I am lucky enough to have traveled quite a fair bit already. From trekking, camping and rafting to photo walks in Mumbai streets, I have had my phases during my tenure in Mumbai life. My travel experiences are connected with culture and nature and when am coming back with those wonderful memories, I feel the stuff I missed out in everyday life.
There are a lot of beautiful places in Kerala State to make any traveler satisfied. For me, Kerala is a less explored place. We have a tendency to leave nearby places for a 'later' time because it will always be there.
How about spending a day, relaxing on hammocks between shady coconut trees, pedal-boating, meals with fish curry and fish fry, all for Rs.200/- only. Yes, you can visit The Aqua Tourism by Matsyafed, Palaikari - just 23 kms from Kochi. This is a 125 hectare wide brackish water fish farm with 4 culture ponds and 3 nurseries on one side and Vembanad Lake on the other side.
It is an easy half an hour drive from Kochi. You can either come for a conducted tour and stay for lunch, or make a weekend of it.
After taking entry ticket you can walk along the bund through a well laid pathway leading to the aqua tourism centre. There were two view points, from where you can enjoy the beauty of Vembanad Lake. Those who do not want to walk can take a paid speed boat to the centre .
It was an amazing sight to see Vembanad lake, fish farms, coconut trees and water birds.
You can enjoy the stunning atmosphere on both sides. I kept clicking away my camera while walking. One can even relax in the huts built along the bund.
Soon I reached the main building area where you can spend your full day picnic. The building has a resting place for visitors, kitchen and a dining room. It is a unique experience to spend a whole day amidst the coconut trees on the bunds.
You will pass through small canals which diverts water from the farm to the Vembanad lake. The centre helps you in hiring a houseboat to cruise around the islands on Vembanad Lake at extra cost.
ACTIVITIES
If you want to enjoy fishing, the centre offers fishing rods and bait at a nominal amount of Rs.10/-. Fish so caught by the guests are sold to them if they wish.
There is a small park with a couple of swings and a merry-go-round, which will keep the children engaged.
You can relax on hammocks and seats and enjoy the cool breeze from the Vembanad Lake. Those who want to try Boat Riding have the option of tugboats and pedal boats.
THE EXOTIC LUNCH WITH FISH CURRY:
I had built an appetite for lunch after exploring the farm for more than 2 hours. They served lunch as part of the package, which included rice, fish curry and fish fry, vegetable gravy, aviyal, thoran and fish pickle. If you want to taste special fish dishes, you can order with extra cost.
Travel is not just about visiting places and clicking photographs, but travel is also about experiencing.
A day well spent!
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