Kerala Hugged: A Travelogue (Munnar/Kochi/Alleppey/Varkala)

The moment one hears the word 'Kerala', tea plantations, house boats, mesmerizing weather, boat races occupy your thoughts. I've never been to Kerala and am always intrigued when any of my friend visits the place. There's something different to read about one's travel experience. What photos couldn't do to me, was done by this book. I am one among those persons who love to read travel experiences of others. This book was indeed a lovely treat to me. The narration has been done extremely well. The manner in which the author has described the places makes you paint a picture of the place in your minds. The narration is realistic. I liked the way the author presented his experience - dividing the parts with sub-headings and also, adding a few pictures here and there. The author has been honest when talking about the incompetent guide and the sale of ferry tickets at the Ernakulam. This book made me realise that you do not always need a group of friends to travel. It also made me realise that consulting and thereby, booking a tour package may keep you away from exploring nature and admiring its beauty. Travelling alone and exploring places can be fun too. I would conclude saying that the travel bug has bitten me. I shall plan my trip to Kerala soon. I rate 'Kerala Hugged' with 4/5 stars.

“I hardly started to admire her that she draped herself in clouds. Playful she was, but shy she wasn't. Announcing love, the clouds receded, and she smiled in jest. Alas! I only gazed her. Too pretty to be near! Too alluring to be far!” This is how the author, Ankur Mutreja, only begins to compliment the city of Munnar and the unparalleled leisure Kerala offers. The book is a compilation of the author's experiences on his journey to the state. Kerala Hugged being a travelogue helps one relive the moments through the author's eyes. It takes you along the whole trip perfectly pointing out the exceptional pleasures right from Munnar's tea plantations to the Alleppey backwaters. Not only a detailed description of the scenic beauty of the places is given, but also the hurdles one might face while attempting to view them have been provided. It hence makes you aware of the endeavours to be cautious of as well making sure that you know-it-all. I particularly found the appendix stating the places to visit and eat provided towards the end a very convenient and thoughtful inclusion as it is the apt go to page for references while planning your excursions or even when you're amidst them. The writing is quirky yet precise making it an easy and informative read. The sheer expressions of the author compels you enough to book a trip right away and expose yourself to the delights Kerala lays before you. I already feel the urge to pack my bags and I promise, you shall too.

Kerala Hugged is a delightful and quirky travelogue, chronicling the author’s travels through this southern-most part of India. I travelled in Kerala a few years ago, so I agreed to review the book even though it’s well outside of what I usually review. Ankur Mutreja has a very personal way of describing his relationships with landscapes, objects, and events. His description of muddy roads, busy towns, river trips, friendly people and home-stays brought back my own experiences there (I ate some of the best food I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the world in Kerala, the spice-growing area of India). As he wrote about free-wheeling down through the tea-gardens on his hired motorbike, I thought of all the people we had met doing exactly that. The writing is lyrical, and it’s clear the author fell in love with this area (just as I did). It’s far from the usual travel book: you’re not going to read detailed reviews or directions, or a list of the top attractions. It’s much more personal than that! It’s his impressions, emotions, reactions to the location and his experiences there, much written in almost poetical language. The biggest lack in the book is a map. I needed to keep checking where he was against a map of the region. If you haven’t been to Kerala, you might get a bit confused by the geography. So…not a typical travelogue, but one I personally enjoyed. 4 stars. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review