2017 Sojourn!!......

Now that Christmas holidays arrived I needed some fun time with my family. So I wanted my independent Christmas holidays to be something I could turn back and say “oh that was a day”. We packed and loaded our bags to the bus station as per the scheduled time on our tickets. As usual the late arrival of our Maharajs made our agitations to aggression.

Yes your questions are in to full stop now. We are heading to Kannur and Kasaragod. 10 of us had hunkered down to our assigned seats. The cold breeze in the vehicle had Peter and Paul cuddled under their sweatshirts. The half way entertainment of Laletten’s Velipadinte Pusthakam leisured our time .The journey was going smooth untill we reached Ernakulam were we had a family occupying mine and David’s front seats. The cranking of their baby had mine and Kichu struggling hard with a little bit of envious of our siblings sound asleep. 5:15 early morning we had had ourselves waiting at the kannur bus stand for our driver. Our stay at Shiska Sadhan was perfect for our piggy banks. The trip availed us enough to experience with releasing and informative expedition.……… 

Mahi beach was our first spot. The morning site of the majestic beach is incomparable. The French colony had its traces through our travel. The morning mass at the St. Teresa’s church had showered blessings on our journey.10kms away we had Thalasserry was big town with all the avenues one could expect: shopping malls and gorgeous fashion boutiques were present everywhere. We craved our hunger with the special Thalassery biriyani. The surprising treat for our uppappens and kochammas on their anniversary made it for our dessert. Next the Tipu sultan’s Thalassery fort had lots to tell about our history. The day ends with a relaxation at the payyambalam beach. The sandy shore had given us lot to be nostalgic. We girls had done some boombergs while that time Peter and Paul started flying kite with their father to teach them do it.

The satisfactory breakfast from the Indian coffee house had given a new looked for its taste. Our traveller wheel geared up to Vadakara where we would be giving a glimpse of hand craftwork. Craft village is 20 arc lands on the shores of the Moorad Rivers of hard work hands behind each stall. The Indian village was a live witness of tradition crafts such as potter … the rare handcraft lifted us with information and eye opener for us children. Now thoughts were the hardworking hands and hours behind each little thing we see and use in our date to day lifes. Rajarajeshwara temple of lord Shiva was our next point. The stone carvings of the wall that remained were prehistoric to see. Our driver had told us it was destroyed by Tipu sultan. Evening encounter at Muzhapelkandi beach was something new.  A drive through the shore and splashes of water off our tyres was its thing. Bekal fort is always deep stupor of Kasaragod . Brick-stone used to construct it that offers a delicious contrast to the waters and the luscious green of the local flora had given its charm. the flawless sands of the beaches are family friendly. The rows of coconut trees raise their heads everywhere as they stand like Indians watching the sea side. Floating jars of various fruits and veggies were mouth watering in the café we had coffee.

Next day was to captivate kannur.1550s this become a Portuguese colony and the first viceroy here built the famed St. Angelo’s fort. Later the Dutch took over the fort and place in 1660s then built more bastions within the fort. Afterwards Sold to Ali raja of Arakkal then he lost it to the British in 1799. Numerous hands on Kannur had fusion of culture that is evident in its town attractive. Catch sight of the beach with its rocks ledges water splashes high against it with Waves fighting for hours together. St Angelo’s fort symbol of multi influences. The moss covered fort partially had me intrigue. The walk along the narrow alley of the sea fort was treated with a kaleidoscopic view of the Arabian Sea from all its sides. The cannons that were placed in most of the corners of the fort were used by the British. Old pillar stood was the tall lighthouse that was to guide the ships to the fort. Horse stables high arches, Small cell to store rooms, imprisonment cell, and Old church were some things that mesmerised me. The mishandling of the archaeology department leads a big thank you to the police officer for informing us the history. The Arakkal museum had relics of the Muslim kings that ruled the place. The bombarding journey ends with a small sale mela at the town. We purchased some books too. Settling our account with our stay and telling goodbye to Bushur uncle bought us to the end.  an idyllic holiday was the definition to this bonne vouage!!!...... 

Photo credits: David Williams