Kerala - Human by Nature
“To let the eyes wander over the endless greenery, observing people at their daily craft.
To feel the fresh breeze, that carries away your thoughts, and feeling grounded and re-connected to earth.”
My last visit to Kerala in September 2019 truly left an impression on me.
I would love to share my experience and thoughts with you in this collaborated article with Kerala Tourism, which focuses on their latest campaign “Human by Nature”.
The feeling of being connected to nature and being close to locals while exploring the country was an unforgettable experience.
About Kerala:
Kerala, also famously known as “God’s own country” is located on the southern coast of India. Home to a beautiful network of lagoons (backwaters), sprawling tea plantations and palm tree lined beaches.
I have visited a few places in Kerala and if I had to choose I would definitely recommend visiting two of my favourites.
First one on the list would be the well known Backwaters located in Alleppey. Second the beautiful mountain range of Munnar.
Exploring alleppey
Located in the heart of the Backwaters of Kerala, Alleppey also called the “Venice of the East”, is definitely a place worth visiting. Iconic for its beautiful houseboat cruises and not to be missed on a trip to Kerala.
There is nothing more relaxing than slowly cruising down the river, while sipping on a fresh coconut and taking in the surroundings. The lush greenery and stretch of endless palm trees are not only beautiful but very calming at the same time.
What I found most fascinating is how close you can observe the way of life of the people while cruising along the Backwaters. The beautiful interaction between humans and nature is truly an experience.
Observing man climbing on coconut trees, children playing outside and frequent boats passing by, that are transporting goods, animals as well as people is a common sight.
The famous houseboats are traditionally called Ketuvallam. Renting one of those unique boats and voyaging along the beautiful network of lakes is a beautiful experience.
What impressed me the most was catching a glimpse of the villages while passing through the canals. The diverse and rich culture that you will encounter is simply one of a kind .
The strong human connection to nature and the pride of the country reflects in the kindness of the people. Wherever I passed I was always greeted with a warm smile or an excited wave from the other side.
The feeling of inclusiveness I had while visiting was outstanding. Not only the warm hospitality of the people but also the generous Keralan food culture.
No matter where you tried local food it was served with pride and lots of attention to detail. Being generous lies in the culture of the people and you will constantly be experiencing these kind gestures wherever you go.
Make sure not to miss out on all the fantastic Indian dishes such as Appam, Kappa, Puttu in combination with various curry dishes. The fried bananas, locally known as “Pazham Pori”, became my favourite snack on my trip.
Another must try is the so called “Fish Molee”, a spicy fish and coconut dish.
travel fact: did you know that the backwaters cover almost half of the length of Kerala?
discover Munnar
What to experience:
The beautiful mountain range of Munnar is famously known for their breathtaking tea estates and the exotic flora and fauna.
Various shades of greens, surrounded by misty hills and valleys will automatically make you feel an inner-peace and close connection to nature. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and you are looking for a peaceful place to unwind, Munnar is the right place for you.
Situated in the Western Ghats mountain range, Munnar has several tea estates to choose from. Some of them offer a plantation walk, where you can learn more about the tea estate business as well as all the varieties of spices which grow in the region.
While walking through one of the world’s highest tea plantations surrounded by sprawling acres of green land I had the chance to observe the daily craft of the tea farmers.
So don’t miss out on a walk through the breathtaking tea plantation and for a perfect end of the day treat yourself with some delicious Indian chai or coffee .
Human by Nature
Did you know that Kerala is one of the states which celebrates the highest number of festivals? Kerala also has a unique diversity in wildlife and is home to many forms of religions.
The people of Kerala set an excellent example of belonging to different religions yet still living together and embracing diverse cultural traditions.
My experience while visiting Kerala was defined by human encounters. Every smile made me feel included and welcome and isn’t this exactly what we travellers look for when exploring a new culture and country?
Has this article left you wanting to know and explore more about the people of Kerala?
Get more travel inspiration and a closer look into the life of the people of Kerala showcased in the beautiful and truly “Human by Nature” video.