Rainy Days at Ocean Green Kannur

At the pristine Thottada Beach, Kannur.

Rain reminds me of Kerala. Lush coconut trees, pathways filled with water, everywhere you see there is water and more water.

We visited Oceangreen Homestay to experience the onset of Monsoons last year. Although everyone cautioned us against it, the heart wants what the heart wants. The house is located near Adikadalayi village, Kannur. It is a typical Kerala-style house -  red-tiled roofs, red floors, relaxing armchairs on the balcony, and the fragrance of coconut oil in the kitchen courtyard. Nestled in a coconut grove, this house seems straight out of an Anitha Nair novel, maybe Alphabet Soup for Lovers.

“This is the world. Half of it is lit by the sun and the other half remains in darkness. It is the same with life. There is good and bad and it’s our duty to remain in the light, be good.” ― Anita Nair, Ladies Coupe

Additionally, the house has a unique fish pond in the courtyard with a kitchen garden above it on an iron platform. The water from the fish pond is pumped to the garden where it is filtered through the soil and sent back to the pond. This acts as a fertilization and water filtration mechanism. I was thrilled to see such a nice green initiative in a place which as it is gets water and nature in all its abundance.

Very basic but clean rooms make for a comfy stay. The central courtyard has a table and some books that travellers have left behind. Our favourite corner was the spread-out balcony - we would lounge there and watch the rain pour down over the garden plants and the coconut grove.

The sea is a mere 50 meters away. As you walk through the coconut grove in front of the house, you come upon a scenic estuary with a bridge over it. After a short walk and climb over a stone embankment - you discover an endless stretch of sand and azure sky. All-day long, the beach remains deserted. Once we saw a lone fisherman who braved the rain. In the evenings, some village lads play football on the beach. It presents a postcard image.

The sea is at times violent, given the monsoon season. The pristine white shore with some picturesque rock formations in the distance is perfect for long walks. Sitting and watching this marvel at play is any sea lover's delight. Spending that monsoon at Oceangreen Homestay is a fond memory for me, like biting into a slice of raw mango - scintillating, thrilling and sheer delight to the senses.