Civved : Kumarakom

laluks · 16th May 2013, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinuak

Hi laluks, great travelogue and superb pictures !
The ones from Kumarakom Toddy parlour is tempting me to drop my laptop and run all the way from Bangalore to Kumarakom, what a spread, yum !

. The house boat cost seems reasonable and looking forward to you sharing the contact number of the guy who runs it. Kumarakom was in my list of must visit places, but was forgotten due to my work schedules, your travelogue is urging me to plan something in immediate future. Thanks

Kumarakom Toddy Parlour spread was absolute delight. It was tasty too.

It was not a house boat we hired. It can be atmost called a shikhara. I never wanted a room with AC to float around with me in the lake, since I'd always be on the deck watching the surroundings, and would never get into the rooms. Also AC will be only available in the night in the rooms. As far as food on board was considered, I'd prefer them to dock the shikara at any local hotels and I'd be happy about it. So I never felt the need of the house boat at all.

I'll share the name and number of the boat guy once I figure out where I have kept his card. He can arrange any boats for you.

Currently a 1BR house boat was running for 5.5K. AC from 9PM to 6AM and all three meals included. It was negotiable a bit too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbhavan

Hi Lalu,

Thanks for coming up with this travelogue.Thrilled to see the description of the shappu. And now counting my days to reach Kottayam. A fortnight to go.

How was pathiramanal? Last time, I went there, no one was there. We scrolled the island for half an hour,but couldn't see any birds, leave alone the human beings.

Have you taken any photos of the Thanneer muckam bund?

regards,

bbhavan

Another fortnight, Lucky guy.

Pathiramanal was empty. The bird population is very scarce. The reason being the increase in population of Monitor Lizard in the island which eats the eggs of the birds. Also there was no one other than us on the island. We enjoyed getting the place for ourselves.

Yes there are a few pictures of the Thannermukkom bund.

Lukeskywalker · 16th May 2013, 10:07

There goes the endless traveller once again !!! When you asked me if I had seen this thread, I knew I was in for a visual treat and you definitely didn't disappoint me. Love your compositions and the captures, thanks for sharing once again Lalu.

laluks · 16th May 2013, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

There goes the endless traveller once again !!! When you asked me if I had seen this thread, I knew I was in for a visual treat and you definitely didn't disappoint me. Love your compositions and the captures, thanks for sharing once again Lalu.

Thanks Lukey

You must go there for the endless choice of food. More on that when we meet.

VLOCT · 18th May 2013, 05:03

Fantastic pictures, Laluk. Kottayam being my hometown, although having only stayed couple of years there and only able to visit for a few short weeks once in few years, got a lump in my throat looking at the pics. Thanks for rekindling memories of my backyard and friends and family back there.

Regards.

laluks · 19th May 2013, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by VLOCT

Fantastic pictures, Laluk. Kottayam being my hometown, although having only stayed couple of years there and only able to visit for a few short weeks once in few years, got a lump in my throat looking at the pics. Thanks for rekindling memories of my backyard and friends and family back there.

Regards.

Thank you VLOCT.
Happy to bring back some memories

, I'll post more pictures some time

laluks · 25th May 2013, 20:12

Day 01
1st May 2013
Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Cumbum - Kumily - Kottayam - Kumarakom (650KMs)

We are ready to roll. By 00:00 hours we started our drive from Bangalore

By 05:00AM we are already nearby Kodai Road

Kodaikanal was another 67KMS, but our destination was different

We passed by an absolutely dry Valanjamkanam Waterfalls on Kottayam Kumily (KK) Road

In our August 2010 drive, the water falls was like this

We reached Kottayam Mar Elia Cathedral by 08:30 AM

After offering our prayers at the Cathedral we drove on towards Kumarakom, after taking a quick breakfast at Kottayam - Hotel Empire.

It was a good choice to have taken Bangalore Salem Dindigul Theni Kumily route to Kottayam. We could reach the 600+ kilometers in 8.5 hours

continued...

laluks · 25th May 2013, 20:50

Day 01
1st May 2013
Kumarakom

We reached Our resort by 11:00AM

We could see a part of Vembanad lake from the resort

The cottage was not yet ready, so we kept the luggage at the reception and went out for lunch.

