A smiling face in a shaking head over the green palm trees background.
That’s the first thought I have every time I think about Kerala.
The land which has totally changed my way of experiencing India.
I had the great opportunity to explore the region of Kerala with the Kerala Blog Express 5th edition and within this trip, I gathered some of the best memories in travel I have made until today during this trip.
This was not my first time in India, it was actually the third, and the second time in the same year I was going back for more. For more experiences, for more beauty, more delicious food, and the most, more smiles!
This article is published in partnership with the Kerala Tourism board to share with you their latest campaign, Human by Nature, and as I’m writing these words, I have a big smile on my face as I remember my time exploring Kerala and thinking about its people.
Kerala’s cultural diversity
Kerala is a diverse land in many aspects, and as a traveler is a delight to be able to see how alive its culture is.
Everywhere you go you see people living under their traditions, women wearing the white and golden Sarees, men wearing their Doti, and several religious celebrations being part at different times of the year; Kerala is the land where Hindus, Muslim, and Christian live together and in peace.
The first time you see the Theyyam or the Muttappan is impressive, and if you have the chance to attend a demonstration of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala, you will respect even more the culture and traditions developed in this area hundreds of years ago.
I was very surprised to know that more than 93% of the population in Kerala are literate, and they speak Malayalam, a language derived from Tamil that is 1100 years old or older.
Kerala is the land where Ayurveda was born, and you can spend several days to heal your body and reconnect doing an ayurvedic treatment retreat, or you can just indulge having a Shirodhara oil ayurvedic massage in the evening after touring the region.
Kerala and its natural beauty
When most people think about India the first images coming to their minds are about the Taj Mahal, sarees, and spicy food.
During my previous trips, this was part of the image I’ve had about India, as I was mostly traveling in the Northern areas.
The first hour in Kerala was mind-blowing! The scenario was of a very green road while driving out of Thiruvananthapuram airport, this was already very different from the other areas of India I’ve previously traveled.
Kerala’s nature is diverse, and you can be at the beach enjoying the sun and palm trees in the morning and later in the day walking through the tea plantations in Munnar.
One of the most touching experiences in Kerala was sleeping in a boat driving through the backwaters, where I could watch the most beautiful sunset and hear the birds while seeing all the life happening in and near the river.
This and so much more is what nature is in Kerala and I’m sure it will bring the best memories to your own trip!
People in Kerala
During my travels, I have encountered few places on Earth where I feel so welcomed as in Kerala.
Because India, in general, is a country where one of the key ingredients for the perfect memory formula is the interactions with its people.
Indians are one of the friendliest people with foreigners and travelers and it can be even a bit overwhelming the level of kindness they are able to have with someone new. I can’t tell how many selfies I have with people I talked to during my daily tours!
But especially in Kerala, people smile at you openly and with so much kindness in their eyes, that is hard to forget them.
I can only feel a great warm feeling in my heart every time I think about the dances, the laughs and the unique conversations I had with total strangers.
Kerala’s people are used to supporting each other and here, responsible tourism takes an important part in regional development. Communities are working together to preserve their culture and traditions and share them with visitors in homestays and real-life experiences tours.
I regret not spending more time in Kerala and staying in a local home for few days to be able to experience closely their way of living, exchanging stories and even perhaps learning to prepare a deliciously spicy curry!
People in Kerala are proud of who they are, and they don’t doubt in sharing everything with someone else. They love to show you their culture and make you feel part of them even if it’s just for a short time.
A trip to Kerala it’s so unique thanks to its people.
Conclusion
Kerala is green, wild and with so much natural beauty I had the feeling I could explore this area for a longer time.
Traveling in Kerala was revitalizing to me. It reminded me how important it is to keep the connection with your roots, embrace them and exalt them as they are part of who you are.
The land of kind people with big smiling eyes, the land who put tears in my eyes while saying goodbye to a land that has connected me with so much happiness, and remind me we are all the same kind of spices, we are all Humans.
I wish you can explore this region and see with your own eyes, God’s own country and its people.
Love this article, This is so amazing blog post. This place is so nice and such a human nature beauty of Kerala. That’s sounds is so great. Thanks for sharing your information.