Joyce Job's Blog

Sambranikodi Island – a Mangrove Paradise in Kollam, Kerala.

See Ashtamudi

On August 9th, 2025, while I was walking through the shores of  ‘Ashtamudi Lake’, near the Kollam KSRTC bus stand, I noticed a double-decker boat, with the name ‘See Ashtamudi.’ Out of sheer curiosity, I jotted down the boat’s contact details. 

Back in the comforts of my home, I dialed the number and was delighted to learn that it was a passenger-cum-tourist ferry service, operated by the Kerala government. Starting at 11:30 am, the ferry offered a five-hour ride through the Ashtamudi Lake, helping tourists explore its associated wetland ecosystem, particularly the adjacent mangrove forests and nearby islands, such as Sambranikodi, Mundrothuruth, and Kaakkathuruth. 

Mundrothuruth and Sambranikodi were two spots on my Kollam itinerary that intimidated me, mainly because I had no idea how to reach those spots by public transport. I was planning to take a bus to Prakkulam (a village in Kollam) to catch a ferry to Sambranikodi, and a passenger train to Mundrothuruth to explore these islands. So imagine my joy when I discovered there was a direct ferry service from Kollam town to these spots. I leapt at the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Bill, look at me! It was just an idiom!

Despite the Onam season and associated vacation rush, I was able to secure a reservation on the ferry for August 28th, a Thursday. 

August 28, 2025, Thursday

A Nightmare

My anxiety rarely lets me sleep on the nights before group tours or pre-booked journeys. As usual, on August 27th, I kept tossing and turning on my bed all night.

The next day, on the day of my trip, I woke up at 5 am, wide-eyed and startled by a nightmare. In the dream, I was at my maternal grandma’s house, too busy with chores, clueless that the hour needle of the clock was stuck at 9. I realized my mistake only around 11 am, with not enough time to get ready or catch the ferry. 

Imagine my relief when I woke up from this nightmare and realized that I still had 6.5 hours to catch the boat. Phew! They say, “You never realize the value of something until it’s gone.” Waking up from that nightmare, I understood how much I was actually looking forward to that trip. I vowed not to miss that boat and to enjoy the journey to its fullest, come what may.

Rain & Powercuts

I felt tense again as the morning was riddled with heavy showers and strong winds. The one question that plagued my mind at that point was, “Will the organizers cancel the ferry service due to bad weather?” Nevertheless, I tried to stay optimistic. 

At 8 am, while I was busy cooking breakfast, my whole house sank into darkness, thanks to a power cut and the heavy rain outside. There wasn’t enough power in the emergency light, so I had to switch on my mobile phone’s torchlight to continue cooking.

Alas! I realized my blunder. What if the electricity wasn’t restored anytime soon? Then my mobile phone might shut down by the time I go on the trip. How would I navigate a new place like Sambranikodi, click photos, and make notes about the trip without my phone?  What if I faced a critical situation where I badly needed my phone’s help?

I quickly switched off the torch and turned ON my phone’s power save mode. It turned out to be the right move, because the electricity was gone for hours.

Phone Calls

I had finished my household chores and freshened up, but my fear that the trip might get cancelled due to the poor weather got the better of me. So, at 10 am, heeding my brother’s advice, I called the contact number of the boat again. 

The staff didn’t pick up my call at first. When I retried, the line was busy for some time. Though the staff eventually picked up my call on the third or fourth try, they cut it abruptly, saying they were busy with a boat trip and asked me to call back later. The fact that they were working that day dispelled all my worries. 

What I Packed

The rain continued, but the heavy showers had given way to slight drizzles.

I wore casual clothes and rain-friendly rubber sandals.  Since it was raining, I packed my purple umbrella and borrowed my brother’s yellow raincoat as well. (Yes, the raincoat reminds me of Jonas’ yellow jacket from the Dark series.) A few plastic covers to keep the wet umbrella/raincoat. Some cash in hand. Some tissues, a mask & sanitizer. A one-litre bottle of water.  I went to the nearby grocery store to stock up on some healthy snacks and energy bars. But I ended up choosing Snickers and a few croissants with creme inside, purely for their taste. (Fair warning: You shouldn’t take diet advice from me. )

Nightmare Turned Reality

I left home by 10:40 am. After buying snacks, I boarded a bus to the Kollam KSRTC bus stand and walked to the nearby boat centre. I reached the boat jetty by 11 am, thirty minutes before the boarding time, or so I thought. 

My jaw was on the floor when the staff told me that the ‘See Ashtamudi’ Boat left by 10:30 am. My mind immediately went to full-on panic and disaster analysis mode:

“Did I hear the timing wrong during the call?” 

“But the Kerala Tourism website also mentioned the start time as 11:30 am.” 

“So how did I miss the boat? Oh, this is a nightmare!”

Seeing my confused face, the staff explained apologetically: “Due to the Onam rush, we had to convert the daily 5-hour trip into two 4-hour trips. The morning trip starts at 10:30 am, and the evening trip at 4 pm, which will be inaugurated by the MLA today.”

After confirming that my name was on the reserved list, the staff also added, “We called everyone who booked a slot with us, but we were unable to reach you.”

My bad luck! What are the odds of missing a boat due to preponement? 

“At least, my intuitive powers are still intact, and the nightmare forewarned me.” I tried to look at the brighter side of things.

My DDLJ Moment

Seeing my sad face, the staff started showering me with options. 

“You can return at 4 pm for the second trip,” one of the staff suggested.

“Or there’s a regular passenger boat run by the government bound to Sambranikodi at the jetty now. You can get on that,” the second staff member recommended, pointing at a ferry at a distance. “It might leave soon,” he warned me. 

The Iconic DDLJ Train Scene.

Upon hearing his words, I sprang into action. Like Kajol in that iconic DDLJ train scene, I ran and leapt onto the boat’s deck. Though there were a few major differences:  There was no need for such rush or drama as the boat was still at rest, and of course, there was no SRK on the deck. Sigh!

To be continued…

Author’s Notes

~ GIF credit & source – Make A Gif

~ All other content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

August 15, Friday 

We Indians celebrate August 15 as our Independence Day. It’s also a national holiday for us.

Slow First-Half

The day began with heavy showers. I thought I would have to spend the entire day indoors. In fact, I spent the first half of the day plugged to my desktop, watching various news debates and analyses of how well India has performed in the last 79 years of Independence, and whether India is truly free. I particularly liked the Unacademy analysis of the same. But my deep dive into news channels and articles slowly turned into doom scrolling, and I had to remind myself to snap out of it.

I figured the best way to break my negative thought cycle and to celebrate my country’s Independence Day was to actually ‘exercise my freedom.’ So I decided to visit Kollam Beach and watch the sunset. 

Journey Begins

By 4:20 pm, I got on a private bus to the central hub of Kollam city, Chinnakada. Once I reached the roundabout, I spent some time at Supreme Bakers, buying hot samosas and some juice.

By 4:45 pm, I started walking from Chinnakada to Kollam Beach, an approximate distance of  1.7 kilometers, a mostly flat road. Two kilometers is the threshold I’ve set for my long walks. If I see a distance less than that, I always walk.

On the way, I saw many restaurants, like Rahath. The aroma of food always makes me hungry. There were also many shops on the lane, including ones that sold tyres and provided automobile services.

After some time, I came across the Kochupilamoodu bridge. I crossed it and followed the directions on the signboard. Soon, I could see the beach at a distance. 

Sea. The blue sea of freedom, and an even bluer, liberated sky. 

Sea. The blue sea of freedom, and an even bluer, liberated sky.

Nostalgic Sights

I spotted the Kadaloram Coastal Kitchen Restaurant on the left. As I neared the beach, the familiar and nostalgic sights of pani puri, Lazza Ice cream, and masala kappalandi (fried groundnuts mixed with masala) stalls greeted me. 

There were a few boats anchored in the sand. The familiar sight of old couples, young lovers, friend gangs, families, migrant labourers, and even pregnant ladies enjoying the sea, and street dogs sleeping in the shade made me feel safe.

A street food seller at Kollam Beach.

Strong Tides & Litter

Unfortunately, yellow ropes restricted access to the sea. There were also signboards warning about strong tides. 

For a minute, I wondered why the beach looked so untidy and littered today. Usually, when my family and I visit the beach after our Sunday mass, it always looks cleaner and more peaceful.

It was probably because of the monsoons and high tides. Maybe a lot of debris from the sea washed ashore.  Plastic covers, bottles, packages of various popular brands, beer bottles, and even coconuts lay on the shore. 

