Cochin (Kochi) :
After a series of family functions in the month of May and June we were looking for a getaway to re-energize ourselves. It had been few years since we went for a vacation during monsoon. Hence we decided to go enjoy some rain in Kerala.
Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.
Day 1(21/7/17) :
We woke up at 3:00 AM and left home by 4:05 AM. This is a frequently traveled route for us so there was no surprise from route perspective. We reached silkboard by 4:40 AM and took deviation towards Hosur road. From here it is 6 lane highway and driving was ease with minimal traffic. We wanted to cross Salem before the morning school going crowd comes on road as this stretch had a couple of flyover construction happening and was known for traffic jam. We reached Salem at 7:00 AM and stopped for breakfast at A2B after crossing the town.
From here a bit of traffic built up, but it was overcast and it was pleasant to drive. Once we crossed Coimbatore we got stuck in a traffic jam because of road construction work at Valur. Next 1 hour was spent in traffic jam and we covered about 10 KMs. This put us behind our schedule to reach Athirapally. Once we crossed TN and entered Kerala brown terrains around us turned green and we had our first encounter with rain. Rain kept playing hide and seek with us through out this stretch.
We reached Athirapally waterfalls at 2:50 PM. Visit to this place brought back our memories of visit to this place 10 years ago during our honeymoon. Not much had changed here except for few extra shops.
It started to rain again, so we could not spend much time here. It started raining heavily as soon as we reached, so we waited inside a shelter and once the rain reduced to drizzle we went to view the falls, but by the time we reached near the falls we were drenched. Once we returned back to the car we realized that we were hungry and yet to have lunch. So we went in search of a hotel and found a nice restaurant called Banana Leaf in Athirapally at 3:45 PM. After enjoying our authentic Kerala meal we headed towards Kochi. Road here was average and we had to drive through some very narrow roads in plantation areas and finally connected to Kochi highway. From here Kochi city traffic thickened and going was slow. Finally we reached our resort at 7:00 PM. After freshening up watched some cultural program arranged by the resort staff and had dinner and went to sleep.
Day 1(22/7/17) :
We woke up early hoping to see sunrise. It had rained a bit in the night so we were not sure if it would be cloudy in the morning. Watched the sunrise and clicked some photos around the resort.
We had an authentic Kerala breakfast around 9:00 AM and left to explore Kochi city at 10:00 AM.
We took a route which went through the villages on the sea shore of Kerala and we were very close to the sea till we reached the city. Once we were in the city, we went in search of Fort Kochi. After searching for a while and not find the fort, we stopped and asked the people. And we were told that the name of the place is Fort Kochi, but there is no fort. We entered a museum and it was closed for renovation. Then we went to the beach, it was dirty there, so we came back quickly. We roamed around the town a bit, did some shopping.
We returned to resort after tyre replacement and rest of the evening was spent lazing around in the resort. We had an early dinner, spent some time reading a book and went to sleep.
Day 3(23/7/17) :
Woke up before 6:00 AM and it was cloudy in the morning, so could not watch the sunrise. We got freshened up, had our breakfast around 9:00 AM. We settled our bills and checked from the resort at 10:15 AM. We had booked our stay in Bolgatty Palace for today. This place is on the other end of the Kochi city. On our way we stopped for buying local vegetables and Kerala special bakery items. We reached Bolgatty at 11:45 AM. It was very hot day as it had not rained for 2 days now. We had lunch after checking in and decided to rest for a while as it was too hot to go out. In the evening explored the surroundings of the resort and clicked some pictures.
Went back to Kochi town for dinner as we didnt like the lunch at this place. Had wonderful dinner at 360 degree Pizaria and returned back to resort at 9:45 PM.
Day 4(24/7/17) :
After a series of family functions in the month of May and June we were looking for a getaway to re-energize ourselves. It had been few years since we went for a vacation during monsoon. Hence we decided to go enjoy some rain in Kerala.
Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.
Day 1(21/7/17) :
We woke up at 3:00 AM and left home by 4:05 AM. This is a frequently traveled route for us so there was no surprise from route perspective. We reached silkboard by 4:40 AM and took deviation towards Hosur road. From here it is 6 lane highway and driving was ease with minimal traffic. We wanted to cross Salem before the morning school going crowd comes on road as this stretch had a couple of flyover construction happening and was known for traffic jam. We reached Salem at 7:00 AM and stopped for breakfast at A2B after crossing the town.
