Since I was checking out of my home stay, I decided to spend a leisurely morning at the Fort Kochi beach and try to shoot the famous Chinese fishing nets against a sunrise.
My nonchalant morning started with a meeting with a trio of really adorable kittens that were as curious about me as I was delighted to see them. In fact felines abound in Fort Kochi – guess its to do with the availability of seafood though nowhere else (as in beach towns like Goa, Maldives, Bombay) have I seen so many of them.
On reaching the beach, an old wizened fella hailed me aboard his fishing net station and started to explain how it works. I was quite impressed with his friendliness till he stretched out his hand and asked for a “tip”. Umm!! Ok I got down from his kingdom to walk on the shore, content to wait for the sunrise. Undeterred, he hailed the next “tourist”!!!!
As I stood watching the activities on the beach I marvelled at the calm unhurried gait of the people around – be it the morning walkers or the fishermen. Even the dogs were beach bums here, stretched out lazily on the wet sand and snoring away to glory. Nobody was chasing a deadline or watching the clock.
As luck would have it, I spotted a bunch of these gentlemen tossing their nets into the waters. I was not the only photographer lying in wait to catch this action. There were lot of moans and groans, upon missing the shot! 😉
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement in the water. I fixed my gaze at the spot and kept looking. Lo and behold they appeared again! A pair of dolphins gamboling in the water. Transfixed, I exclaimed loudly oh my god is that a dolphin?
A fisherman sorting out his net, casually confirmed it and continued his chores while I jumped up and down in excitement. I was the only one who got her panties twisted in a knot over this.
Watching these gentle creatures was such an amazing sight for me- it just made my day! 🙂
{I had done a “paid” tour in goa for dolphin sighting – that’s how crazy I am about them. You could read that post here}
I set out on walking along the shoreline where the waves were rushing and crashing and depositing a tonne of seashells. I have never seen such a treasure trove on shells on one spot on a beach – normally I would have had to painstakingly look for them.
Intrigued? Pin it for later!
I adore seashells and love to collect them on every beach holiday today was no exception as I walked among the pile of seashells, fascinated by the colours and shapes and sizes, I realised that with every crash on to the beach the wave brought another quantum of seashells.
I stayed over the pile of seashells deliberating over my selection, I began to hear a mellifluous tinkling sound. Curious I stood a while to notice where the sound is emanating from.
It was the sound created by the many seashell clinking against each other as the water rushed in depositing more, while pulling some back with it. I found it the most amazing sound ever and can’t believe i hadn’t noticed it before.
But then I have never before seen such an abundant sight of seashells either 🙂 Leaving you with this video I shot while standing in the water listening to the music of the waves and shells!!!
Never before have I had such a beautiful beach walk with so many experiences and epiphanies!!!!
“Once a year go somewhere where you have never gone before.” – Dalai Lama
Whats your walk on the beach like? What do you notice when you get there?
Fact File:
- Fort Kochi is one of the largest fishing ports in the world with fishing vessels from at least three Indian states visible in its waters.
- Chinese fishing nets abound in Fort Kochi and is one of the main source of income for the people here.
- Nearest airport is at Cochin, 42 km from here.
- Fort Kochi is popular as the Kochi Biennale hot spot – an arty affair which is conducted once every two years.
Stay tuned as Once Upon a time is upon us tomorrow
For the uninitiated, AtoZ challenge is a blogging challenge wherein one has to write on every alphabet from A to Z and post on all days of April, except Sundays. Usually its better to devise a theme as it makes it easy to write the posts. Plus readers have a reason to stay hooked too.
⇐ Check out this wonderful Tree house stay in Wayanad, Kerala, India ⇒
Beautiful place to have a morning walk. Love the photos
Thanks so much Sanch
This is such a feel good post. Vivid, heartwarming and surreal. The kittens are so adorable and yes beach combing is my passion too. You took to to a walk by the sea with this one.
But I don’t understand why you call it nonchalant, shouldn’t it be Nostalgic instead? Or Calming?
Blog: natashamusing
Theme: Travel Epiphanies
Mighty Cerulean Sea
Thanks so much Natzee!! Nonchalant to express carefree and uncarng morning – free from all worries and hurries!!! I am glad I didnt title it Nostalgia – too many posts were named that on the day!!! 🙂
Shals – Love the quote of Dalai Lama you have here in the post.. and my walks on the beach – blissful, calming, and energizing all at the same time.. I am glad we live in the San Francisco Bay Area where the beaches are just a short drive away and with spring in the air and summer not far away, we are going to frequent them more often..
LadyInRead @ MyRandRSpace – Day 17 & the Letter N
Thanks so much Vidya- that man has a way with words which really home in our hearts!!!!