Some people were using this as an excuse to leave the wrappers of their food items on the beach itself, instead of disposing of them in the dustbins. I don’t like it when people disrespect nature and public places like this. I don’t like the “somebody will clean up after me” attitude either.

Beach Scenes

Am I aiming for the sun like Icarus in wax wings?

I walked towards the other end of the beach, following the yellow rope that restricted access to the sea. I could hear public announcements about the Gemini circus at Asramam Maidan. 

I entertained myself by paying attention to every beautiful sight and enticing aroma on the way. Multi-colored kites flying in the sky. Stalls selling fritters of different kinds: raw and ripe banana fritters, chilli and egg bhajjis, salted popcorn, gooseberries,  lemons, and grapes, cut and salted mangoes, pineapples, and oranges,  and white and pink cotton candies, also called Bombay mittai(candy).

I was amused to see a few pigeons and crows hopping on the sand for a long while. Why play hoppty-hop when you can fly? I guess they were searching for food.

At a distance, a kid was making a pretty detailed sand castle with multiple towers and a protective fort. The only problem was that the sand was too dry. So the castle kept falling apart. But her parents, who sat by her side, constantly encouraged her with motivating words and amused smiles.

Am I building a sandcastle on a beach, too? Will my dreams ever come true? I thought for a second. “Oh, let’s not open that door.” I trolled myself like Chandler Bing. 

Are We Simple Creatures?

As I continued walking, a group of young boys playing Panja Gusthi (Arm Wrestling) caught my eye. Funny enough, just parallel to them, a group of senior men was playing cards, with serious expressions.

Is this what internet memes mean when they say men are simple creatures? Their toy cars just get bigger, and their games and topics of discussion change. But underneath, they vibe just the same, and they never want to stop playing. 

I don’t either. Adulting is so difficult and boring, especially for adults. Most get too caught up in making a living and often forget to live. Men and women alike. 

People Watching & Sounds

Next to them, I found another senior group, seriously discussing current politics.   A boy in Barcelona’s red and blue jersey, with Messi’s name on the back, was playing in the sand. His father was lying on the sand next to him.

A pakshishasthrakkaran, holding a caged green parrot and a deck of cards, asked me if I needed a consultation. I said no, mainly because as Christians, the Bible teaches us not to get involved in any form of divination or fortune-telling. But also because I have enough past and present problems to worry about, why learn the future ones in advance? Let me encounter them in due course of time. It’s not like my anxiety would let me stop anticipating the worst anyway. 

I could hear a lot of different sounds around me at that time. The cotton candy seller’s bell. A kid was blowing his whistler toy. Broken bits of Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Bengali language conversations around me, and some languages that I didn’t even recognize.

Horses & A Camel

Two men were walking alongside their horse – the horse’s body was ash and white in color, but its face looked pinkish. Two little boys were on top. 

There was also a decorated camel in the premises. As I watched, two little girls mounted the camel. The camel started braying like a goat. Maybe it was hungry or tired. But its owner or caretaker pulled the rein that goes through the camel’s nose and forced it to stand on its feet. The poor thing kept braying even as it trotted with the kids on top. 

Whenever I visit the Thar desert regions of Rajasthan, I have always imagined enjoying a camel ride. But after witnessing this scene, I don’t think I will ever go on a camel ride in my life. I hope I will stick to this decision and not fall for peer pressure when the time actually comes. 

Pamphlets

As soon as I sat down on a black granite-paved cement bench for some rest, multiple people approached me with different demands. Some asked for alms and donations, while others tried to sell eatables and perfume.

An anti-drugs campaign was being hosted on the premises. There was a prayer group talking about this through the microphone in the open-air auditorium. A few teenagers handed over pamphlets with Christian messages, while others gave me brochures about the latest Samsung models and newly opened restaurants.

To escape the torrent of pamphlets and financial requests, I resumed walking. 

Wading into the Water

In my dreams, paradise is a beach, a hilltop, or a dense forest, and never a cityscape.

As I reached the steps near the open-air auditorium, I saw an area where there were no ropes restricting access to the sea. My mind was like – Bingo! Determined to play in the seawater for some time,  I walked down the cement steps to the wet sand. 

I could see eagles circling in the sky. I was staring at them, thinking about their religious significance in my father’s village. Even before I could complete my thought, a sea wave hit me out of the blue, and I got half-drenched. I wondered how I would walk around in my fully soaked jeans and half-soaked kurta. Well, when nature makes her plans, we can only play along.

I was happy to see a few young NCC cadets, in khaki uniforms, playing in the water. It’s as if once our feet touch the seawater, we become kids again, and all the problems of our adult lives have to wait.

The sea brought with it a tiny conch shell and a starfish, too. I wondered: where did all the conch shells go? In our childhood, my sister and I used to collect enough shells to make garlands on every beach visit. Now I feel lucky to find one. 

But then, out of nowhere, came the whistles of the coastal guards. “Are you guys mad? Didn’t you see the warnings and rope? Do you want to be in the mortuary?” They asked, hitting their wooden sticks on the ground angrily.

I quickly withdrew from the beach and climbed the cement steps. The NCC cadets followed me. All of us sat on the topmost, black granite-paved step, disappointed that our ‘sea time’ was cut short so fast. 

Wait for the Sunset

A toy and balloon seller at Kollam Beach.

It was just 6 pm. There were 40 more minutes for the sunset. So I decided to walk near the roadside, exploring the stalls, but mainly to air-dry my clothes. There was a row of stalls selling fake Crocs, sandals, shawls, purses, and plastic toys.

There was also a grillhouse nearby. I saw the Mahatma Gandhi Park for kids and the board to the Marine Aquarium. Since it was a national holiday, both were closed. I don’t think the marine aquarium is functional. From a distance, the park looked like it needed some maintenance work: removal of weeds and a fresh coat of paint. It is one of the challenges of a heavy monsoon place like Kerala. 

A Forgotten Mermaid

If the sea doesn’t want her, the grasslands will claim her.

Near the Mahatma Gandhi Park, there’s a mermaid statue. I’ve seen her before. But she was bigger in my memories. Did I grow up, or is it some other statue from another spot in Kerala that I was mistaking her for? I had no clue. 

She looked neglected with vines creeping around her body. It almost felt like a warning from nature: “If you are going to take her for granted, I will claim her back.” 

Boredom

With 25 minutes still left to spare and my leg aching, I settled down on the sand, next to a Hindi-speaking family, and gorged on a samosa and sipped some juice too. I was tempted to eat the rest of the samosas too, but I kept them aside for my family.

I found myself lamenting: Of all the days, why did the sunset have to be at 6:40 today? Why so late? I could be at home now, negotiating with my brother for that spare samosa. I laughed at my own hypocrisy. 

I speak about freedom all the time, but as soon as I feel hungry, I’m willing to abandon my rebellion to go home and eat. There was also the patriarchal conditioning: that involuntary fear and need to rush home as soon as it gets dark, even though by logic I know I’m safe to roam around my home city at least till 9 pm.

Seeing the dozing dogs, I wished I could curl up near them and sleep too. All the sophistications of being a human, only to stop ourselves from doing things that we actually want to do. The primal side in me complained, while the part of me that wants my countrymen to develop more civic sense called out my double standards. 

A Magician to the Rescue!

Even the most banal scenes is suddenly invested with so much meaning!

I resumed walking. With the crawling time and littered sand, the beach was just not vibing. I couldn’t even observe someone for long before they stared back at me. 

I knew just what I needed. Sushin Shyam to the rescue! I started playing my favorite composition of his – Cherathukal. 

Now the whole beach started vibing to the rhythm and mood of the song. People started moving in slow motion. The horses trotting, the crows flapping their wings, and the ball rolling in leisure… everything looked twice as beautiful. 

The white-capped young guy who rolled the thread of a green kite into a ball could easily pass off as the hero of this movie. The chetan selling cotton candies rang his bell in the pause between two notes. 

A kiddo in a black helmet, posing for a selfie before the setting sun, a grandma fondly watching her granddaughter play in the sand, the sand castle trampled by someone, the dogs slowly waking up from their slumber, bubbles in the air, empty beer bottles on the sand, the ebbs and flows of the sea waves, the crowd’s collective wait for the sunset…  Everything matched the song’s vibe. At least in my head, they did.

“Dan: That’s what I love about music.

Greta: What?

Dan: One of the most banal scenes is suddenly invested with so much meaning! All these banalities – They’re suddenly turned into these… these beautiful, effervescent pearls. From Music.” – A Quote from one of my favorite movies, Begin Again.

