Backpacking trip – Kerala – God’s Own Country – Kochi

Having lived a chunk of my childhood in Kochi, I had been dying to go back to the place, as a traveler this time, to revisit old memories. I must have been only 8 when I lived there, but I still have vivid memories of how the place looked like. The sea, the backwaters, the marine drive. The palm trees and coconut trees lining the roads that had recently seen some drizzling. The winds that brought along the sweet smell of jasmine flowers stationed in the braids and buns of the local women. The Appam and Mutton, the fried pomfret, and the Prawn curry that could make even Vegans salivate. The Chinese fishing nets and the docks with ferries roped together. The hidden beaches where I collected shells of all shapes and sizes, and where I ran along the waves for as long as my legs would carry me. The long walks on the quiet and serene roads, holding papa’s hand, going to the phonebooth to make calls with mom, because mobiles were unheard of back then. Learning Malayam because there was no other option, making the best mallu friends ever. These memories could last a lifetime, sure, but I wanted to go back to the place I fell so madly, deeply and irrevocably in love with! A place that gave me my first beaches, that made me realize I was made for the sea, a place that gave me friends I would go on to write letters to for years after I had moved from Kerala.

And so, I did.

I planned a backpacking trip with the most random people through a social networking site, and I would count this as one of the best decisions I made, for I made the most invaluable memories with such brilliant people, whom I’d now like to call friends 😊

So, this community, called Photographers of India, goes to trips within India every 45 days, and this was my first trip with them. You must reach out to them if you’re looking for a chilled out, no fuss, fun and only fun trip! They shall not disappoint, trust me!

So, I booked my flights and hopped on to an early morning flight to Kochi, to be met with the most awesome people at Zostel, Kochi Fort. Getting down from the aircraft, a wave of nostalgia hit me, as I realized I was finally in Cochin, after a long spell of 17 years!

All set to travel! 😀

I, along with a couple of other travelers who had landed around the same time got on to the local bus headed towards Fort Kochi. 1.5 hours later we got to the Zostel.

Greeted by this furry little baby outside the Zostel who cosily climbed onto my lap, uninvited, and made it his sleeping pod

I was amazed by the way the Zostel had been set up. After having lived in college hostels, this hostel would look like a party to you!

It was very artistic and damn clean!

Upon arrival at Zostel, Fort Kochi

The Common Seating Area

The beautifully and quite artistically painted walls of Zostel

I met the fellow travelers and was delighted out and out. Each person so different from the other! One, a travel blogger, another one a doctor. One, a photographer, another a fashion designer. We had people from all walks of life almost, and it was indeed wonderful to meet all these kickass people!

I immediately connected with most of the people and we set out to have lunch at this local dhaba like place in Mattancherry. The food was incredible, lovingly served and so modestly priced!! We ate to our heart’s content, went back to the Zostel and chilled out some more before we set out to Marine Drive and Spice Market on the Ferry ride.

Street Markets of Kochi

The Ferry ride, again, bought back beautiful memories. We reached the Marine drive well in time to behold the sight of a mesmerizing sunset. We binged on some icecreams and faloodas, burgers and chowmein, and then before we knew it, 2 hours had already passed by!

 

The ferry ride from Fort Kochi to Marine Drive. Clicked by Anand

Photo Credits: Farooq

The gorgeous pink sky captured at the time of sunset

Various hues of the sky!

Baring my men in white, captured by Anshuman

I just couldn’t stop beaming! My happiness is evident, isn’t it?

Happy girl re-living her childhood memories of eating icecream by the sea

You can tell I love metallic lips

Isn’t this Church just beautiful?  Captured by Virat Gupta

The trade that keeps the city alive – Fishing. Captured by Abhishek

Just How captivating is this picture? Captured by Abhishek

Clicked by Gnawmadic

Blown away by this beautiful thing!

We set out on the ride back to the Zostel to find an amazing surprise awaiting us. We saw, on the terrace, some drums and drummers, in Hope of enchanting us with their trippy music, and enchanted we were! What lay ahead was a night full of amazing live music, lots of dancing, food and drinks, and of course bonds to be created that would go a long way 😊

 

 

My whole bunch of crazies 😀

This was my Kochi trip in short. The next morning we headed out to Allepey, which was again a dreamy, dreamy place. Watch out for the next post to hear about my experiences in Allepey 😊

Hope you enjoyed reading!

Till the next time,

XOXO

-TwofoldChic