[travelog]

Post-Retirement Road Trip:
Exploring Kerala’s Hidden Charms

Our first road trip post-retirement began with a flight to Kochi, a city known for its history and culture. From the airport, we took an hour-long Uber ride to our homestay in Fort Kochi, where we stayed for three days. Then, we picked up a Hyundai i20 MT petrol self-drive car from Zoomcar, ready to explore Kerala’s scenic landscapes.


Day 1: Discovering Fort Kochi on Foot
The first two days were all about walking through the charming streets of Fort Kochi, a place that remineded me of Pondicherry and Goa. After settling into our homestay, we strolled to the tranquil beach, enjoying the serenity as it was not very crowded. Brunch at Pandhal Cafe & Deli was a delightful mix of delicious food and featuring some captivating paintings.
We then visited the historic St. Francis Church, built in 1503, which was Vasco da Gama’s initial resting place. Though his remains were later moved to Lisbon, the church remains a testament to Kochi’s colonial history.
Lunch at Marina Restaurant offered scenic views of passing ships and boats, followed by a visit to the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, where we witnessed a breathtaking sunset. The day concluded with a sumptuous dinner at Mai House Heritage Hotel, before we retired to our homestay for the night.










Day 2: A Guided Tour of Fort Kochi
We began the day with a fascinating two-hour guided tour of Fort Kochi, delving deeper into its history and vibrant culture. Breakfast at the well known Kashi Art Cafe was a perfect start for our further exploration.
An autorickshaw ride took us to the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth, built in 1568. Close by is the Mattancherry Palace, or Dutch Palace, a museum showcasing exquisite Kerala murals and artifacts from the Rajas of Kochi. Despite its name, the palace was originally constructed by the Portuguese.
In the evening, we were enthralled by a Kathakali performance at the Great KV Kathakali Centre—a must-see for any visitor to Kerala. We had dinner at Warehouse Cafe & Restaurant and retired for the night at our homestay.















Day 3: Beach Day at Marari
Our Hyundai i20 was delivered to our homestay, and we set off for Marari Beach, near Alleppey. The narrow coastal road added to the charm of the journey. Our beachfront villa was like paradise, offering peace and solitude as we were the only ones on the entire beach stretch. We spent the evening unwinding by the waves, ordering lunch via Zomato, and later dining at a quaint local eatery.





Day 4: Backwaters Bliss and a Scenic Drive to Vagamon
A short drive brought us to the boat jetty for our four-hour backwaters ride. The sights of birds, fishermen, and passing boats made for an amazing experience. After a stop on an island for breakfast, we reluctantly disembarked to continue our journey to Vagamon.
En route, we savored a traditional lunch at a Kallu Shap (Toddy Shop), and I even carried a little toddy to enjoy later in the evening. The drive through forested roads to Vagamon was picturesque, with rain adding a touch of adventure. We checked into our stay and ventured out for dinner, navigating near-zero visibility—a thrilling end to the day.






Day 5: From Vagamon to Munnar
The road to Munnar was a mix of lush forests, steep inclines, and scenic landscapes. On the way, we stumbled upon a bungee jumping spot, though I opted out in favor of off-road driving. My wife, however, ventured ahead and had a fantastic time.
In Munnar, we checked into a nice farmhouse homestay. The afternoon was spent exploring a chocolate factory, indulging in tastings, and later enjoying a Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performance—a cultural highlight of our trip.


Day 6: Tea Estates and Eravikulam National Park
After a hearty South Indian breakfast, we visited a tea estate, followed by an exhilarating boat ride at Mattupetty Dam, where we had the top deck to ourselves. Later, we explored Eravikulam National Park, famous for its conservation efforts. Despite heavy rains where we didn't come across wildlife, the trek and the journey were enjoyable.
Dinner at The Underground Charcoal Grill offered a delightful fusion of Mexican cuisine and grills, a perfect way to end the day.





Day 7: A Scenic Return to Kochi
The drive back to Kochi was smooth, with excellent roads for most of the journey. We stopped for a leisurely lunch en route and wrapped up the trip with dinner at Sree Ananda Bhavan in Kochi before boarding our overnight sleeper coach to Bengaluru.


Reflections
This road trip was a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation, leaving us with cherished memories of Kerala’s stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and vibrant traditions.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage today

[black.beauty]

Great captures, and seems like you've covered Kerala well except the southern most parts of Varkala and around. I am planning to do a Fort Kochi myself, in the Christmas. Which would you recommend of the two: Warehouse café or Marina Restaurant, since I'm there only a few hours. Also, do we need to book Kathakali and Kalari Payatu in advance?

[Vinod_nair]

Welcome to the 2nd innings gang

Beautiful travelogue with sharp and crisp pictures, what camera do you use?

Enjoy your 2nd innings life.

Regards.

[travelog]

Thanks! Once I have my own car I will be doing the entire again for sure. Both were average and between the two warehouse cafe was slightly better. We went to these as there were in proximity of our walk. If you can, please try the restaurant at the Mai House Heritage Hotel.

You may be able to book through your hotel or homestay, however I am attaching the ticket which has the info.

Best, Narayan

[travelog]

Thanks for the compliments! Earlier had Nikon F3, FG, now it's just iphone 12 mini

Best, Narayan

[Laxmistart]

Ever since i watched Maara(Charlie), Kochi has always been in my bucket list.
Reading your travelogue has kindled that excitement again, those streets and backwaters, thank you for sharing!

[deathwalkr]

What tree spawned this?

[travelog]

Thanks & am overwhelmed at the thought that I could re-ignite your excitement & trust you soon visit this destination and tick off from your bucket list