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Silver Sunday Sojourn #03 - A Quiet Start in Kerala
Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Silver Sunday Sojourn #3
Hello from Kerala
Hello there!
Greetings from Kerala!
After what felt like a very long journey through Doha, Kochi and Bengaluru, I've finally arrived and am writing this from northern Kerala.
Yesterday was deliberately quiet... Travel has a habit of reminding you that you don't always need to hit the ground running, and after several flights and rather too little sleep, I decided that sightseeing could wait.
I sat on the beach and watched the sunset... a perfect way to end the day.
Today, though, the exploring begins.
THIS WEEK'S SOJOURN
Why Kerala?
This isn't my first visit to India, but Kerala has been somewhere I've wanted to explore more deeply for some time.
It's a state that seems to have so many different layers: lush landscapes, beaches and backwaters, extraordinary food, traditional arts, wildlife, Ayurveda and a rich cultural heritage.
Over the coming days I'll be travelling through northern Kerala before making my way south, meeting people, trying the food and discovering some of the traditions and places that make this part of India distinctive.
And, as always, I'll be looking beyond the obvious tourist sights.
What I'm looking forward to
I'm particularly interested in the people and traditions behind the places I visit.
I want to learn more about Kerala's food - and eat plenty of it - as well as its artisans, performers and cultural traditions. I'll also be keeping my camera busy, gathering stories and photographs that will eventually become new guides and articles on The Silver Nomad.
Some of those stories will take a little longer to tell properly.
But subscribers to The Silver Sojourn will get some of the discoveries along the way.
Planning your own trip to Kerala?
While I'm exploring, you can start with my Kerala Travel Guide, where I've brought together some of the places, experiences and practical information to help you begin planning a trip.
From my bookshelf — The Covenant of Water and The God of Small Things
As mentioned last week, I've brought India-themed reading with me for the journey, including The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy and The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
There is something rather lovely about reading a book connected to a place while you're actually travelling through it — although whether I'll have much time for reading once the itinerary starts remains to be seen.
On my desk - Curry!
Technically not on my desk, but on my plate — curry!
I love exploring all the different curries available, although I'm not quite used to eating them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Curry for breakfast may take a little more getting used to!
Through my lens
Taken on my phone when I arrived at Kannur Airport, feeling more than a little jet-lagged. This beautiful mural immediately lifted my spirits — and gave me a colourful glimpse of what was to come in Kerala.
Travel Wisdom
Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply sit on the beach and watch the world go by.
I know that it is tempting to rush out and explore the minute you land, but after a long journey, sometimes the best first day in a destination is a slow one.
Rest, unpack, take a walk, get your bearings and start sightseeing properly the following morning.
Next stop:
Today is my first proper day of exploring Kerala.
Rather than tell you now what I expect to find, I'd much rather tell you afterwards what actually surprised me.
I'll be sharing some of it here in the next Silver Sojourn.
Over to you
What would you like to know about Kerala? Is there something you'd like me to find out while I'm here — about the food, culture, places to visit or simply what it's like to travel here?
Hit reply and tell me. I'll keep your questions in mind as I travel around Kerala over the coming days.
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