Gods own..

My wife says that I am a walking advertisement for Kerala.

I say Why not.? It is still one of those places where quaint little plants go to sleep every night, during the day living together as part of joint families, where sleepy railway stations dot the countryside every five kilometres, the rails between them forming a steel necklace for the state. I feel that Kerala is like one of those old gramophone records, which require some winding now & then, plays its tune & stops without a repeat button. It gets to you. At times its green driving you crazy. At times its people.

The best way to see kerala is on its many trains. While it is raining. Sitting on the steps of the train. Looking out through the door. Getting drenched.

I feel everyone should have a favourite tree in the world. If you havent found yours yet, then Kerala is the place to start looking.

My favourite tree is by the backwaters on the Kollam-Trivandrum rail route. Just before the bridge from where you can see the sea & the backwater separated by a narrow road. For many years I thought about how it would be like feel like travelling on that road. When I did, I felt like I had lost a dream. That is the thing with dreams, I suppose.

My pick of the Best train journeys in Kerala
5. Quilon-Trivandrum on the Madurai Passenger for the many shades of sunsets
4. Entering Kerala on a monsoon morning from TN on the Madras Mail
3. Metre Gauge Train from Quilon - Shengottai
2. The coastal rail line along the Bekal fort in Kasargode
1. Crossing the river Nila on the never ending bridge near Ottapalam