Vast Blue Skies

CAPTIVATING KERALA Kerala – God’s own Country. A most sought after holiday destination for Indians and foreigners alike. Though small, this south Indian state boasts of all the necessary things to attract any earnest tourist. There may be so many others who have already made it their home! J and I were looking out for a honeymoon destination and we zeroed in on Kerala because we had heard so much about it. He wanted to visit Munnar and I have always dreamed of cruising down the backwaters. The Kerala Tourism Department’s green coconut palm-swaying logo beckoned. It brought about visions of tall, swaying coconut trees, blue backwaters, sandy beaches, lush green hills, blue-green sea. Putting aside the clichéd “Ayurvedic treatment packages” marketed all over, I wanted to know more about “Enchanting Kerala”. I was soon listing hotels, tour packages, train schedules, houseboat tariffs, sightseeing spots, how to get from one place to another, the best package deal, etc. etc. Whew!!! But it...