Sampath and His Family’s Memorable Trip to Kerala with Thrillophilia
The plan to visit Kerala took its shape when all the sisters, brothers, and their children visited our home on a cosy rainy evening. After dinner and some family conversations, everyone decided to look at the old photo album.
My nephew pointed to a photograph playfully and asked, “Where is this beautiful place?”
My father smiled and said, “It is Kerala, a long time ago.”
“We should all go to Kerala again. But this time, the entire family will be going with us,” my mother added.
And this way, a small conversation gave way to a full-fledged plan. For the first time in years, all 13 of us were going to take a trip together. The three generations are travelling for the first time ever.
We packed our bags and soon boarded our flight from Mumbai to Coimbatore.
The Waterfalls and Treasures of Munnar
As soon as we landed in Coimbatore, a driver named Nagendran was waiting for us with a cheerful smile. And soon, our drive to Munnar started.
The view outside was spectacular throughout the drive. On our way to the hills, we passed by the beautiful Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. We also saw a vast area of mist-covered hills on the Karadippara View Point. The kids were delighted to see the tea gardens. All the family members were showing excitement in their own unique way, and it was absolutely worth it.
We reached our hotel by evening, which was surrounded by tall trees. Later, we shared our excitement over the dinner table, exploring some of the beautiful places during the day. Seeing the smiling faces of my family members all around made me a little emotional.
The next day, we set out to explore the luscious green landscapes of Munnar. Our expedition started with a boat ride at Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Lake. We then visited Echo Point, where everybody yelled their names and laughed their heart out when the hills replied back.
At Eravikulam National Park, the kids spotted a Nilgiri Tahr. Soon, everyone started clicking pictures of it, and my brother declared it the best shot of the trip. Our day exploration ended at the Tea Museum, where we learnt how tea is made on these hills.
The entire day was fun, and we enjoyed every bit of it.
Temples, Beaches, and Silver Sands at Kovalam
The drive from Munnar to Kovalam was 7 hours long. We played Antakshari and enjoyed the views through the drive.
We halted at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. My parents folded their hands to pray, and every grandchild followed them.
After paying our respects at the temple and travelling for another 12 kilometres, we finally reached Kovalam. The beach outside our hotel was shining under the bright sun. Thrillophilia had planned a beachside dinner for us during the evening. When everyone gathered for dinner, we were all surprised to see the fairy lights, fresh seafood, the beach on one side and sand beneath our feet. It was looking like some extravagant Bollywood movie scene.
Equally amazed, my sister said, “It is the best journey of our lives and all thanks to Thrillophilia for making it so effortless.”
Backwaters in Alleppey
The next morning, we travelled to Alleppey, where there were plenty of palm trees and the backwaters were glistening under the sun.
We checked into our hotel and spent the rest of the day exploring the narrow alleys, waving to locals from tiny boats, and tasting toddy for the first time (just the adults, of course!). The kids learned how to say Thank You in Malayalam from the hotel staff and used the same words to thank everyone.
At night, we sat by the lake to share stories from our childhood.
Culture and Cocoa in Coimbatore
We left Alleppey with heavy hearts and headed to Coimbatore, which was the last stop of our Kerala trip.
Here, we explored the GD Naidu Industrial Exhibition with complete curiosity and nostalgia. The kids asked questions faster than even we could answer.
Later, the Botanical Garden invoked the artists in our hearts as everyone tried to recreate a flower they saw. The elders found a peaceful joy at Perur and Vinayagar Temples.
We travelled through the entire Kerala in these six days, but the real joy was the smiles as we tasted local sweets and snacks.
Until Another Journey
On the last day, we packed our bags to leave for home. However, there was a sense of quietness all around. No one wanted this journey to end.
This trip was so wonderful that it gave us stories and jokes that we would tell each other for years. The cousins who did not know much about each other bonded so well during the trip that no one was ready to be separated.
I want to give a special shout-out for this experience to Kamini Kumari. Her “warmth and genuine connection with us made her more than just a coordinator; she felt like a dear friend and guide.
My father specifically appreciated the driver, Nagendran. He was truly a professional and one whom we would definitely miss; he was so sweet and very humble.
Thank you, Thrillophilia, for making this family holiday incredible! We love you.
Read More: Thrillophilia Kerala Reviews