Beyond the Backwaters

Kappil, just six kilometres from Bekal, was advertised as a lovely and virgin beach. So we hopped into an auto-rickshaw and headed for The beach turned out to be really secluded— almost devoid of human life. Pure white a playful sea breeze, an outcropping of the sweeping waves and the complete seclusion combined to create an irresistible temptation to get into the water.

Later in the day, we headed for Chandragiri Fort. Another long, winding auto ride brought us to a tiny, rocky hillock overlooking the sea. We scrambled to the top to find a fort wall and a view. It was wonderfully picturesque—the sea in front, the backwaters on one side and a thick coconut grove behind. We enjoyed a spectacular sunset there.

The next day we set out for Valiyaparamba, advertised as one of the most serene backwater stretches in Kerala. Our quest did not get off to a propitious start. When we asked for direc-tions at Bekal’s bus stand, we got mixed reac-tions. Many had not heard of the place.

Finally, after much trouble, an auto driver at nearby Chervattur agreed to take us there. Af-ter a short drive, he stopped in front of a little shack. “This is a jetty,” he conveyed to us, “and that ferry there will go to Valiyaparamba.”

It was difficult to believe that, but we got in. Sometime later, it chugged off down the quiet backwaters, stopping periodically at deserted jetties. Then, came Valiyaparamba. It was a shady cove, with a grassy floor and coconut palms towering overhead. We settled down for a luxurious afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

When the ferry finally returned that evening, it was with extreme reluctance that we picked ourselves up to return to the civilised world.