Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam, Kerala

Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam, Alleppey, Kerala

The venue of the annual Kerala reunion of the Old Boys of our school is the Marari Beach Resort in the pretty Mararikulam area in Alleppey district, Kerala. The drive from Kochi airport is long, over 3 hours, punctuated by a food stop and heavy traffic jams in the Edapally area. The welcome is warm, and the high ceiling makes the reception area quite comfortable.   

The unpolluted air by the sea side along with the thick vegetation adds to the comfortable atmosphere. The afternoon does not feel like it is actually over 30 C.  

The rooms in the resort are exceptionally well appointed.   

The toilet is open to sky, terrific for the Summer, however, it gets a bit wet during the Monsoons, I was told.  

A fan is strategically placed overhead, as can be seen in the photograph.  

The grounds of the resort are well tended to by ever smiling staff. They never fail to greet guests as they go about their daily cleaning tasks.  

Late afternoon is tea time, served in the traditional way on the lush lawns. The boys are glad to see each other, after all. 

Marari Beach adjoining the Resort is fairly quiet in May, being  the monsoon season. The seas are rather rough, while the clouds appear to lie heavy and low on top of the water.  

The sand stretches away several kilometres in either direction, very few visitors are visible.  

Fishermen have tied up their boats to the trees since it is the season of rest for the boats and for fishing. The 'no-fishing' period allows the fish to spawn, allowing for a rich harvest when fishing resumes during the month of August. 

The venue for the Annual General Body Meeting of the Kerala Chapter is all set up, ready to welcome the visitors.  

There is ample room for a band of musicians. Our thanks to the three musicians who helped make it a memorable evening.  

The grounds are clean, and brightly lit in the early morning sunlight.  

The Beach Hut is a perfect setting for refreshments, stories and continuing laughs.   

Some of us are drawn into games of Beach Volleyball, as lunch time draws near, yet another lavish affair of local and international cuisine.  

It's been a grand reunion in the top class Marari Beach Resort set amidst the sea on one side and the pretty backwaters not too far away. 

On the way out, we stop by the home of one of the Old Boys. Ayanat House is a grand, ancestral property, exceptionally well maintained as a home stay.  

Set on several acres of greenery overlooking the serene backwaters.

Finally, it is time to say good bye and head back to Kochi airport about 100km away.

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