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Accommodation
Recreating the mood of the local tribal community, our
architects have designed individual cottages amongst a landscaped spice garden.
Each dwelling is thatched with elephant grass and offers simple luxury and privacy.
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.
Recreation
At
the centre of the village is a swimming pool, surrounded by tropical trees and
lawns.
Meals
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.
Ayurveda
Spice Village has an exclusive Ayurvedic clinic, well-equipped for treatments
like Pizhichil, Njavarakizhy, Dhara and other natural therapies.
Other
facilities 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 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 a chance 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 Keralafish
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. |
