Two weeks back I had the opportunity to meet with a few of my classmates (from post-graduation days) and their families. Last year I had written a post about how a couple of us were looking to find all twenty-five batch-mates from the 1981 batch, and trying to make a re-union happen. Whaddya know it did happen with 8 out of the 25 getting together (17 were accounted for, but the rest could not make it) in August last year. We visited the campus and also one of our teachers.
The logical next move to this had to be a get together with families included. And that is just what happened two weeks back. Once again not all of us could make it, which is quite natural with the different work schedules and commitments of each. But some of us did manage to get together and spent the day in a houseboat, cruising the backwaters of Alleppey as also having a rocking time with speeches (all fun, pulling each others legs, not the boring kind), music, dance and more. I had a hard time actually being torn between the desire to click the beauty (and the birds) outside and the fun and laughter inside. But the after-lunch hours were spent in relaxing in the lower deck and just indulging in chit-chat. That meant I could do both.
Here are some pictures I clicked of the countryside. Isn’t it just beautiful? They gave me an idea, to start a series called Beautiful Kerala. [link]
And here is one picture of us, all set for the outing, taken by one of our juniors who came to look us up just before we were off.
The L & M of course could not make it. At the railway station where he had come to see me off, my friend asked him why he wasn’t joining us. Pointing to me he said with a straight face, “She has a daughter whom I have to take care of when she is away!” Well, that’s indeed the truth. If it weren’t for him, would I leave my baby and go gallivanting the countryside, even for friends? No way!
The countryside is so beautiful isn’t it? I never tire of looking out of the windows, even when I’m driving down to my parents’! Lovely lovely pictures, Shail!
Also, lovely that you’re having these great re-unons 🙂 Much fun, isn’t it? And yes, the birds, the birds… 🙂 Hard to resist na?
I really loved the green paddy fields, the water, the sky, the coconut trees. It was an awesome trip. Cormorants and egrets were plenty, also river terns (I think, have to get confirmation). But I believe the different migratory birds that used to swarm this route have stopped coming because of the houseboats going up and down so frequently and in such numbers. Tourism gains, but we lose the birds 😦
Wow I have heard Kerala is beautiful, this is absolutely awesom. I want to go here.
You should make that trip, MR. Did you check the link for more pictures? 🙂
Like they say: “God’s own country” as it’s mad beautiful.
Glad you had a great time revisiting your old pals 🙂
I have yet to do the houseboat..want to do that !
And I hope Luci was ok w/o her mama being there hehe 🙂
It really is beautiful, no denying the fact 😀 You should take the trip one day. I have been wanting to since long. Luci was fine and gave me a resounding welcome on my return 😀 😀
My family whenever we visit Kerala always had planned on it, but it never worked out for some reason. We have gone to other places like Thekkady and Munnar, which were good too. Along with the houseboat, I’d like to see Wayanad too, and overall do an all India trip and see places like Delhi, Chennai, Goa, Kashimir as I have never gone anywhere except Kerala. That and an all Europe trip too 🙂
I have been to Wayanad and it is beautiful too! Good luck to you for your traveling wishes to come true. 🙂
You must be feeling younger now with all the laughter and happiness with your friends. You are lucky to have Luci and somebody to take care of her (!) when you are not home!
The photographs are so beautiful, even the leafless tree picture! Green green, everywhere! Nice!
Oh yes, Sandhya. Now I am looking forward to the one next year 😀 The green was so hypnotizing. I am very fond of the green in nature, so many different shades!
I am really thankful that Luci is in good hands! 😀 🙂
The headless coconut tree looks amazing..Haven’t seen one before.. Meeting friends is such fun 😀 No food pics?
Absolutely beautiful pics 🙂
And oh my…those sneakers…I remember 😀 😀
This is soo cool shail.. You are lucky you can actually have fun times with your classmates after having left university….
Those pictures are stunning … No wonder kerala is god’s own country…
Beautiful is an understatement. Aesthetics through the eyes. Great na to catch up with old chums!
I fell i love with Kerela last April and am definitely going back again! 🙂
And I love your idea of Beautiful Kerela! 🙂
Re-unions are always happy times
Especially in Kerala’s gorgeous climes
Nature’s green shades
Has been handed it in spades
And coconuts as common as Gulshan’s rhymes!