Trip to the GODs own country – Part I........

It was during the first week of Jan’09 that me and my group of friends had a thought of reality. The last chance in our college life to go on a trip together was then, as some of them had their joining dates immediately after college. It was then v decided that the best place to plan for, in a short span, to relax and to booze (for some of them) was “KUMARAKOM”. As in most cases, responsibilities were assigned and everything was planned. Since some of us hailed from the Coimbatore, w e decided to start our journey from there. Friends accompanied us to our homes and the van was planned to start the pick ups from 23.00 hrs on 7th Jan 2009.

The van started from RS puram, then Gandhipuram and headed to Singanallur where some of our friends had jus landed after their exams in the afternoon. The van then speeded towards Harish’s home where a bigger group was waiting. Our photo sessions began at his place. After completing the photo shoot we went to the famous RAMBA bar (opp railways station) where Mr. JUS 10 (JK, aged 29), kaBEER (Mahe) and MG were already on a high. It was already 00.30 hrs and we set out towards our destination. The journey saw two pit stops – one at the famous Vadakanchery and the other on the outskirts of Chalakudy.

Hmmm, @ the early hours of the day – 06.00 hrs, when most of my friends were fast asleep we entered the town of Kumarakom. There was hardly a soul out on the roads. We finally reached the office of the Boat house @ 06.45 hrs and relaxed just to find out that our boat house will be available only @ 11.00 hrs. We were wondering as to how to spend the next 4 hrs. Like in most trips we set out on a walk to explore, as always, accompanied by photo shoots.

It was almost a quarter past 8.00 hrs when the owner came and invited us to his place for breakfast. A very kind person at heart, he made arrangements for all 18 of us to refresh and have a nice breakfast @ his place. We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality. It was jus around 09.30 hrs and we had a good 2 hrs in hand to spend. Ther is a bird sanctuary in Kumarakom and we decided to explore the same. We never had an idea of what was waiting for us.....

We started walking and found that they were literally no birds in the sanctuary. Finally v saw a bird sitting alongside the lake. Unaware of what it was, v decided to name it a MYKA.. wondering wat it means?? It is a hybrid of Myna (Cuckoo) and the KAKA (Crow).. After reaching the side of the lake, our group of 18 split.. Some of us decided to take a ride on the row boat into the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, having a glimpse of the resorts in and around Kumarakom – a one to mention is the TAJ resort...

V then regrouped at the parking stand and set out towards the banks to board the INDRAPRASTHA boat house (a real big 4 bedroom one) in which we wud spend the next 24 hrs..................

To be Continued..........