Sunset

The sun in its final act, and silhouettes of people bidding goodbye.

The final act. The showstopper himself. The yellowish-orange sun slowly dipped beyond the horizon, casting its hues on the sky, withdrawing to the castles under the sea for a long night’s sleep or another hard day’s labour on the other end of the world. Glad that he doesn’t have to follow the immigration rules.

I watched him go. And my world became dark again.

As I sat there, philosophizing about a simple sunset, reality dawned on me. The night colors were spreading. I had to head back home. 

In my country, if a woman faces a mishap, society will always ask: What was she doing out on the beach so late? What was she wearing? Did she provoke their anger or ego? Did she talk back to them? She should have defended herself. And never, how did they dare to do such an atrocious crime to her in a democracy like India? Why didn’t anyone react or offer her help?

An Independence Day Rant

As I walked out of the beach, I saw a police van parked outside and three ladies in sarees crossing the road to the beach happily. The road outside the beach had become busier. More people were coming in. 

I retraced the path back to Chinnakada, and noticed that the railway line was closed again. Some DYFI Samara Sangamam event was happening at the Chinnakada roundabout, and a politician was delivering a highly charged speech about the dangers of fascism to an impassive crowd. 

Gone… like it never was.

I couldn’t help but think: Another Independence Day will soon come to an end. But am I really free? Is my country free? What does freedom really mean to me? What more do I want from my country to lead a free life?

I want an India that’s safe for women to travel alone, not just in daylight, but also at night. An India where all of us youngsters, irrespective of our differences, can dare to dream big, work hard, and achieve them. An India where we can live life on our own terms. An India where everyone is treated equally, and human rights are not taken for granted, even if I’m a minority, a tribal, a woman, a differently abled person, or any other socially or financially marginalized community. An India where freedom of the press and creative expression of artists are not curbed by governmental censorship and propaganda. An India where the LGBTQIA+ community is not just decriminalized but also gets equal rights, like the freedom to marry the person of their choice and to start a family. An India where, for every line I write, I don’t have to be scared about governmental censoring or cyberbullying by party warriors. 

Oh, this rant could go on and on forever. 

I boarded a private bus and reached home by 7:30 pm. So much for my rebellion, I didn’t even stay out till 8. 

Happy Independence Day! Here’s to the small and imperfect acts of defiance and protests for every freedom and right that is still at stake. Coz, freedom ain’t free. 

Author’s Notes

~ All content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." data-large-file="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." src="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." alt="" class="wp-image-3906" style="aspect-ratio:1.3384787750529068;width:647px;height:auto" />Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The silent scene is changing in my glass window.

  Green curtains are dancing in the wind.

    There is a hurry on the sky road suddenly,

        a huge traffic heading home.

           Eagle headed to the West

           silently descends

            in a swift dip…

             She knows it’s time to go home.

             Do I?

             First drop falls

             Followed by the constant clip-clops

           Everything is blurry..

         Everything is dark…

      Do I know if it’s time to go yet?

   Maybe yes..

Maybe no…

“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” – Cicero.

19 August 2025, Tuesday 

A bee was buzzing near my ear as I left the 8 Point Art Cafe. “Have you seen Anthony and Kate’s Bridgerton season?” I wanted to ask. “You gave the poor guy trauma for life. Now off you go.”

Remember how two old buildings came to mind when my dad warned me about the strong winds? It was finally time to meet them.

British Residency

British Residency, Kollam.

“The British Residency, or Residency Bungalow, is a two-storeyed palace situated at Asramam, Kollam. It is part of the Asramam Picnic Village and lies close to the Asramam Maidan.

During the British Raj, the building served as the British Residency. It was built during the Travancore era, between 1811 and 1819, by Gowri Parvati Bayi when Colonel John Munro was the British Resident. It’s an important historical landmark in Kollam. Its architecture is a blend of European, Indian, and Tuscan styles.” 

Based on my experience with forgotten historical landmarks so far, I was half-sure that the place would be closed or neglected. Still, I wanted to give it a try as I had read a lot of tiny, but exciting details about this place from various sources – like the presence of an Edward Rose Garden, the antechamber in the conference hall that has a small adjustable partition-like door, the extensive wooden flooring in the upper storey, and the antique prints in polished wooden frames adorning the walls of the palace. 

So, naturally, I felt disappointed when I found out that the building was closed. I double-checked, but there was no way to enter the building or explore it in detail. 

I know I’m just shouting to the void here. But I hope the government will restore and reopen these historical places to the public, and allocate sufficient funds for their future upkeep. I also hope that history enthusiasts in Kollam would form a club and take charge of the popularisation of such projects. If any history clubs are actively involved in this project, I would love to contribute in any way that I can.

Since I couldn’t enter the British Residency building, I walked around it and found a tranquil spot with a huge banyan tree and another area overgrown with vines with loads of wild, pink flowers. Both were just vacant spaces where people parked their big tempos or cars. But I thought both the spots looked dreamy. One gave a sacred grove vibe, while the other looked like a spot straight out of a princess’s garden. 

Banyan trees & their sacred grove aura.

Stray Dogs & Supreme Court Order

As I walked back, I noticed plastic bags full of food waste and garbage dumped on both sides of the road. These dumping areas have become the feeding and breeding grounds for stray dogs.

On August 11, there was a controversial order by a Division Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala directing Delhi NCR authorities to round up or catch stray dogs from the capital’s streets and detain them in shelters within six to eight weeks, never to be let out in public spaces again. But since then, there was an outpour of protests and marches by dog lovers and animal activists in Delhi, following which the Supreme Court intervened in the matter, stayed the order, and has called for a more compassionate approach. An alternate approach where stray dogs are captured, neutered, and then released into the public is being considered. 

Feeding stray dogs on time and neutering them can reduce their aggression. But I feel we must also work on the larger factors at play. The unscientific disposal of food and garbage on the roadside needs to be stopped. Such spots aren’t just breeding grounds for dogs, but also for disease-causing pests, insects, and microbes.

Long Walk to Chinnakada

After clicking some pics of the British Residency, I decided to leave the Asramam area and go to Chinnakada, since the next spot on my list was located there. Google Maps showed me it was a 23-minute walk, approximately 1.7 kilometers. I decided to walk slowly to the Asramam Maidan road first and then figure out the rest of the path from there. The time was  3.20 pm. 

On the way, I heard a cuckoo cooing and a dog barking back at it. Sorry, but it won’t work out. You guys are incompatible. I commented mentally. It reminded me of the popular trope: “A fish and a bird may fall in love, but where would they live?”  Close to the shore, I guess.

I also saw a black dog with sharp and erect ears staring at me. It had a half-wolf, half-jackal feel. Sirius, is that you? I didn’t dare to ask.

Just as I was passing by the closed and fenced butterfly park, I met a few butterflies on the roadside. Did you sneak out of the park? I chuckled. As if fenced parks would keep butterflies in, or cages the birds. Wings always crave the sky and its freedom.

Soon, I reached the Asramam road. I could see the Maidan from there. If I took a right, I could reach the Kollam KSRTC stand or the nearby private bus stop just as I did on my Children’s Park trip day, and take a bus to Chinnakada.

But there’s another alternative route straight to Chinnakada. I opened my umbrella as it was still burning hot and ventured to walk that route.

I crossed the road and walked straight, following the Google Maps directions.

Honestly, there was a nagging thought in my mind at that point. What am I trying to achieve with this endeavor? What am I trying to change?

The sight of discarded garbage bags on the roadside had brought down my spirits. How careless and thoughtless one had to be to do that? As taxpayers, we tend to blame the government for everything. But are we really doing our part?

I reached near the turning where the Asramam Sreemuneeshwara Swami Kshethra Trust was located. I asked a passerby if there were straight buses to Chinakkada from there. He told me there are no buses on that route. I wondered why. 

So I kept walking, one slow step after another, one long sigh after another.  It’s not really the physical strain that weighs us down on journeys like this; it’s the weight of our negative thoughts, like – what’s really the point?

Soon, I reached Shankar Nagar. I could see the nameboard of Pulimootil Silks at a distance. I smiled in delight. I knew I would reach the roundabout at Chinnakada in a minute or two. 

Soon, I saw the Shankar statue. It portrays R Shankar, the third chief minister of Kerala, who was born in Kollam. I have seen another statue of him near the SN College, Kollam.

Chinnakada Clocktower

Chinnakada Clocktower, Kollam.

