Athirapally Waterfalls, Kerala

Comfortably located at some odd 70 Km from Cochin, these falls are a combination for scenic forests and streams. Yes, there's not just one but quite a few waterfalls in this area, the largest being the Athirapally Waterfall.

We happened to visit during the peak of the monsoons and it was a a beautiful and quick one day trip. The roads from Cochin to Athirapally can be a little troublesome, especially in monsoons, but still I would suggest that it's the right time as you get to see the waterfall in all it's glory.

We reached the waterfall and just followed the cobbled pathway that led us to the view from top of the fall, as in you see the river coming straight from one end and the other side it falls. And honestly we were a little disappointed thinking that's it? Still we killed some time clicked pictures and when we were about to leave we saw this tiny little board saying 'Way to the waterfalls'. And we sighed a relief, that the trip wasn't a waste of time after all. The pathway goes spiraling down to the bottom of the falls where you see the water falling down with all it's might sprinkling water everywhere in a big radius. Let's see some pictures shall we?

The road ahead on our way to Athirapally

View of the falls from top

Misty falls

And some more mist :)

View of the falls from the bottom

Another fall on the way

A stream on the way back

Road engulfed in greenery

Room at Rainforest Resort

View from the room's balcony

Tree house in the resort

View from resort's restaurant.

According to the manager at the resort the waterfall was only half of what it usually is. He explained something about water being released from a dam ahead that makes the entire brown stones currently visible in the picture get covered and overflow with water. 

All in all it was truly beautiful and is a must see if you happen to be in Kerala.

Bolgatty Island and Palace Resort, Cochin

The best part about Cochin is the house we've been allotted. It's on the Marine drive facing the channel with a super huge balcony which makes morning and evening teas such a delight. And right opposite to our house across the channel is a small island called Bolgatty island, which houses the Bolgatty Palace which has been converted into a resort. The palace itself has four luxury suites. In the other small constructions in and around there's a resort with spa, pool and rooms in different categories. The palace is out of bound for outsiders, as in only the guests are allowed inside. This applies to a major part of the property. However, the restaurant and spa are open to public.

Bolgatty island has it's own jetty which is used to commute their guests on and off the island. It also has some tree-houses. But, since our visit was in monsoon times the tree-houses had a strange stale mossy smell to them thanks to the incessant rains in Cochin. The rooms were quite neat.

Here are some pictures from our quick visit:

Jetty and a view of marine drive

Reception and some rooms

View from reception

Pool at the resort

Tree house

Colorful growth on the woods during monsoon

Goa Carnival 2013

I know am too late for posting this. But, was just going through some old photos and thought of doing a quick post, mostly pictures and my experience.

Quoting Wikipedia

Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life.


Goa carnival sticks to the definition by Wikipedia. I happened to witness the Carnival in Panaji of Feb 9, 2013. The weather was quite nice and bearable to be sitting next to the road. You can bag a seat for yourself by pre-booking your tickets for the carnival and find yourself sitting in a shamiana/tent with plastic chairs. Our plan was impropmtu and hence, no tickets, so we initially sat on chairs for random public without the tent to cover but, by the time the parade started weather was quite convenient and shelter/no shelter didn't matter. In fact, when it started we had already left our chairs and were standing right on the sides of the road with majority of the crowd. So, I wonder if buying tickets would have helped at all for those who actually did. 

The displays were quite colorful, some cute some scary and some depicting the true Goans. Also, there were lots of street sellers selling masks in various shapes and colors. I bought myself one too. Pictures shall follow soon. 

On our way to Panaji, few decorations

Seating for ticket holders

Panaji main road

Me with my mask in public seating area

And the carnival begins

Goan fishermen and women

Shark in a net

Random cars

Scary!

Cute masks

School kids dancing to a local number in local dresses

Cigarette smoking in injurious to health :)

Masks

Check out the colors

Traditional wedding

Colorful flowers

Scary masks

Tourists having fun

Smiling away :)

It was a great experience. The only thing that troubled us maybe was the traffic on our way back once the carnival was over! That was something... Overall it was fun!