There must be something about Kerala that draws millions of tourists every year. I cannot explain logically why I booked myself into a resort this winter to de-stress before I began a new term. “Cherai Beach?” My boss asked. “Why?” I couldn’t answer the question straightaway. He said, “Hmm! Let me think. Why Kerala?…” I shrugged. “Don’t know. Just found it on the Club Mahindra website and booked. And I am going. Come hell or high water.” “Have fun!” He said.

I do know however, why I chose Kerala and Cherai over Goa and other beach resorts one longs for in the north of India. There is something soothing about the thought of quiet, contemplative rides in a boat through the backwaters – it’s not exotically beautiful … could even be a bit boring … but the monotony can be lazy and contemplative. And then … the healing massages one hears of all the time …oils of divine curative nature dripping warmly on the head… mmm … the healthiest of breakfasts in the world … idlis and podi and tomato chutney… all great objective co-relative signals to the brain for healing! So that is where I went!

I woke up on Day 1 raring to go like I usually do … it is 6:00 am … I have to wake up – said my inner alarm, dress decently … swallow my thyroxin and off we go – Mowgli, Raffiki and Zazu for a walk! Usual routine! Only this time – there were no dogs – however I upped – dressed and walked Cherai Beach. Watched dolphin swim lazily in the sea and the sun rise over the horizon! Ohhh this is good I thought! Strode back – ate a healthy idli breakfast. Strolled to my room and slept! Woke up at 12 pm! Went to lunch. Returned at 1:00 pm and slept. Woke up at 6:00 pm …. now very guilty. Dressed to walk the beach … walked down it very rigorously … returned to my room … curled up in bed … ordered dinner … watched Doc Martin on Netflix and slept.

Day 2. Woke up at 9:30 am! No guilt. No bells or alarms! Smiled. Made myself a cuppa tea. Pulled on a t-shirt … strolled in for breakfast … ate idlis and stared at the backwaters drinking coffee for an hour!

The magic of Kerala was happening!

Quite apart from the tranquility, the Malayali is warm and friendly! Smiles and waves from complete strangers – is not what we are used to in the north. Or the special privilege of “ladies queues!” ( I liked that very much!)

One of my happy encounters was with the swimming coach! Very chatty, restless little man who waved and smiled energetically every time I walked past him and offered me chekoos. “No swimming?” He asked. “No costume!” I replied. “Ohh! I give you! Come, come! Come with me.” I followed him curiously to the shower room behind the pool. From a dusty old locker he enthusiastically pulled out a pair of black football shorts and shirt! I looked at it with some trepidation and thought, What the hell! Who cares what I look like? There was no way I could disappoint his enthusiasm, anyway! The next two days I spent time either on the beach or in the pool in my black football shorts and it was joyous!

Well! That was a first! As were many other experiences in Kochi. My first visit to a synagogue, a first travel in a taxi on a ferry, a first time experience of looking at exquisite lace in a shop in India… my first, impulsive holiday on my own.

Kochi is a charming city. Now, a rather dusty version of colonial India. With one of the most beautiful airports in the world – the only one that is run solely on solar energy. Quite apart from its curious mix of cultures – Portuguese, Dutch, Malayali, Arab and Jew!

I left on the 5th day of my holiday much refreshed! The taxi driver who was dropping me off to Kochi airport ( in the darkness of a winter morning) asked politely where I was from. Dehradun, I said. “Oh!” He said, sounding very surprised. “I thought you were alien!” “And how many dirham you paid for your ticket to Dehradun?”