Ofcourse, Neena's (from Mini and Jone Hospitality) guidance in choice of Resort and travel plans, made things easier and proved to be one of the trips where the time was well managed, with packed itinerary yet good time for relaxation.
People do ask me why I plan so many trips to Kerala...
Kerala never fails to amaze me and unleashes new experience every time. It's culture, people, cleanliness, Greenery, Beaches, the hospitality and care for their tourists are a delightful experience.
I however see a gradual dip in Kerala's overall hospitality - possibly because of commercialization, urbanization?
Be it Wayanad, Munnar, Guruvayur, Kannur, Cherai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Kumarakom, Palakkad or Cochin this time, each place has it's own uniqueness and needs atleast couple of visits to explore and be amazed each time.
Off to Cochin by Kanyakumari Express, that departs at 20:00 From Bangalore and reaches Cochin / Ernakulum by 08:00 next day.
Sindhu had prepared dinner for us and the journey started with some good homely food.
Train journey with the company of chaddi buddies cannot get any better.
Neena had also arranged for an Innova Crysta for our sojourn at Cochin/Cherai.
We had a leisurely breakfast at one of the hotels and freshened up as well, before we headed to Fort Kochi. As our check-in time was 13:00, we wanted to finish couple of activities before heading to Cherai where our Stay was booked.
Wandered around Fort Kochi area as we saw some Chinese Fishing Nets in action.
Visited St. Franis CSI church where Vasco da gama was initially buried for couple of years before being carried back to Portuguese.
We then hired a private boat to explore the Port area and we were dropped on Vypeen island side where our Innova had reached by road, and we continued our journey to Cherai.
A hectic and an eventful kick start to our trip, as we reached Sea Lagoon Resort on Cherai beach.
A beautiful Resort with the Beach off the road and Backwaters on the other side of the Resort, all we could do is drool and take pics.
Noon was for some relaxing lunch, quick nap and what most of us enjoy - by the pool.
Evening was time for some strolling along Cherai beach and dinner at a beach side restaurant.
Last day of 2019 spent the day at the famous Lulu Mall, one of the largest Malls I have seen, after The Dubai Mall.
The sprawling mall is spread across 17 acres and offers everything that one intends to do in a Mall.
We had some lip smacking saapad at Ambisamy's, that's right opposite to Lulu Mall.
Back to Cherai in the evening and it was time for some water sports and some beach time.
And it was time to welcome 2020 with a grand Gala dinner and party organized by Sea Lagoon Resort. It was a nice party with lot of entertaining acts on a dais setup next to the Pool.
Our group's jinx of being stuck at some boring New year Parties over last 3 to 4 years seems to have finally broken.
It was indeed a very nice n entertaining party and great way to welcome 2020 in such a beautiful ambience.
First day of 2020 - we checked out of the Resort that offered us a great time and started our journey to do some sightseeing in Cochin.
Folklore Museum is such a beautiful, well maintained and well preserved Museum that hosts some of the finest collection of local, traditional arts, crafts, folk arts and antiques.
Visited Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Town, Princess Street and Paradesi Synagogue, oozed colonial influence on Cochin.
Time to say good bye to the beautiful city, that offered us a wonderful and memorable time.
The best way to say Adios to 2019 and a decade that had been so good, and welcoming 2020 and hoping it to be even better, in such a beautiful place and with best pals and the loved one around.
