Mavady...RAVISHING !!

I do not have any better word to sum up the overwhelming feeling I had when I visited this place. Mavady, far away from the mayhem of Cochin, tucked away in green, is the ideal getaway. Located at the foothills of Wagamon, this place is the great get-away from the quintessential Indian City. Its a great drive up to Mavady - nothing short of bliss - especially if you are the kind who love chicanes. So go get that SUV !!

Vanilla county is a 60 year old villa, and stands amidst a plantation of vanilla and rubber. The villa was built by my grandmother's brother and the estate is part of the 1000 acres given to my great grandfather by the Maharaja. Built using teakwood and limestone, this building still carries an aura that is no match for today's Indian homes. If you like rains, this is the place. The cascades outside the villa palter - " its raining "- all the time !!

Step outside, and you are greeted with the scent of vanilla by a cool breeze. The road down to natures own rock pool is surrounded by 'skirted' rubber trees. Walk a little more to have a swim in the clear water's of Teekoy River - one of the tributaries of the Meenachil river.

Wagamon is only half an hours' drive away. This is a must visit destination if you visit Vanilla county. The sight of the lush-green covered hills is a spectacle. Another place to visit is the Indo-Swiss dairy farm project, managed by the Kurisumala priests.

So...get a back pack, a camera, some books and head to one of the must see destinations in Kerala ! And do get an off-roader if you can find one !!