This board attracted us

We parked our Civvy and decided to try out this place

Crab and Kappa!

Rabbit Ulathiyathu

Karimeen Pollichathu

When the bill came we were shocked, it was very very reasonable!

At the Family Toddy parlour

PPGs happy after a heavy Lunch

My Auto

After a nice lunch we reached the resort by 14:00 hours, got the cottage and hit the bed for a nice relaxing nap. The weather was quite humid and warm, but the nice little ac in the rooms did its work perfectly well. We relaxed till 17:00 hours and got for a refreshing tea break. After tea, I strolled around the resort, by this time the breeze from the lake had cooled the place a bit!

continued...

laluks · 25th May 2013, 21:02

Day 01
1st May 2013
Kumarakom

Our Cottage

Joined the PPGs for a relaxing swim in the pool

Darts!

Kiddy seat for that relaxing view of the lake and enjoy a book or two!

The reception area

A view of Vembanad Lake from the resort

It was quite relaxing to read a book here

continued...

laluks · 25th May 2013, 21:11

Day 01
1st May 2013
Kumarakom

Some more cottages from the resort

Wild Custard Apple. I was warned not to taste it, as it could trigger allergic reactions like continuous itching and even death. It was orangish inside and smelled like custard apple.

A boat passed by

The omnipresent Coconut tree

The Kiddy seat

Swan with a mask!

Beautiful

Who is this?

They were all around the place

Since we had a heavy lunch, we decided to go light for Dinner. After a simple affair we reached our rooms by 20:00 hours , watched some TV and retired for the day.

darklord · 25th May 2013, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by laluks

Who is this?

I guess this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Drongo

I love the fact that your travelogues always include what your food was (although it makes my hungry just looking at the pictures).

laluks · 25th May 2013, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklord

I guess this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Drongo

I love the fact that your travelogues always include what your food was (although it makes my hungry just looking at the pictures).

Thanks darklord for the Black Drongo Link.
Food part, wait for more pictures

laluks · 26th May 2013, 00:23

Day 02
2nd May 2013
Kumarakom

Woke up by early and by 06:00AM sat near the lake and enjoyed the day break and chirping of the birds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jrN9W5DdbQ

A boat went by

Doves

They were on a cleaning mission!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODqSezBf3NE

This guy was quite funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8DA6cGnRQ

Saw a crow after a long while

Some of my gear!

A crane scavenging on

Interesting Flower

PPGs were still sleeping

continued...

laluks · 26th May 2013, 00:31

Day 02
2nd May 2013
Kumarakom

This fellow was enjoying his morning nectar session

continued...

laluks · 26th May 2013, 00:42

Day 02
2nd May 2013
Kumarakom

After the short time with the birds I went out of the resort.

This notice caught my attention. I am not surprised!

I reached Bay Island

Says Natures Fossilized Sculptures

Was not much interesting

The place was just worth a photograph!

I drove on towards Kottayam in search of a birthday cake. Today was Jr. PPG's birthday.

continued...

laluks · 26th May 2013, 00:53

Day 02
2nd May 2013
Kumarakom

I decided to drive to Kottayam via Aymanam, in search of the God of Small Things!!

Meenachil River, the very own river around which the story revolves in Arundhati Roy's God of Small Things

Wifey taking a closer look at the river!

The current is quite strong that the bund was washed away!

We reached Aymanam

That's the house of the Roy's

I reached Kottayam, and went in search of a good cake. I almost checked out 10 odd big bakery's and finally got one near the bus stand which had a ready made cake available. Picked the cake and drove back towards the resort.

The resort was another 10KM away, what caught my attention was the place "Parippu"

continued...

