Stepping into Green Garden Holiday Homes, Kumarakom is like stepping into a postcard. The small, beautiful cottages are surrounded by lush green paddy fields, and wild ducks and egrets walk lazily past. The four cottages are spacious, and each pair of cottages is connected to each other. Two of the cottages, which are called the heritage rooms, are built in the typical Kerala style, with teak wood on the outside walls.
The interiors are simple, while the exteriors are decorated with tasteful knick-knacks that probably adorned houses of old; weaver birds’ nests, lanterns, wooden easy chairs…Each cottage has its own sit-out with an easy chair or a hammock; If you’re looking to be completely relaxed, stretch out on the hammock under the coconut and banana trees, and watch the birds fly past. Or you could sit on the steps leading to your cottage in the mornings, and be entertained by the koel’s song.
The homestay, which has four air-conditioned rooms, is run by Abhilash Pushkaran and his family, with the help of a handyman and a cook. On your arrival, you are welcomed with a cool drink of tender coconut. The family provides for all of your needs without coming in your way. They have perfected the art of keeping their guests well-cared for, without being intrusive.
Abhilash’s father Pushkaran, a retired government employee, is always at hand, looking after the guests’ needs, and is always willing to help you out – whether it is with sightseeing suggestions or travel arrangements. He is very knowledgeable about Kerala’s art and culture, and passionate about films; he offers to screen Malayalam movies for the guests, and interpret the dialogues for those who don’t understand the language. Guests who are more interested in games and sports will find good company in Abhilash, who is good at chess, badminton and cricket. Pushkaran’s wife Omana is a great cook, and can teach you to cook traditional delicacies from the region; she is also known in the locality for her beautiful flower arrangements, which decorate every corner or the premises during the Onam season.
The homestay is known as much for its beauty as for the lip-smacking food that is cooked by Lathika, the cook, who specializes in karimeen fry (made from the karimeen, a fish specific to this region), prawn fry and duck roast. Luckier ones get to sample freshly-caught fish from the nearby lake. There’s plenty to do around here: go on a cruise arranged by the home owners, visit the bird sanctuary, grab a book and settle down on the hammock, or watch a kathakali performance arranged for you, at the homestay premises.
Be sure of this - you’re looking for a place which will help you set your day-to-day concerns aside and enjoy a time of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, then this is definitely it!
|
