Hi friends, my last post was about my #100happydays that I completed and the whys and hows of it. 
I have been asked by several of my friends to have an open-ended happy days which they felt was inspiring and good-to- follow on my page. As I debate whether to do that or not – have 100 happy weeks or 100 happy months, I decided to put some random thoughts to paper… So here goes….
Last week , I had an opportunity of traveling across the length of my state, Kerala, situated on the Malabar coast of southwestern India. Aptly named “God’s own country”, Kerala abounds in natural beauty varying from beaches to hill stations and that unique feature of this beautiful state – its backwaters. As often happens, all my visits to my home state Kerala have been devoid of “exploring it” per se. This time however we decided to “see” a little of Keralam… starting with the north …
As yet undiscovered by tourists, Kannur has a beautiful coastline with a few lesser known beaches like Peyyambalam Beach, Baby beach and a particularly interesting one known as the Drive-in Beach, touted as one of its kind. Kannur has very few resorts and 5 Star hotels to boast of and home stays form an important form of accommodation for tourists in this quaint little town.
We stayed in a Army guest house very aptly named Jannat that is built literally on the beach. With a coconut grove separating it from the rocky beach, it is a place one can spend hours……reading, listening to music or just watching the sea change its moods from calm and still to rough and tumultuous…reflecting one’s own mind. My husband also seemed as taken with the sea and the beautiful surroundings…as we watched the boats go by, watched the sunset from the room or had breakfast on the beach.
Morning walks were a study in contrast to the ones I had become accustomed to used to in the busy Metros – I found time to stand and stare and listen and imbibe…..sounds and scents and sights…Kannur has been in the news off and on for some disturbances, but to me, it offered a place to rest, recoup and rejuvenate my mind.
As I watched the waves, I marveled at the way they mirrored life itself and the people we meet along life’s way……….. As each wave crashes on the beach and having spent its energy, recedes, it meets another wave on its onward journey towards the beach….they meet and both change …in direction, depth and content just as we do as and when we meet people who change our lives in some little way, tangible or intangible.
All relationships begin as strangers who cross each others paths by accident or providence as we traverse the path of life. And ever so often, these chance meetings result in relationships which affect each others lives in various ways, sometimes just for a season…sometimes for an entire lifetime. We change a little with each life that we touch and each one that touches ours… never the same again. Ah, Life!
The Muthappan temple, the colorful and awe inspiring Theyyam, the lighthouse, the Bekal Fort and the newly made Arackal museum are some of the other sights that Kannur offers.
We may be busy with innumerable things in our lives…….but its important to take time out…. and re-connect. Reconnect with ourselves first of all…. with our world…with the people in our lives.. Cliched as it may sound,here’s a quote…. Take vacations … You can always make money… but you can’t always make memories…
Discover unexplored territories in yourself in the world around you creating waves…creating memories.
Cheers till my next missive……. Have a great weekend…… 
Ripples N Reflections 
A vivid travelogue with an insight into your philosophy of life. Delicious.
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Thanks Anita Menon….. very kind of you…….
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As always… Beautifle write
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Thanks for complying!
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Very well expressed. Having been witness to your experiences during the trip, the emotions could not have been penned more aptly. Was fortunate to have shared those moments with you.
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The “fortune” was all mine……..
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Great start! Keep it up.
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Thanks……..
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Traversed the beautiful town of Kannur along with you…as always,a lovely reflection of your experience..looking forward to more!!
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Thanks Sunitha…….Do you blog?
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Thoroughly enjoyed reading it and lovely pics…..it has everything to make one experience the scenic beauty of Kerala with a pinch of philosophy !!!!
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Thanks Rashmi.. u are always kind! liked the bit about a pinch of Philosophy!
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That was beautiful. Thank you for taking is to Kannur.
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Grrrrrrreat to hear frm u Prasanna… esp on this platform..
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good one…..enjoyed the writing and the pics
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Thanks a ton….. that’s very encouraging
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Amita, So we agree about something else. The beach is my very favorite vacation spot, to the point where no other place quite works as a place to get away, walk and write with few distractions. Fortunately, this year I am going for two months! Your pictures and reflections of your life were lovely. You are an ambitious woman who seems to have fit all into your life: career, family and travel. I’ll enjoy getting to know you as we spill our lives out in our blogs…Judy
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Great hearing from you Judy. Yes I too look fwd to getting to know you. I have never been “accused” of being ambitious, but yes I love to fit a lot into my life…..
And my name is Aruna. Amita is a friend who had commented on the blog….. thanks a ton for all the encouragement.. Blogging is a new “fit” into my life….and am lovin’ it….!!
Happy blogging n have a great weekend…
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Wow! That pretty much sums up the place 🙂 I loved how you drew comparisons between life and the sea waves…your finishing lines reflect my own thought process…live life and make memories…
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Thanks. As it was one of my first attempts….It drew very few readers. That thought came to me as I watched the waves..
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