Cochin to Alleppey to Munnar. Review on Kerala, General

I just spent my honeymoon in Kerala from Jan 6th to Jan 15th. I must say that it was a truly magical experience. We arrived in Cochin on the early Jet flight from Mumbai, which was no picnic departing at 5:00 Am, but we were at least glad to have started early.

The first thing we noticed from the airport to the Bolgatty Palace was the relative cleanliness of the place. There were really no beggars or slums! The streets seemed much more clean than in Mumbai (which is not really saying much.) We arrived at the Bolgatty Palace earlier than our check in time but they were kind enough to let us check in.

Now the Bolgatty Palace is a huge 16th century mansion right on the river bank. The nature surrounding and the architecture of the palace is of incomparable beauty. Our room (an Executive Suite, 6000 rupees per night including 2 meals) was also amazing, it was gigantic and opened up to a balcony which overlooked the river in front and the amazing kerala style roofs of the rest of the hotel in the back. The bathroom and the bedroom were also impeccable. We unpacked and took our taxi (5000 rupees for the day) to go explore the city.

We went to all the tourist spots, but my favourite were Jew Town and Fort Cochin. Jew town was impressive because of all the spice houses there. I went into a small building to see what was inside and then next thing I saw was Ginger as far as the eye could see, drying in the sun, releasing a most intoxicating bouquet. It was just wonderful, and all through the area you can pick up the scents of various spices.

Fort Cochin was great just because I had built up a hunger by then and decided to buy a fish at a local shop on the beach and then have it cooked at the fry shop next door. I bought a large pompfret and had half grilled and half fried. My wife and I sat with the ocean in front of us, watching the fishermen lower and raise their fishing nets and giggling at the small fish that get trapped. We thought ''so much work for such little amounts of fish.'' I ordered a beer with my fish and quickly finished everything soon after the fish arrived.

We decided to call it a day and head back to the hotel. We were both tired but wanted to take a swim in the pool so we did and just enjoyed the scenery around us. The next day we took our taxi to Alleppey and were booked to stay at Kayaloram for 3 days and at the 'Alleppey Beach Resort' for 3 more. Needless to say Kayalorm was just HEAVEN on earth!!!!

I have never felt so pampered in my life. We spent 2 nights in room #3, its one of the rooms that overlooks the huge lake in front. The Bathroom is private but out doors and is wonderful. The overnight backwater cruise was also magnificent. The three day package in the high season with the lake front room extra charge was a total of 17,000 rupees and worth every penny! We had daily massages, 3 huge a la carte meals, evening sunset cruises, and the most amazing staff in the world. If you go to Alleppey this is definitely not a place to miss.

Our Next stop in Alleppey was just the opposite, completely dreadful. The Alleppey Beach Resort was a place which misled my wife and I by telling us that they have their own private beach but when we got there we saw that is was not.

The room (10000 Rupees for 3 nights not including any meals) we had was beautiful, it had the most amazing a/c unit and bathroom, but we were disgusted by the human waste all over the beach and by the threatening manner in which the locals would stare at my wife. We wanted to leave after the first night but were not given a refund of our payment. (Well 2000 was refunded in the end.) We just wanted to leave, so my wife and I booked a taxi to Munnar (4000 rupees for the trip there and back and a driver for 2 days.) We were so happy to leave and Munnar was a sheer delight. The drive took about 4 hrs and we felt like we were in a different world. Being high in the mountains and the among the tea plantations was a relief.

Time seemed to have stopped and we found the PERFECT place to stay. Cloud 9 hotel (Deluxe Room 3000 rupees, includes b-fast), which is about 20 km outside Munnar is an incredible hotel. It is nestled in the mountains and in between vivid green tea plantations. Our view form the room opened up to glorious mountains and vast fields of tea plantations.

The service was just fine and we wished we had stayed here all along. Hope this helps if you're planing a trip to Kerala. Siddharth PS email me if you want any pics of the hotels we went to, I have lots.