Philipkutty's
Farm
Home stay with kerala Christian family near the backwaters.
Three tastefully done up cottages set in an
idyllic surrounding, traditional homemade food, and personal attention of the
host and his family are the highlights of the home-stay The cottages have modern
toilets with running water and all luxurious facilities.
The host’s grandfather was a pioneer in land reclamation and the host’s father,
was an illustrious agriculturist who was awarded the Kera Kesari award for the
best coconut cultivator by the Government of Kerala in 1994.The farm is part of
an island which was reclaimed (man made) in the early 1950s by the host’s
grandfather .The island was the last bit of land to have been reclaimed in the
backwater region for agriculture.
About the farm
The host manages a large part of the farm, which is a part of the larger farm
owned by the extended family .The farm is five feet below sea level. A pump is
employed to pump out the excess water that accumulates with the monsoon. The
farm has an interesting mix of crops. The working farm, which practices
sustainable / organic methods of farming, is two metres below the lake level and
has coconut, toddy, nutmeg, banana, cocoa and pepper cultivation not to forget
the jumbo prawn (scampi) and karimeen (pearlspot) found in some of the farm
canals.
During the home-stay you can see the
cultivation of commercial crops like coconut (also toddy tapping) ,banana,
cocoa, nutmeg, a little bit of pepper and the culture of fresh water jumbo
prawns (Scampi). Scampi culture is seasonal. In addition to these there are many
other fruits, spices, flowers and vegetables that are grown in the garden.
Activities
You can enjoy a quite time all to yourself just relaxing in the peaceful, quite
and green surroundings, swim in the lake waters, interact with the family and
other farmers, or learn some Kerala cooking from your hostess. You can observe
planting, harvesting, toddy tapping etc., or just trek through the farm enjoying
the natural surroundings. You can also take a country boat ride through the main
Canal in the farm and do some bird watching. You can visit temples, churches and
other places of interest in the near vicinity. You can also do a village
expedition either by foot or on a bicycle with the aid of a map. In short you
have a chance to observe local community life and activities like coir making ,
mat making , traditional fishing and more.
Villas
Not to forget the clean, dry and spacious modern bathroom in each villa. Extra
beds are available if needed, and there is also a generator to backup the
electricity in case of any power failure. There are plenty of doors and windows
in each villa which open on to the farm, garden and backwaters. The floor is finished in rustic clay tiles and
the ceiling in wood. There is also a small verandah finished in traditional
red-oxide which runs around each villa. To
complement the villas, there is a beautiful thatched pavilion on stilts,
overlooking the farm with views of the backwaters. The pavilion opens on to a
small, neat courtyard under an old mango tree.
Tips & Suggestions
Who should come: Great
for anyone looking for experiences with insights into Keralan life. Also for any
discerning traveller who would appreciate a personalised holiday with a family
to care for them.
What to expect: No room service - No
air-conditioning - No Television - Family ambience - Local food - Home
kitchen - Meals with family - Personal attention - Children welcome - Local
culture and experience - Nature - Solitude and safety - Privacy -
Eco-sensitive tourism.
There 5 rooms for guests.
3 independent waterfront villas -- on the west wing
2 independent waterfront villas [one with 2 separate bedrooms each with en suite
bathrooms and a common living space] on the East wing.
Price
including all meals, sunset cruise on a country boat, tea coffee and farm
tour.
01 June 2007 to 30 Sept 2007.
Rs 6000 / 2 persons / night with all meals.
Rs 5000 / 1 person / night with all meals.
Child up to 5 years: Free
Child 6yrs to 12 years: Rs 1500
Above 12 years: Rs
2500
01 October 2007 to 31 May 2008
Rs 9900 / 2 persons / night with all meals.
Rs 8900 / 1 persons / night with all meals.
Child up to 5 years: Free
Child 6yrs to 12 years: Rs 2000
Above 12 years: Rs
3000
21 December 2007 to 10 January
2008
Rs 12000 / 2 persons / night with all meals.
Rs 11000 / 1 persons / night with all meals.
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