From here a bit of traffic built up, but it was overcast and it was pleasant to drive. Once we crossed Coimbatore we got stuck in a traffic jam because of road construction work at Valur. Next 1 hour was spent in traffic jam and we covered about 10 KMs. This put us behind our schedule to reach Athirapally. Once we crossed TN and entered Kerala brown terrains around us turned green and we had our first encounter with rain. Rain kept playing hide and seek with us through out this stretch.
Finally we reached Vazachal falls at 1:50 PM. A water fall flowing as full as this was a wonderful sight to watch. It started to drizzle again here, so we returned back after clicking few photos.
Our next stop was Charpa Falls, this is just 2 KMs away from Vazachal falls and is on the road side. There were a lot people here so after a quick stop we left from here.
It started to rain again, so we could not spend much time here. It started raining heavily as soon as we reached, so we waited inside a shelter and once the rain reduced to drizzle we went to view the falls, but by the time we reached near the falls we were drenched. Once we returned back to the car we realized that we were hungry and yet to have lunch. So we went in search of a hotel and found a nice restaurant called Banana Leaf in Athirapally at 3:45 PM. After enjoying our authentic Kerala meal we headed towards Kochi. Road here was average and we had to drive through some very narrow roads in plantation areas and finally connected to Kochi highway. From here Kochi city traffic thickened and going was slow. Finally we reached our resort at 7:00 PM. After freshening up watched some cultural program arranged by the resort staff and had dinner and went to sleep.
Day 1(22/7/17) :
We woke up early hoping to see sunrise. It had rained a bit in the night so we were not sure if it would be cloudy in the morning. Watched the sunrise and clicked some photos around the resort.
We had an authentic Kerala breakfast around 9:00 AM and left to explore Kochi city at 10:00 AM.
We took a route which went through the villages on the sea shore of Kerala and we were very close to the sea till we reached the city. Once we were in the city, we went in search of Fort Kochi. After searching for a while and not find the fort, we stopped and asked the people. And we were told that the name of the place is Fort Kochi, but there is no fort. We entered a museum and it was closed for renovation. Then we went to the beach, it was dirty there, so we came back quickly. We roamed around the town a bit, did some shopping.
Ernakulam Heritage Museum
A school with an old school look
A jail with the sea view
Santa Cruz Cathedral
Kochi beach
We had pizza for lunch and when we were about to leave we realized that a nail had entered the rear tyre of the car and it was loosing air fast. Drove around looking for a tyre shop, found a shop and got the tyre replaced. This was an old tyre and wanted to replace it anyways.
Day 3(23/7/17) :
Woke up before 6:00 AM and it was cloudy in the morning, so could not watch the sunrise. We got freshened up, had our breakfast around 9:00 AM. We settled our bills and checked from the resort at 10:15 AM. We had booked our stay in Bolgatty Palace for today. This place is on the other end of the Kochi city. On our way we stopped for buying local vegetables and Kerala special bakery items. We reached Bolgatty at 11:45 AM. It was very hot day as it had not rained for 2 days now. We had lunch after checking in and decided to rest for a while as it was too hot to go out. In the evening explored the surroundings of the resort and clicked some pictures.
Went back to Kochi town for dinner as we didnt like the lunch at this place. Had wonderful dinner at 360 degree Pizaria and returned back to resort at 9:45 PM.
Day 4(24/7/17) :
We woke up at 6:30 AM, got ready by 7:30 AM . Thankfully breakfast was ready, had breakfast, settled our bills and checked out at 8:30 AM. Traffic was very less so going was easy for us. We stopped in couple of places to buy some more fresh vegetables and fruits on our way. Had a coffee break at Vadankkenchery and crossed Kerala border to TN at 11:30 AM. Our next stop was for lunch at Sarvana Bhavan, Salem at 2:15 PM. Post lunch we drove on and crossed Hosur at 4:45 PM. We took at deviation at Athibele and took a route via Sarjapur and reached home by 6:00 PM. This route was a blessing for us as we could avoid all the traffic int he city and Silkboard.
All in all it was a wonderful trip. Only thing that went missing after the first day is rain. So in a way didnt feel like it was a monsoon drive at all.