Kollam Chinnakada roundabout and the nearby Clocktower are key landmarks in Kollam. As a local, I’ve seen this one too many times. Based on the occasion, the sight of this place brings different emotions to my mind.

When I return to Kollam after a long while, say from my work location or after a trip, seeing Chinnakada roundabout and the nearby shops gives me a sense of home and warmth. But when I have been stuck in Kollam for too long, this sight gives me a foreboding, irrational fear that I’m doomed to spend the rest of my life in this town, living the exact same life for years, almost like getting caught in a time loop. That fear has been beneficial for me because often it gives me that much-needed ‘Escape Velocity’ to leave my comfort zone and take some new risks and go on new adventures.

I walked through the pavement at the side. In the middle of the Chinnakada roundabout, you can see the V Samabasivan square with a lot of beautiful paintings on the nearby walls depicting social awareness messages like ‘Say no to drugs.’ The square is named after the famous Kathaprasangam(Storytelling) artist from Thekkumbagam.

Search for Cheenakottaram 

Since Google Maps showed that the next spot on my itinerary, Cheenakottaram, was situated somewhere near the Chinnakada clock tower and the left turn towards the premises of Kollam Railway station, I walked to and fro through that same path, but I couldn’t figure out the location.

In the end, I surrendered and asked for directions to an Auto Appooppan(grandpa). He was a thin man with many grey hairs in his beard, and a few front teeth missing. The orangish stains on his teeth made me guess he had a habit of chewing either pan masala or the herbal vetilla (betel leaf). 

He told me to check inside the premises of Kollam Railway Station, as Cheenakottaram is currently under the ownership of Indian Railways. When he asked me why I’m looking for such an odd place, I told him simply, “njn sthalam kaanan vannatha” (I came to see the places), and he seemed delighted. He gave me a cute toothless smile. I thanked him and decided to try my luck again.

I came near the railway premises again, but still lingered outside hesitantly. So I talked to another auto chetan. He was chubby and had that cute chubby baby smile. He told me to enter the railway premises and pointed out a red building inside its compound. I thanked him, and he was so happy.

Despite the common belief that people are inherently selfish, have you ever noticed that some people are simply so happy to help others, and the smallest things, like a thank you, make them light up with a smile? That’s what I felt after interacting with these two auto chetanmar(brothers). 

True, we need a lot of money to survive in this inflation and recession-prone society. But some people need so little to be happy because their hearts are already kind, content, and receptive to even the tiniest, beautiful things in this world. 

I entered the railway premises and went up to the entrance of the Cheenakottaram building. But a signboard mentioning that it was a restricted area stopped me in my tracks. I did consider sneaking a little inside to get a clear view and a snap, but the signboard, along with a few workers at a distance, scared me. 

As I was tired from my very long walk, I was not in the mood for a chase and run at that point.  So, I chose not to trespass and cause any disturbance for them. But on my way home, as I stood inside the bus, I realized that if I had climbed that overbridge at Chinnakada, the one that Kottiyam and Trivandrum bound-buses take, maybe I could have caught a better view of Cheenakottaram. 

A glimpse of the red-ochre brick walls of Cheenakottaram, Kollam.

I tested this theory on one of my bus rides through the bridge in the first week of September. Since I was able to catch a quick glimpse of the building, later, on September 9, I walked over the bridge and took a closer look at the Cheenakottaram.

Cheenakottaram 

A closer view of Cheenakottaram, Kollam.

“Cheenakottaram or China Palace is a rest house that was constructed in 1904 for Sri Mulam Tirunal Rama Varma, the then-King of Travancore. The palace was completed along with the commissioning of the Quilon-Madras rail line. 

Though it looks multi-storied, in reality, it is a single-storied, red ochre brick building with seven ornate rooms and Gothic-style arches. The architecture of Cheenakottaram is Indo-Saracenic—generally a blend of Indian architecture, European, Islamic, and Moorish architecture. Cheenakottaram is yet to get the ‘National Heritage Monument’ accreditation. All renovation plans of the building were stalled, citing a scarcity of funds.”

Did you know? “ The place got its name since it used red ochre bricks for the construction, similar to the style of traditional Chinese houses. Beyond that, the palace has no links with China.” 

As an Indian Express article rightly reported, the building is covered with overgrown vines and weeds, and is a sad sight to any History enthusiast. 

Sure, Kollam needs more funds and governmental help to restore heritage sights like the British Residency and Cheenkottaram. But we also need veterans and younger generation history enthusiasts to come together and hold the government accountable for causes like this. Where do we start?

8 Point Art Cafe: Art Gallery and Cafeteria.

August 19, 2025, Tuesday

After exploring the Adventure Park, I retraced my path back to the Eight Point Art Cafe. It’s an art gallery and cafe nestled in the heart of Asramam, Kollam. 

I’ve been to the cafe before, mostly with my cousin brother. He loved the wraps served in the cafe, and I’m a die-hard fan of shakes of all kinds. But it was my first time visiting the art gallery.

I was so excited because

Eight Point Art Cafe is Kollam’s first art gallery. I had heard rave reviews about the place. Some sources even mentioned that the art cafe has international standards.Famous muralist and art director Shenley renovated the heritage building, “Parambarya,” in Asramam Picnic Village, to set up this art cafe in 2015.  [Asramam Picnic Village belongs to Kollam DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) and also includes the recent spots I visited – Kollam Children’s Park and the Adventure Park.]The heritage building, Parambarya, was converted into 8 Point Art Cafe.

As I walked into the art cafe, I noticed that the nameboard looked a bit rustier than the last time. But the ambience felt the same. Traditional white building with its brown-tiled roof, green trees and bushes, flowery plants, granite-headed tables, and benches painted green.

My eyes sparkled in delight as I saw the small, free library on the premises. It’s a wooden bookshelf with about fifty books. Anybody can take a book for free by donating another book.

The cafe with its friendly staff and delicious aroma looked as inviting as ever. I ordered a watermelon juice. As my order was getting prepared, I chatted with the guy at the counter.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that there’s no fee to enter the gallery or to click photographs now. Honestly, the only factor that deterred me from visiting the gallery before was the photography fees. A few years back, when my cousin brother tried to conduct his “Save the date” photoshoot in this cafe, the fee for still photography was Rs 1000. 

One of the paintings exhibited at the 8 Point Art Cafe.

Before I could thank the heavens for the recent changes, the guy warned me: “Chechi(sister), the gallery is not as well-maintained as before. Only one room has paintings now. People just hang out or work there now, that’s all.”

The smile vanished from my lips. First, the Police Museum, then the multiple small parks in Asramam like the Butterfly Park, Kala Koumudhi Park, and Thangal Musaliyar Park, and now the Eight Point Art Cafe… why were all these buildings either closed or in a neglected state?

All these years, leading a sedentary life inside my home, I was thinking of my country’s state in black-and-white terms. I thought… Perhaps the Government is not initiating good ventures and schemes. Perhaps the people are not taking good care of the infrastructure or are underutilizing the schemes.  Thanks to my short trips, I realised the truth is more nuanced.

At least in some places, politicians are starting a lot of good initiatives. I’m not going to comment on whether the politicians are using the “entire allocated funds” for the specific project or redirecting them for other purposes, as I don’t have firsthand knowledge on the matter. Corruption and inefficient utilization of government funds are a sad reality in India.

However, it bothers me more that once well-established projects are also losing their value due to the lack of timely maintenance, and locals like me are not even holding the officials accountable or initiating changes by ourselves.

On another trip, as a government employee informed us travellers about a new government venture, I recall a grandpa asking – “Ethra naal?” meaning “how long (will it last)?” I understand his sarcasm now. Once the inauguration and photo ops are over,  and the buzz dies down, won’t they fade into obscurity, too?

Garden near the meeting area.

Anyway, I parked my negativism for another day and walked around the gallery, clicking photos of the building, the trees, and the garden. I particularly liked the cool, green vibes of the meeting area. But I couldn’t linger there for long, as a team was conducting a work meeting there. A few others worked remotely from the verandah of the gallery, too. 

Did you know? Eight Point Art Cafe was named after the eight creeks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The name also symbolizes the eight forms of art present in the cafe and the eight-point brush that painters use regularly. 

I entered the art gallery, more sceptical than before. Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” was playing in the background – “I found a girl, beautiful and sweet.” 

True to his word (the cafe guy’s word), the walls of the central rooms of the gallery were empty. Where did the paintings go? I wondered.

Blank walls of Eight Point Art Cafe.

The spectator is here

The walls are ready

The lights are on

But the art is gone.

