A journey through Munroe Thuruth (Munroe Island), Kerala

One fine Sunday, before the crack of dawn, I boarded my train from Ernakulam Station  to Munroe. Reached Munroe at around 8 am. Only few trains especially passenger trains and Memu trains have stop in this station. Since our meeting point was at the station premises at around 9 am, I waited there for an hour. There were less people around the station. Having nothing to do, I strolled around the station for sometime and met one of my co-travellers in a coffee shop.

A little about Munroe. Munroe Thuruth is a cluster of eight islands, interconnected by narrow canals , located in the middle of the Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river. The island community is named after Colonel John Monroe, a British officer who took the initiative to construct canals in the region and link the backwaters.

We then took an auto and moved to a homestay where our boat was parked.  I sat on a chair near to the river side. The water was crystal clear, the air was chill and crisp.  There was a Shikara boat parked near  me.

I was silently enjoying the beauty of the scenery.  A picturesque river, sheltered by trees that dipped their boughs into the murmuring waters and a boat resting on the water. An absolute treat for the eyes.

The best way to reach Munrou islands is by riding a boat. Soon we started our ride  in three groups. There are a few roads and bridges connecting some villages but most of Munroe is still navigable only by boat. The views on the sides are houses, fish farms etc.

Row and small boats, prey ducklings and rare species of birds are common here. As we moved ahead, we came across a series of canals connected by small bridges where sometimes we had to bend our head  at some places as the boat passed under these bridges.

Fisheries are an important source of income for the people. You will find many Karimeen (Pearl spot fish) kettu throughout the journey. Small roads in the middle of the lake is a common sight in the island. All around, you can see coconut palms.

A little way off where the canals end, the boat soon enters the Ashtamudi Lake. In the middle of the lake is a mangrove forest which is shaped naturally. Such tremendously beautiful formation of nature is something to cherish. All we could do is relax, look, and breathe in the perfumed air. We photographed by stopping our boat  at the centre of that structure, which I had only seen in social media till date. We spent a  long time in that beautiful spot.

We returned our ride from this point. It was already  2 pm. when we finished our boating. Our lunch was ready, which was served in plantain leaf. Everything served was hot and fresh and I really enjoyed fish recipes.

Soon we bid goodbye to each other and started our return journey. We took an auto till ferry to catch Jankar. A ferry to the island is normally crowded.  After crossing the river, we got our bus to Kollam.

It is sad to hear that these eight islands are sinking everyday because of the effects of climate change. It is believed that the island would be entirely submerged by the year 2050.

It was a great weekend travel by enjoying village life, food and boating through canals and lake.