Majestic Kerala Tour: Cochin – Munnar – Alleppey
Majestic Kerala Tour:- The day I finished my office work and went home. Had dinner with family then go to bed for an early sleep. Because from the next day early morning I was mentally prepared that after this time there will be no time for rest till back to Delhi. Now the journey has been started. I went to Bus stand for board the coach towards Dehradun. Students were waiting for their awesome Kerala trip to get the best out of this beautiful corner of India with fewer crowds, supporting local and sustainable travel options along the way.
The next day an early morning When I reached the school hostel campus with my extremely funny colleague named “Sunny”, Nobody was there on reported time. After some wait Vishal Rawat sir, who was tour in-charge called me that he was on the way and about to come. When he arrived, students lined up and board the coaches in a disciplined manner. Later on we drive towards Dehradun Airport to take the flight to Cochin where there were 4.5 hours stop at Hyderabad. On arrival at Dehradun Airport, which was my 1st experience that this airport was too small as expected. Apart from this there was the only counter for issue the boarding passes for a large group while for me and sunny this was the normal group. But as per airport size, it was looking for a large group. Well on arrival Hyderabad Airport our aircraft need to change.
The teacher staff was so simple and very supportive. After distribution we offered for choice of food menu for teachers. We ordered the food counter. First time I experienced Hyderabadi Biryani which was very delicious and famous worldwide. After lunch we had a lot of time for boarding the next aircraft. All members going to exhausted gradually due to this delay.
Finally, time came and we started our next and last journey of the day. But we were not aware that how many journeys were in the future as a twist. On arrival we board the coach. There were two coaches 1 was 45-seater & the other one was 17-seater tempo. Driver Lijesh who was the driver of big coach & Driver Mathew was of Tempo. Sometimes we got to know that Lijesh was a mature and nice guy. He was very sincere about his work. He was understood English, Malayalam & Little bit of Hindi. Where Mathew was a funny character. He only knew only the Malayalam language. We arrived at the hotel. Vishal sir allotted the rooms.
That was my 4th time staying in this hotel. All rooms, Lobby, Dinning area, Swimming pool area was liked by Teachers. After room allotment I and sunny went to purchase snacks for the group. When we back we had dinner and went to our room.
The next day in early morning sunny went to Alleppey for a hotel visit and the arrangement of boat cruise ride for the group. In between I only escorted the group on the places St. Francis Church & Chinsing Fishing Net at Fort Kochi Area. The fisherman explained very well about the fishing net and showed them a practical work of fishing. I told the students to spend some time here and explore the place. I took some photographs of students & teachers. We back to the hotel for lunch. Sunny was already there after finish his work. Later on, we board the coach and drove towards Munnar. I was sitting nearby the faculty. Generally, it takes on 4 to 5 hours from Cochin to Munnar, but on that day It became a disaster.
There was a land sliding on our way to the hotel in Munnar. So, we diverted the route so that our time duration extended by 4 hours. It was a tough time to manage because there was a single route, no highway, Night time, there is no midway for girls for the washroom. We were already late and hungry. It was time to distributed extra snacks among the students & teachers. At last, we reached the hotel at 9:30 PM. As we decided before started room allotment, we send the group direct on dinner. Later on, Vishal sir distributed room keys. OMG !! that was the again shocking for me and sunny that allotted rooms were on so high area and all luggage was on the reception area. Students made notes as room keys on their luggage. So, the hotel staff made it possible. Well day ended. We sleep well after so much tired.
The next day in the morning we proceed for a nature walk which was of 2 Kms. At the endpoint there was the arrangement of good speaker & Team building games. Later on we back down with the group for lunch. Then we were excited for Kathakali Show that was at 5 PM as per our booking. We departed for this at 2:45 PM nearly. Students & teachers did not want to go there because of a long journey of 3 hours one way, but there was no scope to engage the group after lunch and Kathakali show was in our itinerary program. So that group has convinced and moved on. In between we explored the natural beauty and a scenic view at Lake point that was on our route. We spend their half an hour.
Then we proceeded to Kathakali show. On reaching time we got late by the 15 minutes. Still, on request the show manager allowed the students for the show. But allowing for Martial Art Show as too. That was at 6 PM. 2 Students also participate there. All other people also appreciated those girls. They did very well. Now we came back to the hotel. Students celebrated the birthday event of our 1 faculty. Now we came back to the room.
The next day an early morning wake up done. Students had breakfast and moved on the buses. On this day we were majorly exited only because after this we will not cover this type of long journey. This was our last long journey during the whole trip. Alleppey was our next destination. On arrival hotel, late lunch was already scheduled. All members were too tired so they decided to have leisure time on the beachside instead of Boat cruise. So we moved to Alleppey beach which was 5 km from our hotel location. In the late evening, we came back to the hotel. The first-time staff did not like the food of this hotel as much as before. Well apart from this we convinced them that this was the last night again we will move into our Cochin hotel. Time passes. We slept in our room.
The next day after breakfast, we were ready to ride on the boat cruise on Alleppey backwater. Students & teachers liked this very much. They took lots of photos. After this, we drove to Cochin which was 2 hours away. On arrival, the group had a delicious lunch. We instructed students to report for early because on this day Students were so much excited about shopping at India’s Biggest Shopping Mall named “Lu Lu”. It seems that female faculties were so much happy about shopping that was the best moment of their trip. Finally came back safely to the hotel.
The next day we put packed breakfast on our buses because our flight time was 8:50 AM. We reached the airport before 1:30Hrs. from the departure time. We landed safely at Delhi Airport. After that we had lunch at the hotel & moved on towards to Dehradun school campus.
Teachers gave us a very positive appreciation of feedback and ensured me to do work in the future. They all were very happy. I will miss them all. This trip taught me every time every moment more as in my working experience.