Wow SF bay area sounds heavenly!! Major envy headed your way my dear!! 😉
Hey I took a trip to Kochi too recently and loved it as much as the awesome pics shared by you above. I am glad you spotted that pair of Dolphins 🙂 🙂
Fort Kochi is really so wonderful Roma – glad you got to have a holiday here.
Loved this. The kittens adorable, the descriptions wonderful. And yay for dolphins
Thank you and yah for the kittens and dolphins
That was indeed some lovely time you spent there Shalini. How I long to walk on the beach. Its been a while now since I went to a beach. But when I go, I too like collecting sea shells and just stand and watch the waves crash to the shore.
I hear you Reema..Walking on the beach and collecting seashells is such a great thing to do everytime.
Video of the sea waves breaking on to the shells, was like the cherry on top! I could take a free ride to the beach of Fort Kochi… and I definitely was no nonchalant, but very much in love with the place!
Kochi beach is so much fun although I think I like the photos of the kittens the best.
Cheers
You truly took me on a journey with you. So beautifully narrated. There is wisdom in the Dalai Lama’s statement.
You had a lovely time at the beach. Watching the fishermen in action is so mesmerizing! And you got to see the dolphins again. Was it in Goa that you saw them earlier in the middle of the sea?
Those kittens :)))
totallly adorable!
Oh my God!! So many of them together!!!
Your theme has seriously given me some travel goals Shalini!
Cheers
I have been to Fort Kochi and I agree with your description of the place! It’s a place where time literally comes to a halt! Loved your stunning pictures, esp of the fisherman, the three cats and the sea shells.
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess
Those nets! You’ve captured it so well, from the elegance of the toss to the way it’s fallen on the water. The sea shells look so beautiful! It’s been ages since I planned a beach holiday.
I’ve been here a few years ago. It was a lovely morning. Naturally, the foodie in me gravitated towards the fishermen selling their wares. If you noted, they sell them to you and then right across the road, the shops are open in the morning itself to cook it for you as well!
Oooo, you had me at the kittens! Love the beach photos, it makes me wish I was there instead of sitting at a desk!
Happy A-Zing!
What a perfect setting for a morning walk! Loved the magic you wove in your words and those fantastic serial shots made me live that beautiful morning <3
Those abundant sea shells are making me crave for a beach holiday!
The Dalai Lama has nailed it with that quote, a man after my own heart 🙂 Lovely description of your walk, and photos to match!
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
There was a lot going on on that beach. How cool that you got to see dolphins.
Yeah that was really cool
There is something appealing about slowing down, noticing the world. Nice post.
Yes Jacqui , so true that. Thanks 🙂
Those shells – that was amazing! The beach was making music! Glorious!
Thanks Vanessa. Yeah the beach was making music!! 🙂
Hahaha he wanted to tip you saw dolphins just like that… That’s awesome… I would have jumped into the water probably. That’s a lot of shells… Did you take them home?
Oh yes I took pocketful home with me!! I always collect shells from a beach holiday as a souvenier to bring back!!!
You really make me miss home, you know! 🙁 I loved this post. And that photographs on tossing the nets? Fantastic! <3
Oh Shalzz thank you for the compliment. I love it. I am glad you connected ao much with my post to miss home
I’ve never heard the sound of seashells. But I used to love collecting them as a kid. Those kitties look real cute! Such a lovely place to have your morning walk at!
Btw, I’m lagging behind even more. But will catch up. Do visit my N post.
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Thanks Sweetheart- lagging behind is common amidst a whole load of us!!! DOnt worry just push on; I will catch on my reading on sunday!!!!
Kochi was so amazing when we went – fish, food, sea but was too hot. The kittens are so cute SHalzy.
Ha ha yeah the kittens were such a playful delight – I actually clicked them for Ishita’s hashtag on insta.
I found the city hot and muggy too but enjoyed the sea breeze! 🙂
Loved all the pictures and that video/audio in the waves was just mesmerizing. Took me to the beach right with you. That quote by Dalai Lama is like a breath of fresh air. If you haven’t seen something new, what have you done?
Thanks so much Parul- this feels so good to hear. And yes that quote is something else! I am so glad I stumbled onto it!!! 🙂
[…] as per stats with 1100 + views is this But the when that I enjoyed writing the most is on letter N. I enjoyed writing all of them and actually cant say if anyone was tough to write on. I enjoyed […]
Absolutely loved this. Esp. the poignant moments you shared, the pictures of the fisherman casting his net (and the picture with water outlining was jaw dropping)!. The video of sea waves against the seashells was mesmerising. I missed that part of Fort Kochi during both our visits. Something to look forward to our next to Kochi, if it ever happens.
Thanks so much Gayatri – I miss every moment of being on Fort Kochi and the beach was the best part honestly. Hope to go there again soon.