Leave UR Mark interns go to Kerala: by Natasha Gell

Arrived and immediately started snapping

 

If there is a reason to choose interning abroad in Bangalore over Northern India, it’s the proximity to various weekend excursions available to all Leave UR Mark participants.  We recently traveled to the beautiful region of Kerala which has all that you need.  Quiet backwaters channels with slow moving houseboats, lively beaches, quiet beaches, hill stations with breathtaking views, national park treks with wildlife tours and lively city centres packed with abundant shopping outlets, forts, museums and restaurants.

 

 

 

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Breakfast served by our onboard chef

After the exhausting journey, the group were downtrodden by heat, lack of sleep, and the prospect of another uncomfortable taxi journey along bumpy roads. By the time we reached the office of the boathouse we had booked for the weekend, we were nearly a day behind schedule. The taxi took us the final few yards down to the boat and the car lightened with delighted exhalations from Leave UR Mark interns of ‘awww’ ‘ohhh’ and ‘wow’. The houseboat was amazing and everyone clambered on board, to our amusement some more gracefully than others; and we excitedly checked out the boat. I heard an intern express “this makes it all worthwhile”. Cameras were poised and soon the excitement of the trip was recharged and we settled into the onboard rooms, showered and changed with the sweat and stress of the journey behind us.Houseboats seem a little expensive, (for Indian prices) as you’ll pay approximately Rs. 2500 each for the day and night, but they are worth every penny. The price will nearly always include lunch, snacks, dinner, and breakfast (but do check this before you choose an operator) on top of your day cruise and onboard evening accommodation. And you really cannot put a price on the views.

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Morning View on the houseboat

Houseboats seem a little expensive, (for Indian prices) as you’ll pay approximately Rs. 2500 each for the day and night, but they are worth every penny. The price will nearly always include lunch, snacks, dinner, and breakfast (but do check this before you choose an operator) on top of your day cruise and onboard evening accommodation. And you really cannot put a price on the views.

 
 
Our evening passed with the pleasant calm that embodies those calm backwaters. We chose the less tourist area of Kumarakom over the better known Alleppey and awoke fresh, with more wonderful food from our onboard chef. We cruised the water all morning and left to begin the next part of Kerala journey, to Munnar and met friendly locals to point us in the right direction. As the bus climbed it had got colder and Johanna, a volunteer from Sweden, seemed to get a new birth of energy, happily giggling “it’s like being on a rollercoaster”. Spurred on by Johanna’s optimistic outlook, I cheerfully piped that the journey itself was an experience, certainly something we’ll remember!  Well rested we met with our auto driver for the day and set off and remembered why we came. You don’t have to reach the top before you appreciate the views in Munnar.
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Friendly tea pickers waving for camera
Temperatures are a little chillier than what we’re now all used too but it was a bright sunny day and we came round a corner and out of every mouth came a ‘WOW!”. At the top of the hills, standing along with the rolling clouds we halted the driver and jumped out to take in the view.
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The “WOW” view we had to stop for
Once we exhausted the view here we excitedly went to the top view station, though declined from paying to go to the view point as it clearly didn’t go any higher and as you will find everywhere in India, there’s one price for Indians and a completely different price for foreigners.  
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View from the top
Our auto freewheeled most of the way back and there was little chatter from the group, we just sat quietly watching hills as we descended. What a trip. Some lows yes, but what highs! I heard a chorus of agreement at the repeated claim that the travelling had all been worthwhile in the end.
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Elephant rides on the way up
Big smiles all round!!!
This is a weekend trip organized by Leave UR Mark.  To take part in our programs please sign up for our volunteer/intern abroad projects through our website: www.leaveurmark.com or email us at info@leaveurmark.com.  
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Posted on December 26, 2012 by in Side Trips / Cultural Activities

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