But as I explored the inner rooms, my lips blossomed into a smile again. The hallway-like area had a window that opened up to a small garden and a well. This area also had a few paintings on the walls, a closed, green door, and a beautifully carved wooden bench. 

There were many vintage-looking wooden furniture in other rooms too. Sadly, many of them had price tags on them and were up for sale. 

My favorite spot at Eight Point Art Cafe.

The hallway opened into a room with shelves and walls stacked with framed photographs, books, paintings, sculptures, and engravings. I ogled at the wooden roof and bamboo lights. And gaped at the paintings that looked like Warli paintings from Maharashtra. That room was my favorite spot in the gallery. 

Again, my head went into a sea of worries. Why were the paintings carelessly stacked one on top of another? Also, many were simply piled on the ground. Kerala is known for its high humidity and frequent rains. If we don’t preserve these paintings well, won’t their quality deteriorate over time? 

Wall paintings and sculptures at 8 Point Art Cafe.

As I bid adieu to the people at the cafe and walked out, Lady Gaga’s Shallow started playing in the background.

“Tell me something, girl

Are you happy in this modern world?

Or do you need more?

Is there something else you’re searchin’ for?

I’m falling

In all the good times, I find myself longin’ for change

And in the bad times, I fear myself.”

I couldn’t have described my state of mind better. The song perfectly captured my thoughts and feelings at that moment. Why are we all too caught up, pursuing the superficial aspects of life like money, power, success, and fame, while its real and profound parts gather dust and fade into oblivion in dark rooms? 

Author’s Notes

~ All content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

~ How to Reach Eight Point Art Cafe?

Location: Asramam in Kollam, Kerala, India.

From the Kollam KSRTC Stand, Eight Point Art Cafe is situated at a walkable distance of approximately 1.4 km, or you can take an auto.From Kollam Railway Station, board a bus to Chinnakada Private Stand. Then board an Asramam or Ilamballoor-bound private bus and get down at the Asramam Maidan stop. From there, you can either walk the approximate 900 meters to the Eight Point Art Cafe or take an auto. 

~ Unique Features of Eight Point Art Cafe

Art GalleryCafeHangout SpotA small Free Library with fifty booksFacility to work remotely and conduct meetings

Adventure Park, Kollam.

 August 19, 2025, Tuesday

Preparations

It was a windy day, so my father warned me not to visit any old buildings. I chuckled nervously as I had not one but two old buildings on my day’s list.

I had just had kappa meen (boiled tapioca and fish curry) for lunch, so I was feeling so lazy. But I can only spare the afternoon and early evening hours on certain days for travel now. So I told myself to snap out of my tiredness, as India won’t come to my doorstep. I must go to her nook and cranny to truly see her.

I know it’s a privilege to have the time, space, and means to do these trips, even if the pace is slow and the budget too small. So I’m not gonna take this opportunity for granted.

‘Storyteller’ statue at Adventure Park.

The Journey Begins

After lunch, I rested for thirty minutes and left home by 1:30 pm. This time, I packed extra tissue as I now know I’m a messy ice cream eater on sunny days. I also switched from my sandals to my jogging shoes as monsoon showers had eased and my walks were becoming longer and more frequent.

As usual, I took a bus to Asramam and got down at the Maidan stop. I crossed the road to the side of the Adventure Park.

Though I have visited the park twice in the past, I still needed some help to remember the directions. An auto chetan(brother) helped me with that.

Soon, I came across a signboard with directions to the nearby Hockey Stadium, Adventure Park, and 8 Point Art Cafe, all to the left at an approximate distance of 650 metres.

Roadside Glimpses

Victim, a statue at Adventure Park.

I ventured on the side road to the left. There were trees on both sides of the road that gave occasional shade, and then patches of sun again. On the left, I saw an Occupational Health and Research Centre(OHRC).

A dog was scavenging for food in the garbage bags left on the roadside. It stopped as soon as it saw me. I crossed to the other side of the road, but it kept staring at me. “I don’t mind. You carry on. I don’t want a bite.” I wanted to say. 

I came across a fenced butterfly park on the left, but it was closed. It’s the third park in this vicinity that seems functional but remains closed. The other two were Kala Koumudhi Park and Thangal Musaliyar Park. 

Are they undergoing any renovations? How long have they been closed? I wondered. How come the politicians are only interested in inaugurating new ventures and not in their maintenance? As locals, why aren’t we holding them accountable?

I reached the Asramam Guest House Road. Another auto chetan pointed the right path. I saw the Eight Point Art Cafe on the left. But I kept walking forward until I reached the Adventure Park. The trees on the way looked stellar.

How to Reach Adventure Park Kollam by Public Transport?

From the Kollam KSRTC Stand, Adventure Park is situated at a walkable distance of approximately 1.8 km, or you can take an auto.From Kollam Railway Station, board a bus to Chinnakada Private Stand. Then board an Asramam or Ilamballoor-bound private bus and get down at the Asramam Maidan stop. From there, you can either walk the 1.4km to the Adventure Park or you can take an auto. 

Adventure Park Kollam Ticket Rates & Timings 

Entry time – 10 AM – 6 PM

Ticket rates – Adult: ₹24, Children: ₹12, Senior Citizens: ₹12 

Camera charges – Still Camera: ₹59, Video Camera: ₹236

Boating Rates – For a group of ten, ₹59 per head for the small boat and ₹99 for the large boat. 

Things to do in Adventure Park Kollam 

A play area with swings, trampolines, and small man-made ponds. An open-air gymnasium.A roller skating rink.Boating through Ashtamudi Lake to enjoy the trees, especially the mangroves, and the scenic backwaters.

First Impressions

The lady at the counter gave me a ticket for ₹24. I checked the other rates too.  I enquired with the security chetan what facilities were available. I was excited to hear that boating facilities are available for affordable rates. I was also happy to see basic facilities, like a bag & helmet storage counter, and toilets, as soon as I entered the park. 

Inside the park, the first thing that we notice is the long flight of stairs. It reminded me of the time I had come here with my sister and her school friends. My sister had a yellow Kodak camera, and we clicked a lot of pics with it on the stairs. 

The Water Tribes

Boating through Ashtamudi Lake.

I climbed down the stairs and walked straight towards the dock. 

If James Cameron ever opens up the Avatar world to ordinary people like us, I know which nation I’m joining – the Water Tribes. Water always lures me. It’s as if I’m a merperson walking around in human legs, with a constant yearning for the sea. That shot of Lo’ak and Payakan the Tulkun swimming side-by-side lives rent-free in my head. 

However, I was disappointed to learn that I will have to wait at least till 4pm, until more people come in to use the boat services. As one ride in the boat costs Rs 590-990, which varies based on the boat’s size, it’s always better to do it as a team. Otherwise, without more people to chip in, I’ll have to pay the entire amount. 

Trees

Roots, branches, and shade. The ‘Tree’ Statue at Adventure Park.

My favorite thing about any park in Kollam is, of course, the trees. But here it was, the combination of trees with the backdrop of the Ashtamudi Lake. Though I didn’t realise it then, the shores of this park also host mangrove trees. 

Play Area 

A joyful escape! The play area at Adventure Park.

I noticed the roller skating rink was under repair. Years back, my relatives used it for their trial ‘Save the Date’ photoshoot. It was fun, but we could only take a few photos that day as it got dark soon and it rained too. I still remember how we were all forced to take cover under one large dupatta (a shawl) and run to the car with the shooting props.

Two distinct features of this play area are the open-air gymnasium and the ten Monsoon sculptures. The open-air gym made me feel – “That’s so cool! So, such things are not just present in Korean movies but in my locality too.” The play area also has swings, trampolines, and small man-made ponds. 

The Monsoon Sculptures 

As calm as Buddha! The ‘Buddha 99’ statue at Adventure Park.

What do I say about the ten Monsoon Sculptures at the Adventure Park? Just like the Asramam Maidan Sculptures, the sculptures here were intriguing and thought-provoking too. Now that I look back, I feel I should have spent more time staring at the statues, trying to decode them. Maybe you and I can do this together here. 

According to Wikipedia, the ten Monsoon sculptures at Adventure Park are  Aryanad Rajendran’s Meditation, V. Satheesan’s Story Teller, Sivan’s Bundle of slogans, Shenlay’s Do not disturb, Saju Mannathur’s She, Guruprasad’s Love without heart and brain, Chavara Vijayan’s Buddha 99, and Biju Bharatan’s Victim. 

People

Where stillness takes form. Meditation Statue at Adventure Park.

