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Posts tagged ‘kerala’

16
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (a journey ends)

:: Galleries – Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (cont’d…4)

From Alleypey (see last post), we began our return leg, but, first going via Pathiramanal Island – an island known for being home to many migratory birds. By that time, it was getting late afternoon, and the waters sparkled in the late evening sun…, ending with a fiery sunset – all made it a trip of a lifetime. Kerala, truly is God’s Own Country!

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A firey sunset brings a spectacular day to an end, but with memories to cherish forever

A fiery sunset brings a spectacular day to an end, but with memories to cherish forever

In this album:
Pathiramanal Island - an island in the midst of the backwaters is home to many migratory birds Large number of birds seen on the island Were it not for the cackle, it'd be hard to spot the birds A picture postcard view - houseboats criss-cross the backwaters
Gateway to the backwaters, Kerala Almost like a convoy of houseboats... Houseboats shine in the late afternoon sunlight (Kerala) Houseboats stand anchored - possibly for a night, in the pristine surroundings of Kerala's backwaters
A houseboat makes its way, as the sun begins to go down The water on the ripples shimmers in the sunlight Sparkling water... Pathiramanal Island acts as a backdrop for the shimmering waters
Water weeds once again begin to appear Shimmer and shine... More shimmer and shine, as the sun gets lower... ...and some more shimmer
More shimmering waters... Birds wait patiently for a possible meal Another large bird, spotted on the backwaters (Almost like a) Floating garden
The shimmer adds a nice glow to the silhouette of the water weeds Nearing civilization - the town of Kumarakom 'Floating Garden' Floating garden and shimmering waters...
Luxury resorts - in this nature's paradise Luxury Resorts - have the best locations! 5-star cottages situated on the banks of backwater ways Views like these are enough to invite tourists to Kerala (and yes, it's worth it)
Openings in the weeds left by the passage of houseboat(s) Locals travel by smaller boats, even as the tourist(y) houseboats wait by the side at Kumarakom, Kerala Backwaters and houseboats - that's what Kumarakom is all about! Backwaters and houseboats - that's what Kumarakom is all about!
Brightly coloured houses stand out amidst the serenity of the backwaters This side up?! A beautiful houseboat stands reflected in the still waters A houseboat appears to have been locked-in by the water plants Ahoy - land in sight. Arriving back at port...
Ripples on the water
After the amazing houseboat trip on the backwaters, we headed to the last stop – Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary – before the fiery sun set on this wonderful day.
It's a bird! It's a turkey (?) The bird sanctuary is adjacent to the backwaters...and offers a tropical environment Some interesting flowers along the path... Orchid-like flowers at the Kumarakom bird sanctuary
It's a nice, loooo....oong walk thro' the woods, as you hear a variety of birds up in the trees Close-up of the water-weed plant (seen in the backwaters) Pretty white flowers Now, that's a beautiful Kerala landscape!
A lush green expanse of paddy fields...as we head back Birds fly around in the lush fields Watching the birds in the paddy fields A fiery sunset provides a perfect end to the day
Sunset in God's Own Country (i.e. Kerala) A pink lotus brightens up a pond (at Kumarakom)

9
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Kumarakom, Sailing The Backwater Country

:: Galleries – Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (cont’d…2)

After boarding our houseboat and on settling onto the homely deck, we set sail over the famed backwaters of Kumarkom. Nothing in the guide books can prepare you for what you see and experience – calm, peace, tranquility, birds, beautiful houses along the banks…see for yourself with this set of photos.

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Beautiful backwaters at Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom

Houseboats on the backwaters, Kumarakom

In this album:
Smart luxury resorts are situated at prime locations (as expected) Luxury resorts, framed by the houseboat window Greenery, a cocunut tree bends to touch the waters! The scenic backwaters of Kerala
Cozy cottages hide amidst the greenery Houseboats take different routes, through the backwaters Bird watching... A bird perches on a wooden mast, probably waiting to feed on the fish or vegetation
A white heron wanders amidst the vegetation More birds (we later learned that the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is near by) Birds seem to thrive in this rich, natural ecosystem Backwater Scenery, Kumarakom, Kerala
Framed by the beauty! A heron scours around, possibly for a fresh meal (Kumarkom, Kerala) A beautiful heron in natural surroundings (Kumarakom, Kerala) More birds...what a pleasure!
Coconut Highway! Waterways lined by coconut trees - a perfect Kerala landscape! Fresh and clean. That's what the greens make you feel! Almost picture perfect! A water taxi, maybe? Delicious fish curry (Kerala style, naturally). Yum!
Feels like another planet! Beautiful beauty of the backwaters of Kerala! And, some more birds (don't know which it is though) Tranquility - beautiful backwaters of Kerala! Freshly scooped coconut - love the taste of that!

There are lots of pics in this album, so more in the next post…

9
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Kumarakom, The Backwater Country

:: Galleries – Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country

After the amazing landscaped tea plantations of Munnar, the scenic drive to Thekkady, and the serenity of Periyar Lake, it was time to head to the last leg of the journey: Kumarakom/Kottayam, the place renowned for the backwaters of Kerala.

The resort where we set base was in a quiet, laid back vicinity, allowing you time to watch life go by at a pace of it’s own, hear the soft ripples of the backwaters lap against the shores as a kingfisher waits amidst the greenery to catch it’s next meal…

The trip on the backwaters in, what else, but a beautiful houseboat, was nothing short of spectacular, and here’s the set of pictures from this album.

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Houseboats on the backwaters, Kumarakom

Houseboats on the backwaters, Kumarakom

In this album:
At the resort, overlooking the backwaters in a 'tropical' setting - the air thick with the humidity The Balcony (Verandah), overlooks the backwaters A Papaya Tree - brings the tropical feel A Hibiscus adds a dash of red amidst the greens
Driving by the lush paddy fields Driving by the lush paddy fields... The fresh green paddy is like a carpet... Wild flowers break the monotony of the paddy fields...
Through the paddy fields... Beautiful flowers bloom on the weeds (water hyacinth?) Setting sail in our houseboat (after a longish-hunt to strike a good deal!) The backwaters are an important lifeline in the region

There are lots of pics in this album, so more in the next post…

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