The idea of travel during monsoon is least preferred and less appreciated by tourists. Trust me and let's keep it a secret - Monsoon travel is one of the most beautiful experiences a traveler can ever have. Yes! It is off-season; it does pour everywhere; advance plans will not work out; get drenched at the most unexpected time; face problems during commute; and most importantly, what happens next is not yours to control. So be ready for pleasant surprises and unexpected shocks, for which your mind should already be prepared while booking the tickets.If luck permits, the odds may still be in your favor.
We were a group of three and we decided to travel the hidden trail of North Kerala - Kasaragod and Kannur during the onset of southwest monsoon. The trip demanded a thorough investigation of weather forecast and the status of El Nino - (a warm current that plays a major role in deciding the onset, the amount of rainfall to expect during that part of the year etc) which helped us in planning the journey date, so as to witness the beauty of the onset. Surprisingly, the predictions were accurate enough this time. As we entered the outskirts of west coast, it was lush lush and lush green everywhere. The junk that was sticking around for a long time has been washed out perfectly green. The tropical forests, grove of coconut trees, calm backwaters were a perfect fit for a natural landscape that would provoke anyone to crave for a window seat. Day-long drizzles followed by intermittent rain made the place even more breath-taking. The gleaming road, the stranded wall and every blade of the leaf were painted appealing enough by the Monsoon, the artist of honor.
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| From a moving Train as we enter Kerala on a rainy morning |
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| The Glow Green Moment |
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| A Natural Wall Art |
Our place of stay was at Kannur, alongside the coast of Payambalam beach. We opted for a cottage which was facing the incredibly beautiful Arabian sea. The resort had about two acres of verdant garden with a canopy of two hundred coconut trees, provided authentic local cuisine and its hosts greeted us with warm hospitality. Not to forget the hammock, that certainly mesmerized me for a lazy nap under the shade of coconut trees and the sound of waves, all of which happily recited a lullaby. A perfect green destination to lounge around and to explore. The open sea right in front of our door steps seemed so inviting for a leisurely stroll along the shore.
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| Pranav Beach Resort |
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| The Open Sea |
We enjoy the gastronomy of local cuisine - Kerala rice, vegetable stew, fish curry, fish fry (fresh and crispy!), steamed puttu & kadala curry, soft parottas are some traditional dishes that stood out well. Restaurants at both Kasaragod and Kannur offerred a variety of dishes at very reasonable rates. A sumptuous meal followed by a heavenly nap on the hammock at a calm and composed place, what more can a holiday dreamer ask for.
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| Puttu and curry |
Monsoon is coming!
The second day of our trip was at the Bekal Fort, Kasaragod.The dawn was a bit more sunny than expected. The lens flare blazed up on every attempt to photograph the place. A couple of hours later, we reached the tip of the fort that stood tall against the massive hit by those untiring waves. The waves struck the fort at a 10-feet high, leaving the remaining 'come-what-may' visitors dumbstruck. Far across the horizon we could witness the heavy downpour at some parts of the sea, presuming that the rain will strike the shore at any moment. The fishermen have long gone home, followed by some warning messages from the guards to vacate. The winds started revving up; the clouds progressively darkened, parts of the sea turned from mossy green to deep emerald; a dark blue line that ran along the length of the horizon demarcated the heavy grey clouds from the dark emerald sea. The sea looked like a huge water-color palette and the Nature was busy painting the landscape with its perfect blend of colors. The place turned out to be more beautiful than ever. The beauty that defeats description. The dark grey clouds crept in towards the shore, so haunting and fascinating at the same time, the fellow visitors and the guards have long left the place. We three, embracing in each others' presence, stood immobile witnessing something that is hard to happen again.Cameras and i-pads rushed inside plastic bags. The rain cascaded down to hit us and the entire sea looked blank, covered by mist and rain, leaving no clue about the disappearance of aforementioned beauty. Rushing our way under a cover of bamboo shoots, panting heavily as we reach for a shelter at a tea stall, the monsoon chase was over by now. A visually stunning moment to remember!
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| The downpour acoss the horizon |
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A view from the Fort wall. The color of the sea changes with respect to the distance from the shore.
A parabolic view would have made it evident. |
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| Folks posing with the haunting sky as a backdrop |