Other than these unique features, the sights in the park were familiar ones. As usual, stray dogs roamed here and there; a few were howling and fighting at a distance. The park is a safe haven for couples. Many families and friend gangs also visited the park. I love it when elders enjoy places like this. I was also happy to see young girls, probably college students, enjoying the swings on their own. 

After walking around the park, exploring the facilities, staring at the statues, and enjoying the view of the Ashtamudi Lake, I sat on one of the benches, observing all the people in the park. The staff, in their uniform, were cleaning the premises, people laughing and talking, crows cawing in the trees, a few workers drilling something at the boat deck, the flowery plants, and the clean sandy ground that still bore the marks of the broom that cleaned it.

Return Journey 

By 2:45 pm, I left the park. The 30-minute boat ride through the Ashtamudi Lake was tempting. But I didn’t want to wait till 4 in the evening for that. So I walked to the next spot on my list. 

Love without heart and brain, a statue at Adventure Park.

Solo-travelling Vs Guided Groups

The missed boating opportunity made me mentally compare the benefits of solo travel and group tours.

I love solo travelling because 

I prefer offbeat locations over crowded, touristy places.I like traveling at a slow pace. I also enjoy planning and budgeting my trips a lot. 

But group tours have a lot of merits. Of course, the obvious reasons: 

We create more memories when we visit a place with our gang of friends. We will be safer as a group as we can look out for each other. We can split the bills, so it’s more economical.We can help each other take a lot of cool photos. 

No wonder humans are social animals.

I mused about how I can address these issues while travelling solo. Since I travel alone, creating memories and staying safe and happy throughout my trips are my responsibility. Nobody else can help me with that. But equipping myself with a selfie stick can help me take better, wide-angle photos. 

Then what about the budget constraints? Whether it’s a trek through a forest or a boat ride through a lake, it’s always cheaper if you split the rates with a team. One solution is to sign up for guided group tours, where strangers travel together. I’ve done it in the past and enjoyed it.

Or, maybe I should just pull out the contacts of all my old travel buddies and ask them if they’re in for a trip. That way, we can create some crazy, new memories, too. Let me see. 

Author’s Notes

~ All content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

Adventure Park, Kollam.

Before I dive into the details of my Adventure Park trip, let me share a few thoughts and changes I’ve experienced through my recent journeys.

Reflections

For some people, travel isn’t just for leisure; it’s also deeply therapeutic, spiritual, and educational. Every day we travel, even if it’s just our daily commute to work, there’s some scope to learn something new, and to unlearn a thing or two that are holding us back. We simply need to be keen and open enough to notice these lessons and integrate them into our daily lives.

Most of the time, these changes or lessons are not groundbreaking. At least in my case, they’re often small, like remembering to pack extra tissues for my next trip, because now I know, on sunny days, I’m a messy ice cream eater. Or switching from sandals to my jogging shoes, as monsoon showers are easing, and my walks are becoming longer and more frequent. 

Since I’m intentionally travelling slowly this year, to cherish each memory and to learn something new from every journey, I’m grateful for these infinitesimally small, daily improvements. I sincerely hope these trips will change me for the better. 

My favorite change so far has been the evolving relationship between me and stray dogs. 

Co-existing

You probably already know how intimidated and scared I feel around stray animals. Though I find them adorable, what scares me is the element of uncertainty. 

Are they in a good mood? Will they growl, bite, or attack me without any provocation? (I bet the stray dogs see me as a stray human wandering on the streets, too. Will she hurt us? Will she hurl stones at us? They might be worrying too.) 

But things have changed for the better. Since I go for long walks at least once or twice every week, I’ve been spending more time with the strays. Recently, at Children’s Park, a stray dog and I even shared a quiet moment. 

I was photographing a few potted flowery plants in the park, and he was resting on the sand nearby. We looked at each other. The classic sad dog meme scenario: 

Sad Dog Meme. Source & Credits: Tenor.

Me: “Shall I come closer and pet you?”

Doggo: “Are you safe to love, or will you also hurt me?”

In the end, we just looked at each other. He posed, and I clicked a few pics. In an alternate universe where I’m not scared and anxious all the time, I would’ve stepped closer, scratched his ears, and asked him to be my pet. He would’ve woofed and wagged his tail happily, and I would’ve taken him home. We might even have become like Tintin and Snowy forever. You never know. Someday. 

August 19, 2025, Tuesday

Preparations

‘Storyteller’ statue at Adventure Park.

It was a windy day, so my father warned me not to visit any old buildings. I chuckled as I had not one but two old buildings on my day’s list.

I had just had kappa meen (boiled tapioca and fish curry) for lunch. So I was feeling so lazy. But I can only spare the afternoon and early evening hours on certain days for travel now. So I told myself to snap out of my tiredness, as India won’t come to my doorstep. I must go on to her nook and cranny to truly see her.

I know it’s a privilege to have the time, space, and means to do these trips, even if the pace is slow and the budget too small. So I’m not gonna take this opportunity for granted.

The Journey Begins

After lunch, I rested for thirty minutes and left home by 1:30 pm. As usual, I took a bus to Asramam and got down at the Maidan stop. I crossed the road to the side of the Adventure Park.

Though I have visited the park twice in the past, I still needed some help to remember the directions. An auto chetan(brother) helped me with that.

Soon, I came across a signboard with directions to the nearby Hockey Stadium, Adventure Park, and 8 Point Art Cafe, all to the left at an approximate distance of 650 metres.

Roadside Glimpses

Victim, a statue at Adventure Park.

I ventured on the side road to the left. There were trees on both sides of the road that gave occasional shade, and then patches of sun again. On the left, I saw an Occupational Health and Research Centre(OHRC).

A dog was scavenging for food in the garbage bags left on the roadside. It stopped as soon as it saw me. I crossed to the other side of the road, but it kept staring at me. “I don’t mind. You carry on. I don’t want a bite.” I wanted to say. 

I came across a fenced butterfly park on the left, but it was closed. It’s the third park in this vicinity that seems functional but remains closed. The other two were Kala Koumudhi Park and Thangal Musaliyar Park. 

Are they undergoing any renovations? How long have they been closed? I wondered. How come the politicians are only interested in inaugurating new ventures and not in their maintenance? As locals, why aren’t we holding them accountable?

I reached the Asramam Guest House Road. Another auto chetan pointed the right path. I saw the Eight Point Art Cafe on the left. But I kept walking forward until I reached the Adventure Park. The trees on the way looked stellar.

How to Reach Adventure Park Kollam by Public Transport?

From the Kollam KSRTC Stand, Adventure Park is situated at a walkable distance of approximately 1.8 km, or you can take an auto.From Kollam Railway Station, board a bus to Chinnakada Private Stand. Then board an Asramam or Ilamballoor-bound private bus and get down at the Asramam Maidan stop. From there, you can either walk the 1.4km to the Adventure Park or you can take an auto. 

Adventure Park Kollam Ticket Rates & Timings 

Entry time – 10 AM – 6 PM

Ticket rates – Adult: ₹24, Children: ₹12, Senior Citizens: ₹12 

Camera charges – Still Camera: ₹59, Video Camera: ₹236

Boating Rates – For a group of ten, ₹59 per head for the small boat and ₹99 for the large boat. 

Things to do in Adventure Park Kollam 

A play area with swings, trampolines, and small man-made ponds. An open-air gymnasium.A roller skating rink.Boating through Ashtamudi Lake to enjoy the trees, especially the mangroves, and the scenic backwaters.

First Impressions

The lady at the counter gave me a ticket for ₹24. I checked the other rates too.  I enquired with the security chetan what facilities were available. I was excited to hear that boating facilities are available for affordable rates. I was also happy to see basic facilities, like a bag & helmet storage counter, and toilets, as soon as I entered the park. 

Inside the park, the first thing that we notice is the long flight of stairs. It reminded me of the time I had come here with my sister and her school friends. My sister had a yellow Kodak camera, and we clicked a lot of pics with it on the stairs. 

The Water Tribes

Boating through Ashtamudi Lake.

I climbed down the stairs and walked straight towards the dock. 

If James Cameron ever opens up the Avatar world to ordinary people like us, I know which nation I’m joining – the Water Tribes. Water always lures me. It’s as if I’m a merperson walking around in human legs, with a constant yearning for the sea. That shot of Lo’ak and Payakan the Tulkun swimming side-by-side lives rent-free in my head. 

However, I was disappointed to learn that I will have to wait till more people come in to use the boat services. As one ride in the boat costs Rs 590-990, which varies based on the boat’s size, it’s always better to do it as a team. Otherwise, without more people to chip in, I’ll have to pay the entire amount. 

