As you walk into the 75 years old Arunima bungalow near the main Alappuzha canal, you are transcended into an era of flourishing spice business. The ancient home to a merchant reverberates with history on how the main vault was secured at the back of the house, while the owner peeked from a low window to the street outside and numerous traders thronged the main hall.
High roofed rooms with sturdy reliable doors still stand sound with minimal restoration. A quaint roofless atrium, around which the 8 rooms are built, houses a fountain with a mysterious underground drain joining the canal. Mr. Sali has now creatively decided to hang some delicate chains to the roof to guide rainwater in the fountain. An old broad swing suspends lazily near the fountain. All rooms bear a charming antiquity with stained glass panels near the doors and archaic furniture. Some rooms have wide verandahs overlooking the street below. The house also has a typical Kerala wooden verandah overlooking the garden in the front yard. With his fascination for wood, Mr. Sali has used a number of steps in the house but all stairways are safely guarded for children with low gates.
Endearingly called ‘Granpa’ & ‘Granma’ in almost all messages left to the couple in their Guest Book, it is evident that Mr. Sabu Sali and his wife have extended extraordinary hospitality to their guests from various parts of the world. Along with the sumptuous food, the couple fills you with appetizing stories of King Keshav Das, woven around the central canal of Alappuzha.
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