Jab we met; it was time for losing and finding one another and hugging each other like the five star ad. Indeed; we have been lost for nearly twenty years, and have met again! A Surprise quite unplanned! When God has a better plan for everything, then why should we plan?
Geet and her Mom reached Cochin on the 7th of Sept. at around 7 pm. I reached little late due to trafic on my way from office to airport due to block (as always) especially near the Aluva bridge. Then kept looking for them at the domestic terminal, but ha, they were looking for me at the international terminal. Her mother was worried, if we would have changed a lot, and it would be difficult to identify one another!
On 8th it was temple darshan, quite an experience for me too. The long queue at Guruvayoor, and not letting in even the purse; to keep it out; I had to move out of the queue, and we got lost; for by the time I returned; they had entered inside. Then went to Chitta's house and Usha Ammai's house in Thrissur, and under the instructions from Chittapan and Guidence of Suji; visited VAdakunnatha (Lord of North) Siva temple. The feeling there was divine, so was the ambiance. From there we went to Bhuvaneswari temple (Neeranjali hall) and then to Parmekavu(Temple on rock). The world, even if you hold on to it, will slip and God, even if you want to leave him, will not abandon you. We are all instruments in the hands of God.
On 9th woke up to Achan's, welcoming Mahabali; and hey it was a Happy Onam with family, friends and relatives. After Onam Sadhya we went to Athripilli and Vazhachal. Thara had a little feaver, but Ammuma was full of joy with two great-grand-children around. We came to Surabhi Nagar Kakkand, to continue with out journey.
On 10th we left to Trivandrum; thanks to Sandeep; a very good Hotel was arranged by KTDC very near to the railway station; Chaitram. Nirmal and Sneha where at Hotel Arya Nivas. Under the guidence of Ram; we visited Padmanabaswami Shetram. Ladies are not allowed to enter inside with churidars; and we had not planned to alternative; but God had arranged. Also after darshan, I could not find my purse; just after thinking if I should buy a book or not as it was very costly. Lodged complaint with police and Thankfully got back the purse though some cash was missing, PAN card; ATM card's etc. where there in it.
On 11th we had been to Neeyar dam, Lion sanctury; Kovalam beach.
On 12th morning, we left to Kanyakumari in JayanthiJanata. Ah! finally a dream come true to visit Kanyakumari, lying on the southernmost point of peninsular India, is the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. We got a lovely lodge there called Hotel Samudra, and from our room, the scene was enchanting. One side facing the Swami Vivakananda Rock Memorial/Thiruvalluvar statue. and the other, the pond/Kanyakumari temple. Having heard that the queue to get on to the Vivakananda rock is very tiring, we left for the ferry service operated between the shore jetty to rock memorial. To our great blessings, we got the ticket quickly and the weather was also favourable. It was windy, and while returning there was a very slight shower, as though God was pouring his blessings on us. There we could see Sabha Mandapam, Devi Kanyakumari Sri Padam, Sri Pada Mandapam, Swami Vivekananda statue. Entry was not allowed to the Thiruvalluvar Statue which was 133 feet high(95 feet tall on the pedestal of 38 feet height). The place is also a paradise for shoppers. You get variety of shell and handicraft items. Geet was completely tired and had feaver by then. Her mom and myself in the evening went to Sri Kumari Amman Temple. The Kanyakumari beach with multi-colored sand and rocky shoreline is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches. The waves that hit the shore are quite strong and frequent. It makes stepping into the shallow water and having seabath difficult. The shore is rocky too. so people are asked to stay within the prescribed zone. There is a lighthouse on the beach from where one can get a ravishing view of the sea. Then there was the Gandhi Mantap; Kamaraj Memorial. The Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling Central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, the first ays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. On the way there is a staute of Barath Mata too.
On 13th Geet celebrated her B'day; with a spectacular view of the sunrise from our room and we cut her B'day cake. As she was unwell, she stayed in the room, while myself and her mother, went around the peninula once again, to bid good bye; and praying that we get a chance to be there again; craving in our heart's the beauty of Kanyakumari by night and by day. The rest of the 13th was in the train; being our return to Ekm. and I forgot my waterbottle: the loved connecticut one in the train.
On 14th there was no water in our room, and therefore went to Cintias house to answer nature's call; refresh ourselves. My meeting with doctor had to wait. Instead it was the Arabian Sea calling us, after spending enought time with the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. As suggested by Sandeep, we took the KTDC boating, walked through the Marine drive of Kochi, through the rainbow without colour, and fishing net that cannot catch fishes; viewing Lake Vembanad. Landed at Old Kochi, Mattancheri and Fort Kochi. Mattancheri, still have few Jews, most of them being migrated to the Jewish state of Israel, due to religious sentiment, lack of marriage partners and better employment opportunity. They like to follow their sabbath on saturday. We visited a palace and the Synagogue. From there we went to Fort Kochi, famous for the Chinese fishing nets, and the fishes; visited the CSI church where Vasco Da Gama was buried and his grand son came and took the remains after 14 years. Just opposite to the fishing nets of Fort Kochi are the fishing nets of Vipin; and these two land's are like the mouth to the Arabian sea.
We did some shopping at the broadway and returned.
On 15th we went to Thara's house in Vazhakala, and then returned had some rest, and then to Thrikakara temple and Oberon mall.
On 16th it was the beauty of Veegaland now Wonderla, where nature, art and technology merge, with a spectacular view from the sky wheel, the kutusan kotta, musical fountain, cinemax, fishes and the lovely rides.
On 17th it was time for them to say good bye and for me to return to chalakudy. As all good things come to an end, this too did. We went to Thara's house before living and uploaded the pics. for memory, ho ya, memory is the dairy we all carry about with us.
And then again we are lost in our lives, hoping to meet again somewhere sometime....
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