16th May 2013, 10:07	#47
Lukeskywalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,397 Thanked: 1,243 Times View My Garage	Re: Civved : Kumarakom There goes the endless traveller once again !!! When you asked me if I had seen this thread, I knew I was in for a visual treat and you definitely didn't disappoint me. Love your compositions and the captures, thanks for sharing once again Lalu.
	(1) Thanks

18th May 2013, 05:03	#49
VLOCT BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas, USA Posts: 558 Thanked: 633 Times View My Garage	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Fantastic pictures, Laluk. Kottayam being my hometown, although having only stayed couple of years there and only able to visit for a few short weeks once in few years, got a lump in my throat looking at the pics. Thanks for rekindling memories of my backyard and friends and family back there. Regards.
	(1) Thanks

25th May 2013, 20:12	#51
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 01 1st May 2013 Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Cumbum - Kumily - Kottayam - Kumarakom (650KMs) We are ready to roll. By 00:00 hours we started our drive from Bangalore By 05:00AM we are already nearby Kodai Road Kodaikanal was another 67KMS, but our destination was different We passed by an absolutely dry Valanjamkanam Waterfalls on Kottayam Kumily (KK) Road In our August 2010 drive, the water falls was like this We reached Kottayam Mar Elia Cathedral by 08:30 AM After offering our prayers at the Cathedral we drove on towards Kumarakom, after taking a quick breakfast at Kottayam - Hotel Empire. It was a good choice to have taken Bangalore Salem Dindigul Theni Kumily route to Kottayam. We could reach the 600+ kilometers in 8.5 hours continued...
	(1) Thanks

25th May 2013, 20:50	#52
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 01 1st May 2013 Kumarakom We reached Our resort by 11:00AM We could see a part of Vembanad lake from the resort The cottage was not yet ready, so we kept the luggage at the reception and went out for lunch. This board attracted us We parked our Civvy and decided to try out this place Crab and Kappa! Rabbit Ulathiyathu Karimeen Pollichathu When the bill came we were shocked, it was very very reasonable! At the Family Toddy parlour PPGs happy after a heavy Lunch My Auto After a nice lunch we reached the resort by 14:00 hours, got the cottage and hit the bed for a nice relaxing nap. The weather was quite humid and warm, but the nice little ac in the rooms did its work perfectly well. We relaxed till 17:00 hours and got for a refreshing tea break. After tea, I strolled around the resort, by this time the breeze from the lake had cooled the place a bit! continued...
	(1) Thanks

25th May 2013, 21:02	#53
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 01 1st May 2013 Kumarakom Our Cottage Joined the PPGs for a relaxing swim in the pool Darts! Kiddy seat for that relaxing view of the lake and enjoy a book or two! The reception area A view of Vembanad Lake from the resort It was quite relaxing to read a book here continued...
	() Thanks

25th May 2013, 21:11	#54
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 01 1st May 2013 Kumarakom Some more cottages from the resort Wild Custard Apple. I was warned not to taste it, as it could trigger allergic reactions like continuous itching and even death. It was orangish inside and smelled like custard apple. A boat passed by The omnipresent Coconut tree The Kiddy seat Swan with a mask! Beautiful Who is this? They were all around the place Since we had a heavy lunch, we decided to go light for Dinner. After a simple affair we reached our rooms by 20:00 hours , watched some TV and retired for the day.
	() Thanks

26th May 2013, 00:31	#58
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 02 2nd May 2013 Kumarakom This fellow was enjoying his morning nectar session continued...
	() Thanks

26th May 2013, 00:42	#59
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 02 2nd May 2013 Kumarakom After the short time with the birds I went out of the resort. This notice caught my attention. I am not surprised! I reached Bay Island Says Natures Fossilized Sculptures Was not much interesting The place was just worth a photograph! I drove on towards Kottayam in search of a birthday cake. Today was Jr. PPG's birthday. continued...
	() Thanks

26th May 2013, 00:53	#60
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,397 Times	Re: Civved : Kumarakom Day 02 2nd May 2013 Kumarakom I decided to drive to Kottayam via Aymanam, in search of the God of Small Things!! Meenachil River, the very own river around which the story revolves in Arundhati Roy's God of Small Things Wifey taking a closer look at the river! The current is quite strong that the bund was washed away! We reached Aymanam That's the house of the Roy's I reached Kottayam, and went in search of a good cake. I almost checked out 10 odd big bakery's and finally got one near the bus stand which had a ready made cake available. Picked the cake and drove back towards the resort. The resort was another 10KM away, what caught my attention was the place "Parippu" continued...
	() Thanks