Sunday, August 10, 2014

Another Vacation

Am back after another vacation, hectic as usual. This time it was to admit our daughter for higher studies, a task which can be like climbing Mount Everest! Every parent who has admitted a ward anywhere, be it even a nursery, knows the feeling. Leaving her behind was even more heartbreaking and much tears were silently shed on the way to the Airport, but I thank technology for connecting us at least when it is possible. My watch continues to be on Indian time so that I don't miss the window of opportunity to call her.

Due to the uncertainty of opening dates, we could only travel to places close by. Saw a few places that I have never seen earlier in Kerala, this time too. Travelled through roads that are holding well (the monsoon was late) and left Kerala just when the rains started to play havoc. But it was enough to rock the Airplane and scare the passengers.

Alapuzha beach is the closest for us, yet it is strange that I have never been there! It was always a passing point to Kochi or other destinations and was always dismissed. Hence when we planned a day trip with cousins this was the perfect choice. It started with Azheekal beach, made even more closer to Tiruvalla due to the roads that are now better maintained. The one via Haripad has been recently repaired and ply through paddy fields. It was sheer pleasure travelling through the same. At Arattupuzha one was able to see the much talked about black sand (karimanal) and memorials for the the December 2004 Tsunami. It is still a sleepy village with a road running parallel to the beach and ending at Azheekkal, a common name for a place where the sea meets the end of the land or a lake? The locals told us that the sea is very deep around here and anyone unfortunate enough to be swept away will surely be eaten away by sharks, since it is near impossible to retrieve the body. The beach is not clean and hence we did not stay long. (the photographs are in another device and need to be uploaded later).

We proceeded towards Alapuzha and visited another secluded but a very beautiful beach: the Mararikulam beach. We were 4 adults and the rest were a big bunch of teens who immediately took to the waters. There were enough coconut trees to provide a good shade from where my camera could get some good shots. There were only a few foreigners who might have wandered away from the more frequented Alapuzha beach.

The best part of the visit was the fresh fish that we bought directly from the fishermen who were transferring it from their nets. My greed for it was so much that upon returning home quite late at night, me who very rarely handles fish (due to lack of experience) proceeded to cut, clean, fry and eat before I did anything else. No way was I going to miss this opportunity to eat fish so fresh, without ammonia or whatever they add and after having sat in the freezer/ice for God only knows how many days. The trouble was worth it. Fresh fish can taste so lovely! Nothing beats the taste and now I can understand those who patiently fish by the river that passes by in front of our home.

10 comments:

  1. Gosh , what went wrong? I posted my comment yesterday. It is missing. Or did you enable comment moderation?

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  2. It is nowhere! Sad that it is lost.

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  3. This was what I said in the comment that vanished.
    Last things first. Your fish story straight from the net of the folks and the curry and fry you ate in the middle of the night is sending me drooling non stop. What was it, Mathi, Ayala, avoli, ???

    Now about your child. No big deal . No mourning and tearjerka . Move on. Its a phase where the kids need to fly out.

    Mararaikulam , ye, I remember the snow-white sand there . It is beautiful and the resort too.

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    Replies
    1. It was mathi..nd for the first time I realized that fresh mathi does not smell so bad. Mathi is something that I get to eat only when I go to Kerala since handling it in a flat has it's troubles...nd mathi is one of my favorite fish too.

      Yes..one has to move on.. no other way. She was all set for adjusting the hostel life but had to return to her Grandmother when struck by food poisoning. Not just she but many others too. Must be the result of the heavy rains and a new environment. Hopefully her immune system is now set for India :)

      Marari beach is beautiful..looks like we might make a trip every year.

      Delete
  4. Can not comment on Kerala much,though I have been to Cochin,but on business.
    Yes,leaving ones child alone in a hostel is being very brave.But,isn't that how kids grow up?

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    Replies
    1. You can always make a visit to Kerala, it is not that bad :)

      She is already grown up and knows there is no other choice.

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  5. Hmm Mathi yes I 'm enjoying that often now, these days. Fish ( sea fish) do not smell bad, the fresh fish smell of the sea.

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  6. been a while since i went down south...but i used to go between Trivandrum and Palght often, and cross kottayam and the coast often..I hope it is still the same, or at least not too changed..Hope you had a smashing time..

    Incidentally, am working on an article set in Alleppey..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should take a trip and see the changes in the roads at least.

      Looking forward to read your article on Alleppey.

      Delete

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