Kerala- The Extraordinary Painting Of Nature On The World Canvas

I wanted to experience heaven on earth, the treasure of nature's pristine beauty and the holidays, which are indescribably relaxing, pleasurable and memorable. And more importantly, I wanted a 'much needed break' from the monotony of the urban life. Fortunately, God sneaked me a wonderful opportunity to visit the rightly called 'God's own country', Kerala. One of my friends was going to Kerala for vacations and she asked me if I would like to join in. Thanks to my boss who spared me for a few days. Being a travel aficionado, I packed my bags and embarked on the journey with a big smile on my face. I did my some home work by browsing through some websites on Kerala, in order to make sure that we don't miss out any of its great attractions. The state offers a plethora of choices to please its tourists to the hilt. Kerala is what the National Geographic Magazine rated to be one of the 50 must-see destinations of the world.

Our first halt in Kerala was Cochin(also called Kochi), popularly known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. Cochin is also one of the best natural harbors in the world. Cochin greeted us with salubrious climate, gorgeous green environment, the mesmerizing views of the palm-fringed islands, the giggling of the sea waves, the picture-perfect sights of the houseboats and a feeling of being transported straight into the lap of Mother nature. What else can you ask for!

The exciting ferry ride took us to the houseboat where we were already booked. The houseboats on the Cochin backwaters are one of the most striking attractions . After a refreshing break during which we also feasted on the traditional cuisine of Kerala, we set out on our journey and visited the most exotic destinations of Cochin. The views of the Cochin backwaters offered us an experience cocooned in natural beauty. The description of Cochin is incomplete without the mention of the famous and beautiful Chinese Fishing Nets, which are very efficient means of backwater fishing.

Cherishing the natural beauty of Cochin in our hearts we made our way to the Dutch Palace, which reflects the great Indian mythological themes through beautiful murals. From floors to ceilings, everything was done to perfection. The notable feature of the floor is that despite of being made from the mixture of burned coconut shells, lime, charcoal, plant juices and egg white,it gives the impression of a marble floor.

Our next halt was the Jewish Synagogue whose history dates back to the 16^th century. It is known for its architectural beauty, especially for its tile work. It is festooned with hand painted tiles which were imported from China. Also notable are the wood crafts, arresting artifacts and gold and silver crowns.

Post lunch, we went to St. Francis Church, which was constructed in an impressive European style. Its lush green gardens are also refreshing. The church also boasts of brilliant paintings.

Last but not the least, and in fact one of the most important attractions in Cochin is 'shopping'. Pressed for time, we decided to dedicate some quality time to go on a shopping spree, before its too late, as we had to leave for Alleppy the next day. We bought a wide variety of appealing handicrafts, which included coconut shell items, bamboo canes, jewelery and some metal wares.

After shopping we went back to our houseboat and spent a great time there. After a wonderful dining experience we retired to bed, eagerly waiting to explore more treasures of Kerala.