Enchanting Kerala

Impressions - Dominique Soquel

"I’m just getting acquainted with this land, but within this short time this place has really captivated my heart," says Dominique Soguel from Switzerland. She was here on a freelance assignment for a Swizz based travel agency. "Kerala is rich in its culture, nature and history. People come here very much in want of that". I had a brief stint at Fort Kochi and I was amazed by the diversity this place has. It’s a place where all the three elements that I mentioned earlier blend in perfect harmony. The influence of history on the culture of this place is very much vivid. 

For someone from the land of mountains, Kerala was quite fascinating with its diverse geographical features. "We live in and near the mountains. The Alps has overshadowed our entire topography. But here it’s very different, just travel 100 miles and you will reach a beach, travel another 100 and you will be at a hill station, or backwater or island or whatever. The tranquility and comfort these destinations offer truly make Kerala the God’s Own Country," observes Dominique Soguel. 

"Everything has a unique charm in Kerala. Be it the art, architecture, music or festivals; things are different here from the rest of the world. The architecture of Kerala is truly amazing, especially the traditional houses. Even the architecture of a houseboat is very interesting for that matter. In fact the very concept of houseboat is pretty amazing for me. The experience it offers is unmatched, even for a cruise ship."

People are generally kind and friendly. Of course Kerala is known for its hospitality. And the tourism industry here has developed so much in recent times. The State has good hotels and resort network, which provide best of facilities affordable to all kinds of travellers. Above all, compared to many other tourist destinations in the world Kerala is safer for women. And it is always good to feel safe, says Soguel with a smile on her face.