A getaway at Kayal

The chaos and restrictions of a pandemic-ridden world has taken its toll on all of us. Craving for some quiet and a break from the monotony of a masked existence, I recently landed up at this beautiful little island, just half an hour from home. I had come across this boutique property Kayal by chance amidst all the noise that usually is on Instagram. The website and their lovely owner/host Maneesha made it sound just as appealing as it absolutely is. I spent a perfect day out there, in a setting that I hold close to my heart and doing the things I love. (Sadly though, I failed to convince the kind staff there that I really am having a wonderful time, even though I was there all alone. That it was kind of the point of travelling solo. )

Staying true to Malayali simplicity, the decor at Kayal is understated, sustainable and inviting. An old world charm seeps out of the woven cane and wooden furniture, the vintage doors and windows, and these rustic framed mirrors. You arrive at this quaint little haven on a 'vallom' (the traditional rowboat, motorized for convenience) and it overlooks the serene lake and the lush green horizon beyond. You are also treated to a non-motorized version of the vallom ride around the lake at sunset. It was only too easy to forget that there was a world riddled with problems beyond this cocoon of green-blue waters and the lushness around it.

I had been revisiting 'The God of Small Things' over the last month (and it was coincidentally one of the recommendations in the reading list Maneesha had shared). I woke up enveloped in a 'mossgreen' and 'dustgreen' and 'immodestly green' world the next day, just like Roy describes the monsoons in Ayemanam.

With the pattering and drip-dropping and tapping forming a lyrical backdrop. It was hard to pull away from all that and head back home. 'Kayal' delivered on all that was promised and more. I would recommend it to anyone longing to reconnect with nature in all its splendor; and I myself can't wait to go back .