Trees

Roots, branches, and shade. The ‘Tree’ Statue at Adventure Park.

My favorite thing about any park in Kollam is, of course, the trees. But here it was, the combination of trees with the backdrop of the Ashtamudi Lake. Though I didn’t realise it then, the shores of this park also host mangrove trees. 

Play Area 

A joyful escape! The play area at Adventure Park.

I noticed the roller skating rink was under repair. Years back, my relatives used it for their trial ‘Save the Date’ photoshoot. It was fun, but we could click only a few photos that day as it got dark soon, and it rained too. I still remember how all of us were forced to take cover under one large dupatta(a shawl) and run to the car with the shooting props.

Two distinct features of this play area are the open-air gymnasium and the ten Monsoon sculptures. The open-air gym made me feel – “That’s so cool! So, such things are not just present in Korean movies but in my locality too.”

The Monsoon Sculptures 

As calm as Buddha! The ‘Buddha 99’ statue at Adventure Park.

What do I say about the ten Monsoon Sculptures at the Adventure Park? Just like the Asramam Maidan Sculptures, the sculptures here were intriguing and thought-provoking too. Now that I look back, I feel I should have spent more time staring at the statues, trying to decode them. Maybe you and I can do this together here. 

According to Wikipedia, the ten Monsoon sculptures at Adventure Park are  Aryanad Rajendran’s Meditation, V. Satheesan’s Story Teller, Sivan’s Bundle of slogans, Shenlay’s Do not disturb, Saju Mannathur’s She, Guruprasad’s Love without heart and brain, Chavara Vijayan’s Buddha 99, and Biju Bharatan’s Victim. 

People

Where stillness takes form. Meditation Statue at Adventure Park.

Other than these unique features, the sights in the park were familiar ones. As usual, stray dogs roamed here and there; a few were howling and fighting at a distance. The park is a safe haven for couples. Many families and friend gangs also visited the park. I love it when elders enjoy places like this. I was also happy to see young girls, probably college students, enjoying the swings on their own. 

After walking around the park, exploring the facilities, staring at the statues, and enjoying the view of the Ashtamudi Lake, I sat on one of the benches, observing all the people in the park. The staff, in their uniform, were cleaning the premises; people laughing and talking; crows cawing in the trees; a few workers drilling at the boat deck; the flowery plants and the clean sandy ground still bearing the marks of the broom that cleaned it.

Return Journey 

By 2:45 pm, I left the park. The 30-minute boat ride through the Ashtamudi Lake was tempting. But I didn’t want to wait till 4 in the evening for that. So I walked to the next spot on my list. 

Love without heart and brain, a statue at Adventure Park.

Solo-travelling Vs Guided Groups

On my way, I mentally compared solo travel and group tours.

I love solo travelling because 

I prefer offbeat locations over crowded, touristy places.I like traveling at a slow pace. I also enjoy planning and budgeting my trips a lot. 

But group tours have a lot of merits. Of course, the obvious reasons: 

We create more memories when we visit a place with our gang of friends. We can help each other take a lot of cool photos. We can split the bills, so it’s more economical.We will be safer as a group as we can look out for each other. 

No wonder humans are social animals.

I mused about how I can address these areas while travelling solo. Since I travel alone, creating memories and staying happy throughout my trips is my responsibility. Nobody else can help me with that. But equipping myself with a selfie stick can help me take better, wide-angle photos. 

But what about the safety and budget constraints? Whether it’s a trek through a forest or a boat ride through a lake, it’s always cheaper if you split the rates with a team. One solution is to sign up for guided group tours, where strangers travel together. I’ve done it in the past and enjoyed it. Or, maybe I should just pull out the contacts of all my old travel buddies and ask them if they’re in for a trip. Let me see. 

Author’s Notes

~ All content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

A Little Slice of Happiness – Children’s Park, Kollam.

9 August 2025, Saturday.  

After visiting the Asramam Maidan, despite my tiredness and laziness, I somehow trudged along to my next destination – Kollam Children’s Park. I remember seeing the District Ayurveda Hospital on the way. 

Within ten minutes, I arrived at the entrance of the Children’s Park, where I spoke with the lady at the ticket counter about the facilities available. She explained everything patiently and gave me a ticket in exchange for ₹ 24.

Ticket Rates & Timings 

Entry time – 10 AM – 9 PM

Ticket rates – Adult: ₹24, Children: ₹12, Senior Citizens: ₹12 

Camera charges – Still Camera: ₹59, Video Camera: ₹236

Recreational Facilities For Kids:

Swings, slides, trampolines, merry-go-rounds, and a frog ride. 

Ice cream stalls are also available.

A Small Pond

It was my first time at the park. I have an affinity for water bodies, so I was instantly drawn to the small pond near the entrance. I stood there for some time, just soaking in the sight: the green water of the pond, its blue cemented rim, the reflections of the trees nearby, the fallen dry leaves. 

I realized there was an empty bench under the shade of a mango tree. And right next to that, a grove of stellar bamboos. I removed my sandals and sat on the bench, cross-legged like a yoga instructor. In Malayalam, we refer to this as “chamram padanju irikkukka.” 

Dagx

I saw an Indian pariah dog trotting to the pond and taking a sip from it. I know the breed name because my dad had one as his pet. 

His name was Dagx. We got him as a pup from my cousin when I was studying in my first year of college. Dagx was only as big as my shoe then and had a special liking for it. In fact, he made it a habit to curl up on my striped-green canvas shoe for his afternoon naps. 

During his first few years, I was always away at college, so every time I returned home for vacations, he used to bark at me and keep me at bay, as if I were a thief. 

He was closest to my dad. Pariah dogs are really healthy, strong, and friendly in general, but Dagx suffered from epilepsy, possibly due to genetic reasons. He died a year ago. 

A Water Hole Dream 

A Small Pond in Reality, a Wild Waterhole in My Imagination.

Soon after, the brown dog left, and a white dog came to the pond next. This one soaked in the water for some time before taking a sip. I reckoned the pond must be a big relief for the dogs, especially on sunny days. 

Though I only had a mobile phone in my hand, I felt like a wildlife photographer: holding my own DSLR camera, standing near a water hole, hidden behind bushes, waiting for elephants and leopards to arrive. 

Apart from the dogs, there were no other visitors in the pond. So I focused on black ants on the ground and the yellow-orange butterflies in the air. 

It’s a simple park, so there was not much to look forward to. But the greenery around me was gorgeous. The little splashes and dots of purple, yellow, and pink flowers made my day. The fallen dry leaves and yellow flowers on the ground looked more like art than debris. 

Happy Families

Oleander Flowers, Blushing in Pink.

I was starting to feel out of place. But soon a young couple walked into the park with a toddler, and it changed the whole vibe of the place. Instantly, I was filled with hope and happiness. 

I don’t have kids yet; I’ve neither come to this park as a parent nor as a child. So, watching a child experience the park was a beautiful memory for me. 

The way the elders taught the children to ride bicycles, helped them into swings and merry-go-rounds, and introduced them to touch-me-not plants was endearing. Children, on the other hand, squealed happily as they rode bicycles or just ran around chasing the butterflies in the park.

Since there’s a constant influx of negative news about marriages and relationships in the media, every time my family brings up the topic of marriage, I feel so anxious. But, as more and more couples walked into the park, holding their kids, their positive mood started puncturing my negative bias. The world suddenly seemed more beautiful and loving than what the news or social media depicts it to be. Maybe I’m just catastrophizing about relationships, and there’s still hope. 

I was happy to see parents spending quality time with their kids. Sadly, not every child gets to experience such carefree moments in their childhood. Some spend their entire childhood in war-prone countries or toxic families, carrying that trauma for the rest of their lives. I wish all children could grow up in happy and peaceful atmospheres. 

Butterscotch Ice Cream

By 4, the sun became more bearable. So, I reminded myself to stop brooding and walk around the park, exploring the available facilities, and clicking photos. In between, I saw a Lazza ice cream stall in the premises and bought a cone of butterscotch ice cream. Then I settled under a big tree, next to two young moms who were waiting for their lads. 

Because of the hot weather, my ice cream melted quickly, making me wish I had brought more tissue paper from home.  The moms smiled at me. Maybe I’m as clumsy as their kids. 

A Fall 

A Sanctuary of Bamboos.

Just then, a kid fell from his bicycle right in front of me. I rushed over, but by the time I got there, both moms were already by his side, helping him. The child stood up and wanted to ride right away. But his mother told him to stop for a second, take a deep breath, calm down, and then ride again. I liked the calm tone of her voice and felt her advice applied to my life as well. 

