IETE SPIT KERALA iVisit'2010

 

		



                                                               

		                                                IETE SPIT thanks all the iVisitors

                   As predicted, the Kerala visit was a scintillating one.Well, where do we begin from ? Let’s go in the order it all unfolded.

We began our train journey from Mumbai on 10th Jan. What initially seemed a long 28-hour journey was obviously not that tiring thanks 

to our lively i-visitors, the cards stuff, live antakshari and what not! So,Day 2 and we arrive at Ernakulam station bang on time at around 

2.30 pm.  After a 15 minute bus-journey, we check in to our first hotel, Hotel Sealord,  right in the heart of Kochi. From the windows, 

we see the serene backwaters of Kerala, a sight in itself. Come evening and we take a local walk along the Marine Drive (yes you 

read it right, Marine Drive of Kochi). 

                           Day 3 and we kickstart our actual sightseeing. The boat-cruise of Kochi was a was a wonderful ride with the  2-deck 

cruise and the small islands of Mattinacherry where we visited a Jewish Synagogue, an ancient church with the grave of Vasco-da-Gama 

and the huge  Chinese fishing nets(their mechanism was interesting).We then set out for our  journey to Munnar, the star-attraction of 

the entire trip.

                            Day 4 and Munnar did not fail to live up to its descriptions. The endless expanse of tea-plantations all around, the 

cotton-white clouds just a  catch away, the crystal-clear waterfalls, the dense green forests surrounding  our hotel, it was all so relaxing

 and scenic. Early morning and we visit the Eravikulam National Park. We were fortunate enough  to spot several Nilgiri Thars, the species

 endemic to that area. After that, it  was time for some industry watch and Tata Tea Unit was just the right place.  Having seen their 

processing unit and the large machines, buying some tea to  take back home and of course, the free tea samples taste (unlimited); it was  

just the perfect farewell for us. The evening saw us headed towards the  Matupatty Dam, again a scenic location. Here most of us let the 

child inside us  unleash and went for the gun-balloon game! At night, the hotel terrace was  witness to a campfire and more importantly, 

SPIT antics! I think everybody  enjoyed to the hilt the Housie and Ping-Pang-Pong games!

                            Day 5 and we were en-route to our next location, Thekkady. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary trekking session was an 

enjoyable experience for most!  Walking through narrow paths in the forest and taking group snaps on hill-tops,  it was all fun to the fullest! 

                            Day-6 saw us leave for Kovalam, a coastal town. And our hotel there was  just the perfect location to conclude our trip.

Overlooking the Arabian Sea, our hotel had a private beach ( the night  football games were superb) and a swimming pool. Though we 

were a touch behind  schedule, the hotel landscape was enough motivation for most of us to get  through the night without an iota of sleep! 

                            Day-7 and it was time to get on board our train for Mumbai! While the  return journey witnessed a dull start as compared 

to the first one naturally  (thanks to most of us sleeping for 7 hours in total for the last 7 days), it  slowly gained momentum the next day 

(Day 8) and we were back in business, with  the usual toothpaste-on-your-face stuff and the yelling and screaming, much to the disdain of 

fellow passengers- but who cared, it was the last day after all! 

                            By evening it was all over! The time between the two Sundays(10th and 17th Jan) passed like lightning and each one of 

our 41-strong  contingent had a time of their lives. You could notice the emotional ‘bye-byes’  at the station, though we knew we would 

again see each others’ faces regularly  again in a week’s time! So, the week-long experience ended and the messaging to  one another 

after returning home was an evidence of the lasting impression the trip had left on everyone’s mind!

                            I think it would be only right to mention the Committee’s effort in  making the trip a success by and large.We were working 

from almost 3 months  before and even during the exams. A special mention and thanks to Anjana- your Malayalam was of supreme help 

in Kerala and saved much of our time! Thanks to Ishan for striking great deals everywhere and managing the finances well. Also Nishita 

for handling the paperwork! And of course, I too deserve some credit  for my work for sure, don’t I?

                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                           - by Akshay Joshi.