Leaving Goa tonight and passing through Karnataka… Staying at the Ginger hotel with one of the best aloo dosa (similar to potato pancakes) breakfasts I’ve had so far… Driving through the night to reach God’s Own Country… Sky-high mountains, still backwaters, tea and coffee plantations, colorful buildings, places and faces… Have I died and gone to heaven?…
Colors of Kerala
Fruits of Kerala
Waters of Kerala
Kerala is lovingly called “God’s Own Country”… The first sight of its mountains and waterfalls, and I start to understand why…
A warm welcome…
First glimpse of the streets (which are so wonderfully close to the forest)
The green wall of the trees is so magnetizing…
Beautiful combination of tea plants, trees, mountains, skies…
CPI(M) (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) is a very popular party in Kerala… Hammers and sickles everywhere…
Stopping for chai in a pristine area… Kerala is so sparsely populated that after the hustle and bustle of Delhi and Goa this is a welcoming change…
Auto rikshas are popular here as well
Our new friend
Men wearing lungi – a cotton cloth wrapped around the waist. It is very comfortable and versatile as they can wear it short or long.
So refreshing to see a church in such wonderful colors!
A view from the Meenmutty waterfalls on the nearby smoky mountains…
Tea pickers at work. Kerala is known for its tea…
…and coffee
Enteveedu – a homestay in Wayanad where the hospitality is as warm as a fresh parantha… Enteveedu means My Own Home, and we felt at home in that wonderful place…
After a long peaceful nap in the hammock, we take the jeep ride to see the elephants on their afternoon walk…
A peculiar road sign 
This little guy surprised me with his thoughtful and meaningful gaze…
And this one was just cute! The road behind him will bring us to Calicut (Kozhikode), where we are taking our flight back to Delhi…
Kerala is an amazing, magical state… It heals your soul and lets your troubles fade away into the natural beauty… It is the land of the gods and the place I will always miss…
Next stop: back to the hustle and bustle of Delhi!
Interesting story ! Enjoyed your write up.
Please take note – this state has near-100% literacy – every one you meet here can read and write in at least one language .
Keep posting !
utham
Yes, that is a great feat! Do you know why or how was the state able to accomplish it? I really enjoyed being in Kerala and talking to the people there… I am glad that you liked my view on your state
By a popular movement – with focus on literacy .People even in remote hilly areas were motivated to learn to read and write. Glad you liked the place – of course with all its deficiencies .
Looking forward to more of your travel tales,
utham
This is probably the best use of your free time !! You can reflect on and observe subtle things amongst the obvious chaos. All the best for the “Search of Perfect”.
Thank you Asheem!
I think you might be right about getting to heaven. I spent a weekend on a houseboat there and it was amazing!
Hi Nikita! We also had it in our plans, but unfortunately had to cut our stay in Kerala short. I have to come back there to experience houseboats, everyone tells me it’s lovely!
Awwwww….! This would be the 1st well expressed post, I have ever read about my God’s Own Country. Thank you so much for such a great post.
Thank you Rahul! It is amazing to hear it from a local
Your state is beautiful..
Yulia
Hey Yulia, brought here by Rahul! Georgeous photos…Pretty close to perfect, I’d say….:)
Thank you Alarna! Kerala was perfect indeed!
Yulia
The pictures are beautiful…and I’m glad you enjoyed the time at Kerala!
Thank you Roshni!
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Kerala – home of my very best friend Lawrence – the communist party are the reason for the near 100% literacy and good health, but of course now have a history of corruption there. Maybe around to long.