Of magical settings and wishes .... 

I have fallen in love with Varkala. Been there about 4 times already this year and going again in a few days and still cant get enough .... 

But the best for me so far was this day. Walking down the cliff to the beach we saw this man praying. I stood mesmerized fervently hoping that everything he was praying for was answered and somehow knowing it would be. The moment was so surreal and so magical and yet right there in front of me ... 

The light, the sun, the sand, the sound of the waves and water .... it was the perfect. 

I have always known but now I am convinced that it truly is Gods Own Country ..... 

Quintessential Kovalam.....

This image, the Light house on the hill is what Kovalam is for me....When ever I think of Kovalam, this is the picture that comes to mind, the coconut palms framing the light house and the little hillock reaching out to the blue blue sea.
Kovalam with its green, abundant palms, beautiful stretches of beaches, perfect rocky hillocks and steep climb down is one of my favourite beach destinations. Somehow though, I have never gone in for a dip. Just always walked along the waters edge and maximum ventured in knee deep.
This year when we made our annual pilgrimage to this famed beach we didnt get to see a spectacular sunset. But the water did turn golden in the setting sun and the amazing beauty of the beach awed us as always.....
Leena

Work is worship....

That is the first thought that comes to mind when I see this image. The light, the setting and the expression on the fishermans face - all hold a very sacred quality for me.
The depths of the Ashtamudi Lake are rich in mussels and the local fishermen row out in their little wooden boats (vanjis) and dive to the bottom to collect them. The mussels are a local delicacy and fetch a mighty price according to our boatsman.
A boat full of mussels, this fisherman is either winding up for the day or rowing to a different spot.....
Leena

God's very own....

A very busy 8 days in Kerala this time and we tried to fit in as many photo oppurtunities as possible in between catching up with friends and meeting relatives and talking endlessly with my mom (thats only me and not Sai!). We were really kicked about going to Kovalam Beach to see the sunset and as luck would have it, we got to see only clouds and a 5 minute appearance by the Sun just before he sank into the sea.
But lady luck was not mean! We went for an overnight trip to a quaint resort on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake and witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets ever! The coconut trees, the houseboat, the backwaters, the sprinkling of clouds in the sky all added to the magic.....now I know why Kerala is God's own!
Leena

Gondolas of the east....

Kumarakom in Kerala in known as the venice of the east and it rightly lives up to its name. The backwaters are gorgeous and the lake beautiful! The region also attracts a lot of migratory birds. We walked through the sanctuary early in the morning....did not get to see too many birds but the boats that the locals use for transport, vallams, were still anchored to stone piers....
Leena