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Spice Village: Location, Periyar
Spice
Village is in Kumily, a small
settlement three kilometres from
Thekkady, the main entrance to the
Periyar Tiger Reserve. The design of
each cottage was inspired by the
native tribesmen of Periyar, the
Oorali and Mannan, who lived in
similar dwellings. Infact, one of
the cottages currently being used as
an office, is an original tribal hut
which has been modified.
Luxurious Comfort
A
number of creature comforts have
been added, however, to make your
stay a luxurious one. The rooms are
spacious and furnished with simple
sophistication: terracotta tiled
floors, wooden beds and chairs, and
whitewashed walls. ( To preserve the
environment, the furniture has been
crafted using pine from Cochin's
historic docks. ) There is also a
telephone, a fan, an en suite
bathroom with hot running water, and
an efficient laundry service. A
verandah runs round the entire
cottage, and each dwelling is set in
its own land. At the centre of the
village is a swimming pool,
surrounded by tropical trees and
lawns.
Overlooking it is a buffet
restaurant, which serves a wide
range of traditional Indian and
international cooking. As you would
expect, spices play their part in a
menu which changes daily. Spice
Village has an exclusive Ayurvedic
clinic, well-equipped for treatments
like Pizhichil, Njavarakizhy, Dhara
and other natural therapies.
The Facilities
The Village offers many other
facilities, including a conference
hall and games room, complete with
table tennis, caroom and chess
boards, and a floodlit outdoor
badminton court. The highlight,
though, is the garden itself,
bursting with a rich array of spice
trees. Each plant is carefully
marked ( giving the English and
Latin names ), and there is a
botanist at hand to answer any
question. The design of each cottage
was inspired by the native tribesmen
of periyar, the Oorali and Mannan,
who lived in similar dwellings.
Infact, one of the cottages
currently being used as an office,
is an orginal tribal hut wihch has
been modified
Water Safari
There
are several ways to explore the
Periyar Tiger Reserve. The most
popular is by boat, which allows
visitors to watch animals drinking
at the lakeside. Two hour trips are
booked at the Spice Village, and the
best chance of sighting animals is
in the early morning or at dusk.
It's an eerie sensation passing by
the forest branches which poke out
from the water, stretching through
the mist like dead men's fingers.
Many animals come to the water's
edge and it is one of the few places
in the world where elephants can be
observed at close quarters from the
safety of a boat.
Forest Treks
It can
be arranged for you to venture deep
into the tropical forests.
Accompanied by a tribal guide, you
will be dropped off by boat at the
far end of the lake, from where you
proceed on foot, quickly leaving
behind the crowds. It is only safe
to travel at certain times of the
day, but your guide will know more
about the jungle than the wild
animals which roam the savannah
grasslands and woods.
Cookery Demonstration
For
those who want more than just a
taste of the delicious Kerala
cuisine, cooking classes are held by
the Chef every evening. You get to
see for yourself how the dishes are
so carefully made. You could also
try your hand with the earthenware
pots and pans and make your own
variation of the Kerala savouries.
The Kerala fish curry, appam, avial,
etc. have a very exotic flavour. The
method of preparation is so
different that it makes Kerala
cuisine very distinct and liked by
all. Enough reasons to watch, learn
and try for yourself.
The Healing touch at Spice Village
Ayurvedic Centre
Ayurveda, the Science of Life, is
almost as old as the Indian
civilisation. It's holistic
approach, the efficacy of its
therapies and the absence of
distressing side affects are some of
its more salient features.
Throughout the world there is a
rising awareness of the benefits of
natual health systems. Health in the
ayurvedic view represents the
Harmony of body, mind and soul. It
is based on natural principles that
inform and animate human life. The
Spice Village offers the following
therapies at it's Ayurvedic Centre
under the guidance of an expert "
vaidyan " ( physician ) whom you may
consult for a fuller understanding
of symptoms and appropriate
treatment. It is well equipped with
a dispensary and qualified resident
staff.
Location
: 90 kms. from Cochin
International Airport.
60kms from Cochin City.
15Kms. from Coconut Lagoon.
12 Kms from Alleppey.
160Kms from Trivandrum.
Climate
: Min 28 C , Max 33 C
Best Season
: October to May
Accommodation
: 52 villas
Cusine
: Ethnic and international(
buffet ).
Things to Do
: Ayurvedic Massage,
yoga and meditation, swimming |
