Coconut Lagoon
is our attempt to capture the essence of the Kerala experience and then
offer it in a unique setting. Nothing has been added that does not already
belong. And if the comforts of life enter (as they must), they do so in a
way that leaves the harmony around them undisturbed.
Before you
is the great Vembanad lake, rippling under the vault of an impossibly large
sky. Sunlight sparkles on her waters, tearing the reflection of a passing
houseboat into crystal shards. Darter birds go about their fishy business.
Your nostrils fill with scent- laden ozone.
To a timber and tile
mansion that seems to belong to this earth, but to another time.
If you
left the comfort of your hammock for a closer look, you'd see that it is an
authentic reconstruction.
Some of its timbers are 200 years old. They
were moved here piece by piece, a legacy of the tharavads of old Kerala.
The Liquid Highway
The resort is reachable only over the water. It nestles along one shore of
the Vembanad lake, a 175 square km. expanse stretching between the
backwaters of Kerala and the sea. Perhaps, if you are lucky, you'll arrive
at dusk. When reds and golds and purples colour the sleepy waters and the
only sounds are of gently lapping waves, mingled with your own rising
breath. Lazily, the red roofs of Coconut Lagoon emerge from the palm shadows
and, going a little way up a river mouth, you make a sharp turn that brings
you right into our reception.
Accommodations and Enchantments
The reception area too, like the homes we mentioned earlier, is a living
piece of Kerala history. It dates from 1860, the four-cornered open
courtyard design an echo of times past. The entire mansion was painstakingly
transplanted from the nearby village of Vaikom in 1993. Relax on the wooden
swing before you check in, or wander about, sipping on a fresh coconut and
soaking in the atmosphere.
You can choose from three kinds of
accommodation at Coconut lagoon. The Heritage Bungalows are compact
independent cottages, set in lush lawns along the canals.
The
Heritage Mansions are larger, with an upper story defined by distinctive
wooden ribs that resemble the sides of a boat. Most of these afford fine
views of the lake.
Beyond, on their own quiet section of lake
front, are the Pool Villas. Peace and privacy combine here, with private
pools, distinctive interiors and even your own little hammock, tied up
front.
Take a closer look at any of the accommodations, and
you'll see the minute architectural details that make each of them
distinctive. A trellis pattern here, a row of tiny brass knobs there, a
rampant diety on a 200 year old columnno two houses are exactly the same.
Of course, these old-world touches betray little of the conveniences
that are found within. Air-conditioning, telephones, hot and cold waterall
the comforts of a modern resort are yours to relish.
The
bathrooms are open-roofed, echoing the outdoor facilities of traditional
Kerala, but of course, incorporating every mod con. So you can shower under
the sheltering sky, yet in complete privacy.
The
Ever Expanding Moment A true experience is something that
must include the body, the mind and the spirit.
At Coconut Lagoon,
leisure involves all three.
If you're the active type, you can take a
canoe out into the backwaters and explore this fascinating world just like
the locals do.
Or
go fishing with one of the simple bamboo poles the staff usually have.
You can even take a crack at water skiing. Of course, its nice to know that
expert ayurvedic masseurs on hand to bring all aching muscles back into
shape!
Else, you could get a book from the library, only to let
it slip from your hands as the languid afternoon settles on your eyelids.
Later in the day, don't miss the sunset cruise, in our own
restored 'kettuvallom'. These traditional bargeboats of the backwaters have
now been given a new life and luxury. So, adrift to the accompaniment of a
flute, you can watch the sun descend into the shadows of the great Vembanad.
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