Showing posts with label monsoons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monsoons. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Monsoon at Fort Kochi explored..

Monsoons in all its glory down south and there we went exploring walking,getting drenched,drinking many a chai,walking through the scores of antique shop,getting the best we wanted..seeing all that we wanted,coz we will be here only after an year.

There were many a monsoons spent here down south..I think i need to to be a regular and tell you all the ups and downs of our journeys,in search of the perfect decor true to each place.From today on let me share some of our stories down south..the stories of the monsoon vacations..Monsoon takes you in to unknown journeys,make you dream all that you can..I did sincerely hope that the journeys become a sort of unending.But journeys have to end ,for you to take up new ones:)-

The many monsoon moods at Fort Kochi. We walked all the lanes of Fort Kochi, still there seemed more,in all the lanes and alleys still, when i left i thought i had left so much behind..that's the secret of FortKochi. I think i will never finish seeing Fort Kochi in my lifetime.

I think Fort Kochi is the one and only place which leaves you with its old world secrets.This time it was much more than a regular visit from Ernakulam. We decided to see the monsoon in all kinds of its moods at Fort Kochi. What if that meant staying at Fort Kochi for some days:)-

It was at ease this time in Fort Kochi,we explored each street by street what it had to offer,studied all its side streets and alleyways.The old world shops,the old world charm left behind by generations,the many weeping colours of walls,the heritage mansions and the plumerias all filled to its brim..and that's Fort Kochi.

 Fort Kochi  is still a small place but i really do not know whether you could fit watching all this in a day..Life doesn't get any better than this than at Fort Kochi.


as we walked the length and breadth of fortkochi
the tree must be more than a hundred years old


the petercelli street near the synagogue


the rain forest lodge,an initiative of the owner of the old harbour


murals on the walls


the lanes in the morning a weary look


the lily street famous for its redplumerias where anokhi and dal roti are..



under the tree


menu on the walls


vasco cafe


the old harbour




on the way to "kashi"


burgher street


hanging chimes


the old courtyard


waltons homestay


book stores in plenty


the peeling paints and old world charm


open windows




old courtyard




the one and only antique shop in fortkochi






loafers corner




the burgher street


and finally the david hall..near the Malabar house
there are lots more and lots more..i know its a picture packed blog post after some ages..i do hope you will travel with me to more and more of south..


all images Lakshmi Arvind..please ask permission to use them

Friday, September 24, 2010

Wildernest, Swapnagandha Valley,Goa

Today let me take you all to Swapnagandha valley,the Valley of Fragrant Dreams where the Wildernest cottages are situated,the most ecofriendly of the resorts one would come across in this part of the world.The Swapnagandha valley is situated in the ridgeline of the Chorla Ghats between the rich forests of the proposed Bhimgad Wildlife sanctuary of Karnataka and the declared Mahdei sanctuary of Goa.

Snuggled cozily amidst picturesque setting of the fabled Western Ghats landscape of Goa at a height of 700 metres above sea level in full view of the majestic Vazra Sakla,a 143 meter waterfall on one side and the tranquil Anjunem backwaters on the other is swapnagandha,a fresh paradise that is ready to be explored and experienced.

I have always shared with you my stories and the Indian Decor which I have come across on our travels.This travel was not part of my life but my brother's "Travels of a Lifetime " as he has fondly calls it.He shares with us the story of the rainsoaked forests,the monsoon butterflies,the winding roads,the ecofriendly wooden cottages with internationally acclaimed ecofriendly standards,the tasty, tasty food which came in ecofriendly traditional 'martaban' jars and served on the dried arecanut leaf plates....and so on and on.

The cottages present an unobstructed view of the famed swapnagandha valley and the forests.

Come enjoy the beauty of Swapnagandha!
view of the valley and the hills....breathtaking
the winding roads in the hills
the ecofriendly boards on the way
the bed ,lamps and the view of the valley from the rooms
sit outside and enjoy the view,very ecofriendly
the flooring is made of old rail sleepers ,very natural and smooth



the water jugs and glasses

ecofriendly lights in wood holders
the walls are also in wood

the dining area which doubles up as the movie hall in the night when nature documentaries are shown.
all wooden furniture facing the valley
the food spread is in terracotta and martaban jars ,look at the rustic ways they have adopted laid out on a huge log of wood which doubles up as a table
their rustic kitchen
cloud 9 bar and the seating arrangement
various shots of the infinity pool perched dangerously at the edge of a cliff


Dusk by the Pool
Come let's go for a walk....
Seating above the Machan to view the valley,climb up and enjoy
Various artefacts to show the true rustic style in their garden,very tropical and natural
Seating arrangement in the cart
Various totem poles strewn here and there in the Landscape

Lord krishna's temple forms the heart of their premises
Seating arrangements to sit,when your tired
Enjoy the outdoor seating

Each nook has been decorated carefully yet subtly

Another figurine on the way
Sign boards to get back ...,the old grinder ,used a show piece in most gardens to float flowers...
Carved seating arrangements in wood
seating arrangements on the Restaurant Deck overlooking the Valley and the Waterfall
Some photographic moments
Looks like an ecofriendly platter to me
on the way back


Beautiful nature ,everywhere

A never before experience is what he described it as...Rustic charm and simplicity clubbed with all comforts make it an ideal retreat to chill out and wash away all the weariness of our urban lives.
Images courtesy:Sandeep Menon
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