Coconut land, Kerala!

From Hampi the next destination was “somewhere” in Kerala. Already on the train we made the way south by train via Guntakal and after checking some stuff on the travel guide decided to get off in Kochi. Thus it would be possible to have a look on the coast, have some coconut water and after take a boat to cruise around the backwaters.

The train was slowly getting emptier and emptier when we finally realized that we missed the stop and Kochi had already been left behind, more than 200km at that stage. It was a moment to review the plan and decide that Varkala would be an appropriate plan B. Thus, after 25hs on that train we got off there and explored a bit the area.

It was a massive shock arriving in Kerala after all I had seen about India. The state is clearly more developed than the other areas and the tourism completely different. Most of it is organized on packages and costs much more than everywhere else. Basically I felt like I had lost the freedom of going around on my own and discover places.

Varkala specifically, is a very tourist town and 4 out of 5 signs on the streets will mention Ayurveda medicine/ massage. Even if you wanna do some massage it’s pretty hard to decide where, because it became a huge business and I had the feeling that all of them were simply money oriented. To be honest the massage I tried wasn't nice at all.

Well, to keep going, after few days Kollam was the next stop in order to get the ferry towards Alleppey which takes in total 8hs. We decided to stop on the way to check Ama’s Ashram, the famous Hug Guru. Once again, I was glad for the experience but a bit disappointed with the place; the energy there didn't make me feel comfortable, the way that her disciples treat her as a living God was too much for me.

Day after, on board again! Now to complete the journey to Alleppey  which is known as the Indian Venice. I don’t really agree with it and to avoid being negative, prefer to say that everyone should go and check it out with your own eyes. It’s worth to say that the journey on the ferry is very beautiful, the backwaters are something unique and the landscape is gorgeous!

From the Indian Venice the next stop was Kumilly, where there are many tea and spice plantations and also a well known wildlife sanctuary. To sum up, once again the tourism is very well organized and became a rip off in my opinion. A lot of fancy resorts and brand new private buses going around with hundreds of tourist; I felt l was anywhere else but not India. After that we had the sensation that we had enough of Kerala and it was time to move on, search for some nature and chilled place.

 Backwaters of Kerala from the boat.

Kumilly - View from the mountains.