrow, lined by coconut trees on either side, with a view of the Arabian Sea on one side, taking 1 hour and 45 minutes

Upon arrival, we first visited a café named “Booster Chaya Café” with unique wooden architecture and thoughtfully designed interiors. My mom couldn’t resist ordering a cup of tea, as it was her craving. Later, we approached the owner and boat rider for the Shikara ride. We opted for the one-hour tour, which took us to the other side of the island, where we enjoyed a traditional South Indian lunch consisting of rice, papad, sambar, avial, pachri, and many more. After our meal, we were ferried back to our starting point, concluding our tour for the day. I realized that all the reviews I had read on the internet and the Instagram pictures had portrayed the real and exquisite beauty of this place. Next time you plan a trip to Kerala, it should be at the top of your checklist. For people who want a laid-back atmosphere and want to avoid the tourist crowd, Kumarakom is highly recommended.

ROAMING AROUND FORT KOCHI

On Day 3 of our trip, we’re exploring Fort Kochi with some more company with us—my mom, my brother-in-law, his best friend, and his wife. More people, more adventure! Time flies when you’re having fun

As we wandered around Fort Kochi, walking along the seaside, we couldn’t help but be captured by the colorful toy and gift stalls, the enticing food vendors, and the unique architecture that seemed to transport us back in time to the days of Portuguese and British dominance. The historical significance of the place was evident as we came across the huge Chinese fishing nets. Our next stop was St. Francis Church, where we observed the original burial place of Vasco da Gama, though later the remains were transferred to Portugal. The history and heritage we encountered were truly mesmerizing.

Later that day, we went to a café named “KASHI,” which is known for its art theme. We ordered tea, a tasty nutty banana chocolate wrap, warm oatmeal with butter and honey, some sandwiches, and coffee. The café was clean and cozy

Nutmeg Resort, Idukki District

On our fourth day, we left Kochi behind for a new adventure in Idukki District at the Nutmeg Resort, a tranquil farm stay away from the city’s chaos. We booked the Cinnamon Cottage, which can accommodate 8. This farm stay, nestled among the trees, provided a serene night’s rest with the backdrop of nearby waterfalls. The following morning, we explored the extensive resort and farm, admiring the diverse trees, from jackfruit to cardamom. During our walk, we met the welcoming owners, enjoyed tea and some interesting conversations with them, and even got a peek into their home. A beautifully designed house appears like a luxurious apartment. On our way back, we discovered two refreshing lakes inside the valley, perfect for a swim before continuing our journey. After a satisfying breakfast, we headed back to Kochi, having a delicious lunch enroute

The uniqueness of this valley is the absence of extravagant swimming pools or artificial features. Everything here remains raw and true to nature, providing an authentic and genuine experience amidst the natural world. The owner has beautifully preserved the beauty of this place

As we made our way back, we also took some time to visit the serene Periyar River in Idukki district. This is an ideal place of tranquility, where you can bring your own music speaker and lose yourself in songs for hours, read a book, or simply sit and gaze at the river—a delightful experience that we fully embraced. Additionally, there’s a motor boating option available, although we chose not to take part in it due to time constraints.

I would suggest it will be more enjoyable if you visit with a group rather than going alone, as the location is somewhat isolated, incredibly quiet, and requires a bit of walking to reach.

As we bid adieu to the lush landscapes, serene backwaters, and warm encounters, our journey through Kerala leaves a lasting imprint of the beauty in our hearts. . A family trip to Kerala truly offers a blend of cultural richness and natural beauty

What are your thoughts after reading this article? I’d love to hear about your own adventure stories. Have you visited similar places and had experiences like mine? Let’s engage in a deeper conversation in the comments below!

A family trip to Kerala…