I am just back after spending a wonderful three days with my friends in Fort Kochi. Apart from the good times we had what stays, and will in my heart, is the timeless beauty of the trees I saw.

There were all kind of trees, but those that stood out by their sheer magnificence were the huge spreading rain trees (I have already written about rain trees some time back) and the equally impressive banyans. Oh, the stories they could tell!

On both the mornings we were at Fort Kochi, my friend who is as fond of walks as me, and I, went for long morning walks. The sights were a delight. The place itself has a totally different vibe from the rest of Kerala. The Dutch and Portuguese influence is in evidence everywhere. In fact I had to remind myself that we were still in Kerala and that people here spoke Malayalam same as me.

Our walk took us through shady tree-lined avenues. I was glad to notice that new ones had been planted where perhaps old ones had once stood. But these new ones were the golden shower trees, still in their teenage years. Soon they would be big trees and fill hearts with joy with their yellow blooms.

On the first day, we saw a huge banyan by the way side whose girth had been accommodated by a gap in the wall and that made us really glad. We walked past a park, a bit neglected, with a walk way beneath ancient trees standing guard in and around it. Their branches were spread out far and wide with the canopies giving protection to humans and animals alike from the sun.

On the second day, our walk was towards the sea and the promenade next to it. There were newer trees here, a gulmohar included, its red flowers brightening up the scene. There was a cat beneath a banyan tree, taking in the morning sea air. It obligingly posed for a picture, then went back to its musings.

While returning we paused to admire, and click, the lone cannon ball tree with its fragrant flowers. The rain trees (again!) around it looked like they were holding hands above, their leaves making a lace like pattern through which the sky could be seen in broken bits.

On the way back, we heard someone say “Excuse me!” and stopped to look around. A lady got off her scooter and walked towards us. She said she had seen us admiring the trees. Apparently she conducted a walking tour through Fort Kochi’s heritage lanes to familiarise people with its history, and also its trees, for a fee.

I was sorely tempted to take up the offer. But unfortunately, that was our last day and we already had plans, breakfast being the first of them and departure later on. But there’s always a next time. I took down her number, promising to contact her on my next visit. You see, I can never get enough of trees!

Sharing some pictures:

©️ Shail Mohan 2024