THE KERALA WALK, 08

A few days ago Kalypso conducted a walker’s tour through Kerala for participants raising funds for The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, a voluntary, non-profitable, charitable organisation. It was set up in 1963 to increase knowledge and awareness of CF and to give advice and support to people with Cystic Fibrosis and their families.

Participants arrived in Kerala on the 25th of September and were transferred to the beautiful Marari Beach where they were given time to settle down and adjust to the new location, climate and culture. The day was spent relaxing by the sea side and going on a short walk along the beach with the sound of the waves and the birds as their only companions. In the evening the Kalypso team briefed participants about the walk ahead giving them details about what they could expect, safety precautions they would need to take as well as a small introduction to God’s own country Kerala.

Day 2 dawned, bright and sunny. So after an early breakfast participants were taken to the starting point of their walk: Pullinkunnu Junction. The walk included manouevering over narrow bridges while heading towards the homestay at Emerald Isle, an ancestral country house set in the beautiful waterways and backwaters of Central Kerala. After a delicious lunch at Emerald Isle, the group boarded a houseboat that took them on a relaxing cruise down the serene backwaters as they made their way to Alleppey.

Setting out

Short break from the sun

A peep at the backwaters

Lunch at Emerald Isle

Lazing in the houseboat

Disembarking

On day 3, the group started out from Marari Beach Resort walking to the Aruthungal Church. Today’s walk covered 7 km and was another day walking through Kerala’s beautiful coastal plains. On reaching the church, participants visited the beach nearby after which they were taken for lunch to the Arakkal Homestay, a heritage home set in a village along Marari Beach. Post lunch they decided to visit the Mararikulam church nearby and were invited to attend the service being held there.

Lunch at Arakkal Homestay

Partaking in the Holy Communion

On day 4 the group was required to reach Munnar, a hill station set at an altitude of 6000 ft. with an unending expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains. They were transferred by vehicles most of the way and stopped en-route at the Neriamangalam bridge where they went for a short 2 km walk. Post lunch, they continued on their way to Munnar till they finally reached Tea County, their destination for the night.

Indian welcome

The spread!

Walking through the Keralan countryside

The fifth day saw everyone wake up to the clear skies and cool weather of the hills, a contrast to the sultry and humid climate of the coastal plains. Today’s itinerary included a 9 km walk through eucalyptus plantations and tea estates starting from Silent Valley. The walk came to an end at the Mattupetty Dam where a few adventurous participants went on short elephant rides. The rest of the day was spent doing a little sight seeing until they returned to spend the night at Tea County.

Walking through tea estates




Admiring the adorned elephant

Starting out at the Anaerangal Camp today, the group headed out on their 10km walk. The walk took them through a route with breathtaking views while passing through tribal colonies and plantations along the way as they headed towards the lake. Following a picnic lunch at the picturesque Anaerangal lake the group spent some time enjoying themselves at the lakeside, after which they were taken for a visit to the Tea Museum that highlights some very interesting facts and figures about the growth and development of tea plantations in Munnar.

The Anaerangal Camp
Warming up

Refreshments
Curious localites

Lunch camp

The entire team

Day 7 saw the group being transferred to Thattekad, where they headed out on a 7 km walk through the lowland forests of the area. The naturalist that accompanied them helped them take note of the unique flora and fauna of the area.

Walking through the lowland forests

Lunch at Hornbill Camp

Venturing out on kayaks

Kochi is a city located in the midst of many islands and narrow peninsulas. Fort Kochi is noted for its buildings and architecture that reflect the Portuguese, Dutch and English influence on this ancient trading port. The group began their history walk through Kochi at the Naval Museum, and went on to walk through the Dutch Cemetery, the old St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was first buried, the majestic Santa Cruz Basilica, and moved on to stroll through Jew town while stopping to visit the Dutch Palace. They also tried their hands at the unique Chinese Fishing Nets which are only found in Kochi outside of China. They ended their walk through history with a celebratory dinner at the resort.

Walking through tree lined avenues

A path dotted with European style houses

Inside St. Francis Church

Handling the Chinese Fishing Nets
Santa Cruz Basilica
Lunch at Cochin Fort
This walk that was organized for the great cause of raising funds for research into Cystic Fibrosis proved not only to be an opportunity to help others but also enabled participants to visit the beautiful land of Kerala, expand their horizons and make new friends.