Beach Camping and Kayaking at Dharmadam,Kerala

After waiting for  long, the time finally came for a kayaking trip to Dharmadam. Dharmadam is a small town  in Thalassery of Kannur district, in the Indian State of Kerala. Going to Dharmadam is easy by train and bus. One fine Saturday morning, I boarded Island Express from Ernakulam. It was fortunate that I reached the station much early to take ticket. Since it was a long weekend due to Vishu festival, there was an unbelievable rush at the ticket counter.  

Reached Thalassery at around 1 pm. My friend already informed about Hotel Paris for lunch. The summer was hot. I walked about 1.7 kms and was very pleased to find  the hotel, bustling with helpful-looking staff. Had a fabulous Non Veg lunch

Then took bus and got down at bridge stop. Took an auto to our camp which was near to the Dharmodam beach park.  It was around 2:00 PM, when I reached the camp site. It had five separate tents beautifully arranged and could accomodate 5 persons each in a tent.  The tent  there was a pleasant surprise - I guess you could call  it a junior luxury room.

It was such a beautiful location facing the sea. I strolled around on the beach absorbing the surroundings. I could see couples stroll through the beach holding hands and giving each other hugs and kisses.

A different attraction on every corner- from beautifuly arranged tents,  hammock under palms etc. Resting in hammock with sweet soud of waves, the view of the beach and cool breeze under the shade of palms make it a perfect relaxing place.

Our first activity in our chart was kayaking around Dharmodom Island. Dharmadam Island is located 100 meters away from the main land of Dharmadam. It is surrounded by the Anjarakandy river on three sides and the Arabian sea on the fourth side.

It was my first time so I was a bit excited as well as scared. We were given few minutes lesson by the guide. After a little bit of practice, my hands had become used to the grip of the paddle and the strokes had begun to come naturally.  

Since it was my first time, we shared a double-seat kayak. I sat in the back seat. Person sitting in the back seat have the control of the Kayak. We had moved against the tides. We took a round through  the Dharmadam Island and witnessed the beautiful view of the sunset.

We  reached back after sunset. After a long kayaking trip, our first priority was tea and snacks.

After dinner we walked through the beach. There were some surprise activities.  Vishu festival was coming after one day. We celeberated Vishu in the beach with fire crackers.

Day 2

Nothing can beat a morning  walk through the beach with an amazing sunrise. Few minutes after my casual walk began, I arrived near to the Dharmadom Island, where rocks projected in different structure. That was an ultimate morning stroll - the sun coming near you,  the alternate sound of quite then crashing waves, a good ocean smell.  A moment later, while standing around rocky beach, a strong smell of kelp and seaweed completed the sea side aromas.

I saw locals catching fishes. I stopped sometime , inhaling the smell of dead fish. Few steps further, the sight of a cemetery which was constructed for film shooting,caught my attention. After a leisurely breakfast,  we had a kayaking trip to explore the forest of mangroves around Anjarakandy river.

After 2 hrs of joy ride , we reached back to the camp around 10 am. It was low tide. We walked to Dharmadam Island through sea. We sat there for some time. You can spot corals everywhere.

It was around 1 pm. when we were back to the camp site. After having a yummy lunch we packed. Then on to Thalassery, then back to Kochi with a promise to come back again.

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A Day with Artisans at Sargalaya Arts and Craft Village

This time my travel is to Sargalaya Arts and Craft Village in Iringal which is near to the coastal town of Vadakara. I reached Kozhikode late night for next day's program and took rest in a Hotel. Next morning,  after having breakfast, boarded  a private bus from Kozhikode new bus stand at around 8.30 am. I stared out of the window and tried to make sense of the cityscape. 

Reached Oil Mill stop, Iringal at around 9.30 am. I was informed to wait at the bus stop. I walked around the place to find a tea shop and found Richus Thattukada and had a tea. When all members in the group arrived, we took  an auto and headed to Sargalaya craft village. We, a gang of 20, were anxious to meet the people who have devoted their lives to art or are living a life of art.

The session started at around 11.15 am. We sat on the benches facing Parakulam. Mr. Rajesh Sir and Mr.Sivadas Sir briefed us about the craft village. 

Spread across 20 acres of land, Sargalaya Craft village is developed and managing by  Ooralangal  labour coorperative society.  Started in 2011, it is the first craft village and it gives importance to both  tourism and craft. It has already invested 27 crores in two phases and attracts more than 4 lac visitors per year. It consists of 27 huts for craft making and has one craft training acadamy.  Around 100 craftsmen are associated with this place.

We started from the hut where clay models by  Mr.A.K.Arun were displayed. The models  that he made were simply beautiful. If you want to see the craftmen at work, this is a great place to visit.

Then we visited huts for  bamboo products, flowers made up of natural products etc. Another hut showcases Kayar products, then a Naithu shala which produces 3 meter cloth  a day. We were simply mesmerised seeing these works. 

Naithu Sala

The Craft village is really beautiful. Every year, Sargalaya  hosts 19 days handicraft exhibition. There is one aqua section also. We had lunch from the canteen in the village.

It has one lake  and is known as parakulam and has boating facility. Boating was interesting and 4 persons can use pedal boats at a time.

Then we headed to Kunjalimarakkar  Museum which is around  2km from the craft village. Our guide explained about the history of Museum.

The Kunjali Marakkar Museum is the old house of Kunjali Marakkar,  the naval chief of the Zamorin of Calicut. Marakkar was the honored title bestowed upon the family of valorous fighters, who were the admirals of the Zamorin's fleet. Kunjali Marakkar fought valiantly against the Portuguese army and the Portuguese were able to capture him only through treachery. After his defeat, he was imprisoned and later, beheaded in Goa.

Some of the prominent displays include the sword used by Kunjali Marakkar, cannon balls and some other war relics belonging to the period of the Zamorins.

It was already 5 PM  and we decided to bid goodbye till we meet in another place. 

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