Ubiquitous Coconut Trees: Kerala Landscape

Whether it is the courtyard, the road or the sea beach, one finds lots of coconut trees in Kerala. The large number of these trees give a distinctive flavour to the Kerala landscape.

Coconut makes immense contribution to the economy in the form of coconut oil, green coconuts, coconut coirs for mattresses and mats etc. Coconut also is the sacred fruit which is offered to gods.

Kochi- A Sense of Belonging

Clock Tower at Tripunithura by Poornathrayeesa Temple.

When you do not know any one in a particular place, you know every one there. We landed at Kochi which has a small air port built anew in the traditional architecture of Kerala. The taxi driver from the airport was very honest and when we got out, I requested him as to how much it would cost to have the cab for a day. With good humour he replied that a full day was not required to see Kochi.

A small and sleepy town, Kochi is very friendly. It has a beautiful sea face and the churches, temples and the Synagogue have an atmosphere of their own. We were not fortunate to go inside the Synagogue as it was closed.

The food was superb in the restaurants. I found the Saree Shopping Plazas most attractive. In different floors, many types of sarees are displayed by a large number of staff. Some of the employees would move around with glasses of water for the customers.

The markets have their own fragrance and flavour. You could see large cauldrons heated with oil, with shimmering golden banana chips. It were, as if I had known Kochi all my life and belonged to it.

The Coconut Trees of Kerala

Kerala is deeply associated with the Coconut Tree. The oil of coconut is widely used, especially in frying banana chips. The Coir industry took off from Kerala. At every street corner one would find green coconut vendors.

In the cuisine also coconut milk is used frequently. The two images above look like picture post cards of Kerala Tourism.