Make your way to paradise

It’s 5.30 in the morning, and I am trailing a snaky path to the sound of crickets and chirping birds in a jungle that is sure to tempt the Ramsay brothers into shooting their next horror flick.

But then, this must be a dream right, because unless I am partying, 5.30 seems to be an insane hour to get up, forget walking about in unknown forests. But then, no matter how many times I pinch myself, this is reality. And I am on my way to check out the winged creatures at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala.

I arrived in Kumarakom , a small backwater village in Kerala, on a lazy Friday morning — hopping across from one end of the country to another in a journey spanning almost eight hours and with the help of transport that included everything from an Airbus to a car and even a snazzy speedboat to reach God’s Own Country.

My destination: The Zuri Resort & Spa in Kumarakom. Sprawled on over 18 acres on one bank of Vembanad Lake — the second largest lake in India that spreads over an expanse of 1,512sq km — the resort is well-suited for those who want to enjoy a lazy holiday in the lap of nature.

A grand welcome, complete with garlands, musicians and even an elephant awaited us once we crossed a section of the lake to reach the resort. Hungry after a super-long journey, the first thing we did was to check out Lime Tree — the all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant and help ourselves to enormous helpings of everything.

Dragon in the stomach satiated, it was time to check out my room. It was a cottage named Chalakudi, built in Kerala-style, with a charming porch overlooking the lagoon. There was even an outdoor rain shower, where you could indulge yourself without the fear of prying eyes. Zuri has 28 such cottages, named after different Kerala rivers, each with a fantastic view of the lagoon. To my joy, I discovered, there was a hammock and also a deck overlooking the lagoon right next to my cottage. Such bliss for book lovers!

I had immediately made my plan to lie in the hammock and finish the book I was reading. But that had to be put on hold for sometime as I had already booked myself into Cloud Nine, a spa treatment that promises to give you the feeling of returning to the mother’s womb.

So it was time to hop on to my cycle (yes, cycles, golf carts or bogeys as they are called, and your humble feet are the only modes of transport inside the resort which has resolved to be eco-friendly. And boy! Was I pleased to land myself a cycle once again!) and head to Maya Spa, that comes with an infinity pool.

Mother’s womb or not, the massage prior to the water treatment certainly puts you into deep slumber. Completely relaxed, it was time for me to cycle to the open-air amphitheatre where a performance was being held. This was typical Kerala-style entertainment — with song, dance and a mind-blowing display of Kalaripayattu — the local martial art that originated centuries ago.

The next morning was time for some Yoga at the Body Temple — a small island right on the lagoon and to reach it you have to cross a charming wooden bridge, where a blackbird decided to lazily spread its wings and give me a chance to try my luck at photography.

After a hearty breakfast, I headed for a backwater cruise down the lake. The destination: the R-block, which is known for backwater fishing. The vehicle: a luxurious wooden houseboat. The lake, as I found out, has been formed due to silting, on the western coast, by the Arabian Sea, thereby depositing huge trails of sand and on the eastern side by a flood some 1,200 years ago.

The cruise meant some breathtaking scenery, with water lapping around you — there couldn’t have been a better way to relax. The Chinese were right, water does have this calming effect on you.

Back at the resort, it was time for a property tour. The Zuri Resort is divided into Zuri Rooms, which are located on the ground floor with a stunning view of the lagoon, the Zuri Deluxe, on the first floor overlooking the lagoon and with a view of the Vembanad Lake, Zuri cottages and the Zuri Presidential Pool Villa that comes with trappings like a private garden with swimming pool and Jacuzzi on the shores of the lake.

There is also the Maya Spa with numerous spa rooms and a salon. For tummy treats, there’s the Lime Tree, the Laguna Bass, a fine-dining restaurant that serves seafood specialities, the Marqueess, a cigar lounge, The Trunk Call Bar and 2 Blue, a poolside snack and beverage bar. The resort also has two large conference halls and a banquet hall.

At The Zuri, you are never far away from the relaxing experience of the water, no matter which part of the property you are in. Even if you’re simply lying on your bed, you can see the water — either the lagoon or the lake.

Another day was fast wrapping up, and so was my duration of stay. I was looking forward to the bird sanctuary visit. I was told that the place is a haven for local and migratory birds like cormorants (from which Kumarakom got its name), snake birds, night herons and more. I did manage to spot a few birds, which were all set to take flight.

Back at the resort, it was a lazy Sunday. As the day passed by and the sun set on the Vembanad Lake, a strange lull had come over, which would soon give way to thundershower and rain. Monsoon had come to Kerala and I was to leave it behind.

Ready reckoner

Getting there: The nearest airport is Cochin, a two-hour drive. You can also take a train from Kottayam, 16km away, or fly from Thiruvananthapuram, 180km away.

Where to stay: The Zuri Resort & Spa if you want a luxurious holiday. Packages start at Rs 10,000. For reservations call + 91 481 2527272.


The Personal Telegraph