Traveling makes me feel refreshed and reinvigorated and after having some really hectic months this year, I absolutely needed a refreshing break from work. After a lot of plan cancellations and rescheduling, I finally managed to take some time out to go on a trip on a much awaited long weekend. And Kerala being the nearest destination – I did not have to look out for anything else. I just got out a local Kerala map instead, and dramatically threw a dart at it, and picked ‘Kumarakom’ as my solo holiday destination.
I took a flight to the Cochin International Airport and reached by early afternoon. After a quick lunch, I took a cab to the hotel, from where my relaxing holiday began…
Day 1: Where to stay?Â
While looking for a luxurious and sophisticated option, Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa, Kerala just fit the bill perfectly. I selected the Heritage room. The room was spacious, neat, and very clean. It offered a stunning pool view from my window. After unpacking, I lounged in the huge bathtub and relaxed in the retro-designed bathroom. 
In the evening, I joined a few other guests in the hotelâs Leisure Center for a game of scrabble and carom. As it grew dark, women from the nearby communities started lighting lamps. The sight of this was simply magical and fascinating.
Post that, there was a cultural performance, which brought out the richness of the state. I was told by one of the staff members that this was a gesture of spreading Indian culture as well as a community initiative program by the hotel. No doubt that Taj Kumarakom, Kerala is considered as one of the best resorts in Kumarakom.Â
Day 2: What to do?Â
I woke up early in the morning to head out to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for the morning safari. While I am not too good when it comes to looking for birds, I did hear a number of them and spotted a white Ibis and a few Kingfishers. I returned to the resort by noon.
After a mouthwatering traditional Sadhya Lunch at the resort, I was in for another pleasant surprise. A backwater cruise to the quaint village of Ayemenem. It is one of the most picturesque spots of Kumarakom. The breathtaking views of the beautiful backwaters were a feast for my eyes. This was one of the unexpected advantages of living in a Kumarakom backwater resort.
After this afternoon with nature, I decided to spend the rest of my evening getting an Ayurvedic massage at the hotelâs in-house spa, Jiva. It was one of the best rejuvenating experiences I have ever had.
Day 3: Places to see?Â
I started my next day by visiting the Syrian Orthodox Kottayam Cheriapally Church and later the Thazhathangady Juma Masjid. The church has a number of attractions like murals on biblical and non-biblical themes, a 400-year-old painting, and an architecture comprising of Portuguese, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu elements. The Masjid, on the other hand, has exquisite carvings and is known to be around 1,000 years old.
On the way, I decided to walk back a little taking in the views of the traditional houses, shops, and other hotels in Kumarakom.
By evening, I checked out from the hotel and headed towards the airport to catch my flight. This long weekend was certainly refreshing and a memorable one. The amazing experiences make me want to come back to this beautiful place again and again.
Where else to go in Kerala? – Read more on the city of Thrissur, an off-beat guide.Â
About the Author: Smrithi Joshi, started traveling independently at the age of 19 and in just 3 short years have traveled across 20 states in India and 4 countries. She has recently started sharing her travel experiences, and professionally works as a behind-the-scenes website manager for a production company.
