Kerala - Thekkady, Kumarkom, Kovalam

December 1 (Thursday):

Our crew woke us up at 7:00am.  Got ready and had breakfast on the deck at 7:45am - masala omelette, fresh pineapple juice, toast, butter, jam and coffee.  We got sailing at around 8:15 am.  Arrived at Allepy at 9:15pm, where our driver was waiting for us.  Disembarked and continued our journey by car towards Kovalam.

Arrived in Kovalam at 1:30pm.  Checked in at the Uday Samudra Beach Resort - a 5 Star resort.  On arrival at the big courtyard, we were greeted with flowers, got chandno on the forehead and got juice.  WE were taken to our deluxe room overlooking the ocean.  The resort had 3 swimming pools; spas, Ayurvedic centre, gym etc etc.

Went for a walk on the private beach, looked at some local stores and then relaxed, napped and rested.  Gijo cam to pick us up at 5:00pm.  Drove to Kovalam beach, which was crowded with lots of restaurants and shops lining the waterfront.  It was a very pleasant walk.  Climbed up the hill towards the light \house and went up the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse - the view was magnificent of the sea and of Kovalam.

Drove back to the resort to watch a local culture show (Kathakali dance).  Went back to the waterfront and had dinner at one of the many seafront restaurants.  Took Gijo with us and had Fish, Chicken Roti's etc.

Went back to the resort, strolled around the resort and the private beach, watched TV, slept.


Spent the night at Uday Samudra Beach Resort.


November 30 (Wednesday):

Got up at 7:am.  Got ready, had breakfast at the hotel and left Thekkady at 8:am.  Again slow driving as the roads were narrow and crowded.  Arrived in Kumarkom, at the houseboat docking area at 12:00 noon.  We had a big houseboat - 2 bedrooms, sitting deck and an upper deck - all to ourselves.  The bedrooms had a washroom and shower attached to it and were air-conditioned.  There were 3 crew members - cook / server; driver and engineer.  They greeted us with some orange juice.  We got sailing right away.

It was a great experience with a large number of houseboats all around us.  At around 2:00pm, we stopped and docked for lunch.  The cook made us what we ordered - fresh fish, daal, roti etc. followed by fresh fruits.  It was very hot but the breeze and the view from the upper deck was great.  Later on they offered us beer and drinks.

At 5:30pm, we docked for the evening.  Went for a walk through the small village and saw a local temple.  At around 6:00pm, as we stared back towards the houseboat, it started getting dark.   Bu\y now, the crew had connected to the local cable, so watch hindi TV on our sitting deck.  Again, the cook made what we ordered - chicken, fries, daal, roti, fruits, fresh pineapple juice.  After the good meal, talked to the crew and watched TV.  Had an early night around 9:30pm.

Spent the night in the Houseboat.


November 29 (Tuesday):

Got a wake up call at 2:45am.  Packed and departed Munnar Hills at 3:40am (due to strike, no cars were allowed on the road from 6:00am - 6:00pm - so we had to arrive at our destination by 6:00am.  Fast and furious drive, with Gijo swerving and cutting corners at quite a speed as there was very little traffic at that time.  At 6:00am (we were 15 mins from our destination), we encountered picketers who stopped us and then let us go after 5 mins.  To avoid further confrontation, Gijo took some short cuts through back, narrow alley ways pas mud huts.  Arrived at the Rangerwood Nature castle at 6:25am.  Checked in and slept in for 2 1/2 hrs until 10:00am.

The hotel was at the edge of the Periyar Nature Reserve, and we were given a large room overlooking the Nature reserve.  From our balcony, we could see wild game feeding in the forest and in the marshes - we also had the same view from our shower room.

Gijo cam to pick us up at 11:00am.  Walked 1 km to the Elephant park.  Went on a spice tour and sat on an elephant.  Later, we got to bathe the elephant.  In return, we got a big shower from the elephant.  he washed us on 4 trunk loads of water from a large bucket - probably the best shower we've had to date.

Back to hotel and rested.  At 4:00pm, went for a 90 min Ayurvedic massage with steam bath - a great experience.  The highlight was when they cover your eyes and drop lukewarm herbal lotion across the forehead for 15 mins - supposed to enhance one's brain - only time will tell.  Showered after an hour wait.

Later in the evening, drove around the small town of Thekkady.  Dinner at the hotel.


Spent the night at Rangerwood Nature Castle.