Facilities

Sliding Back into our Childhood Again.

The liveliest part of the park was the cycle rental counter. The roads in the park, the fake petrol pump, and traffic lights gave the kids a sense of riding on an actual road. Some even stopped at the fake petrol pump to “refuel” their cycles. 

I liked how the parents were putting effort into teaching kids this basic skill early on. One even rode alongside the kid, advising, “Take it slow. Balance. No need to panic.” 

There was also a nameboard and directions to a swimming pool, but it was not functional. There was an open-air auditorium, which was in good shape but could use a fresh coat of paint. 

The swings, slides, trampolines, merry-go-round, and frog ride were always active. Kids were queuing up to use them. But the break dance ride, the helicopter-shaped ride, and the train on the rails were not working. 

I loved how even teenagers and grown-ups were using the swings and occasionally riding the bicycles. I could see the joy on their faces as they revisited their childhood days in their hearts and thoughts. I love people who still hold onto their child-like joy, innocence, and wonder towards life.

Ambience

Merry-go-round or a One-way Ticket to My Fantasy Land?

The best thing about the park was definitely the trees. I was happy to spot even banyan trees on the premises. There were many well-maintained flowery bushes and potted plants, too. I particularly liked the tree near the auditorium, but I don’t know its name. 

The pink oleander flowers (arali pookkal) and a small pond covered with water lily plants, but no flowers caught my attention. I wished they were in bloom as I love water plants. But the bougainvillea blossoms at the entrance more than made up for it.  

Apart from the laughter and happy squeals of children, the only other sounds were the thud-thuds of the rides and the sound of the generator. 

Scope for Improvement 

All the World’s a Stage, and All the Men and Women Merely Players. ~ Shakespeare.

While the park has its nostalgic charm, I wish the government and the staff would put more effort into maintaining it, especially by trimming the overgrown grass and repairing the rides on time.  Though I was curious to see the trees with nameboards and statues at the corners, I didn’t dare go near them as those areas were overgrown with weeds. 

I also noticed that many buildings were under construction or left half-finished. Some, like the Amul building, were fully constructed but not in use. I hope the government allocates the necessary funds, follows up, and completes these constructions and the repair works. 

Leaving 

Sacred Grove Vibes, Just a Neglected Corner in Reality.

Before leaving the place, I stood near the pond again, looking for fish or tadpoles. But there were none. Parents had to lure the kids with ice cream to make them leave the park. Watching the joy on the faces of the kids as they walked into the park with their parents was infectious. Their enthusiasm would make even a cynic optimistic about life. 

By 5:15 pm, I walked outside the park. Since it was a Saturday evening, the city was slowly coming alive for the weekend frenzy. I could see the signboard for the Eight Point Art Cafe. This time, I let my laziness win. I was going home. 

On the way, I saw Kala Koumudi Park and Thangal Musaliyar Park. They were closed and didn’t seem functional. I wondered what happened to them. 

Ashtamudi Lake

I kept walking and soon reached the Asramam Maidan road. I took the turn to the right, leading towards the Kollam KSRTC Bus Stand on the left. Before that, I came across a small market area on the left and the Ashtamudi Lake on the right. 

At a distance, the lake and the skyline above it looked majestic. But when you walked by its shore, you couldn’t ignore how badly the lake was polluted with plastics and reeking of waste. 

On the radio, I had heard that the government is starting many campaigns to save the Ashtamudi Lake. But without proper planning, social awareness, and an attempt to build better civic sense among the locals, including me, I’m afraid the campaign will be fruitless.  

A Double-Decker Boat 

Many houseboats were anchored on the lake, and even had tourists. One particular boat caught my attention. It was a double-decker named – See Ashtamudi. I enquired about it to the chetan(brother) at the nearby tea shop and jotted down the contact number and details on my phone. 

Return Journey 

I could see the shrine of the Lady of Vailankanni on the left. The famous Tuet Church, Alukkas, RP Mall, and Bishop Jerome Nagar are also nearby. But I’ve been to all those places countless times.  

Besides, my legs were aching for some rest, as my digital watch beeped that I had walked 8 kilometers. It’s okay, the first 2 were part of my morning walk.  Anyway, I quickly crossed the road and caught a Chavara bus to my home.

I paid for my ticket and looked around grimly. My legs groaned in relief as I spotted an empty seat and settled down. Ah, the simple joys of life!

Author’s Notes

~ All content, including images, on this blog is the intellectual property of the author. © 2025 Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." data-large-file="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." width="867" height="1300" src="https://liriomarchito.com/wp-content/..." alt="" class="wp-image-3710" style="aspect-ratio:0.666931321953156;width:329px;height:auto" />Photo by travelers_tw on Pexels.com

The seed of humanity was expelled from Nirvana.

It finds solace in a leaf, floating in the dark seas.

Swaying with the wind and the roaring waves,

it seeks shores and gardens, only to be rejected outright.

Closer it gets to a kingdom of hope,

farther it’s thrown to the depths of agony.

Tired and deprived, denied the right to live,

it looks up at the sky for some reason to hold on.

Moon, like a fairy, glimmering in the night sky,

its reflection shining on the unsteady sea waves,

directs the leaf to an unknown land,

an island in the middle of nowhere.

The last tree of humanity was axed and burnt.

Every kingdom now holds a handful of its ashes.

Yet, humanity today thrives in this unclaimed land,

awaiting to be named and blood-stained,

by mankind and their flags.

Author’s Notes:

© 2018. Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.

An old poem.

The poem “Floating Seed” was part of the anthology While I Breathe, I Hope, published by Erasil and Raindrops Publishers in 2018.

Bougainvilleas in Bloom.

9 August 2025, Saturday. 

The start of my long walks in August. In my hometown, Kollam, the rains are less frequent in August compared to June and July, so I plan to cover more places from my India trip itinerary this month. Let’s see how that pans out. Fingers crossed. 

I still have a few more spots to cover in Asramam, Kollam. Although I visited Asramam Maidan in July, I was able to record only a rainy view of the grounds. So I planned to revisit the Maidan, take a quick lap around the walkway, and then walk to the Children’s Park. 

By 2:30 pm, I left my apartment. At the entrance, I noticed that our security guard was having a heated conversation with a stranger. Apparently, the man barged into the elevator without signing the visitor’s record. 

A Sunnier Asramam Maidan

I soon boarded a private bus bound for Ilamballoor(a small locality in Kollam) and got down at Asramam Maidan for a ₹15 ticket. This time, the sky was clear blue, but a lot was happening in the grounds. Drumrolls! The Gemini Circus was in town.

The circus team members and a construction team, mainly migrant labourers from the Northern states of India, were busy with their preparations. Some areas of the ground were even covered with scaffolding. 

I was excited to see balloon sellers and a plant nursery on the premises. I could also hear the loud music blaring through the speakers. The place will be buzzing with people and fun activities within a week.

I couldn’t help but hope: Maybe I will finally get to see a circus show this time. Perhaps my family will join me, too. Despite her health issues, my mom did enjoy the marine aquarium at Asramam Maidan a few years ago. 

The Crowd 

Since it was Saturday, that too a sunny day, the park had more visitors than last time. But due to my odd timing, many of them were taking a quick nap on the benches.  

I walked around the park, people-watching, as I wasn’t interested in clicking pics again this time. Since it wasn’t a rainy day, I had to be wary of the crows. A few dogs barked, chased, and fought each other in the distance. I had avoided animal print tops, just in case. Occasionally, I took alternate routes around the trees or bushes, away from the walkway, to avoid the dogs. 

A bearded, thin uncle sat atop a tree, singing the Malayalam film song “unnikale oru katha parayam.”  He sounded more sad than drunk. Our eyes met for a split second before I pulled away. He seemed surprised when I looked at him. Were his eyes searching for something? Or was it the weight of the pain he carried in his heart silently, without anybody to share?  I don’t know for sure.

Rest

That brief encounter lingered in my mind as I found a bench to rest on. My brother had scared me, saying a group of youngsters who lived close to our apartment, who used to take long walks daily for years, were diagnosed with arthritis at 40. When they heard that my brother and I also enjoy long walks, they advised us to take short breaks along the way. 

As I slumped on the bench, I noticed that a dog was sleeping on the sand nearby. He looked so peaceful and cute. There was a young couple on the opposite bench. The woman seemed lost in her thoughts as the guy slept with his head on her lap. I wondered what was bothering her. 

On my right, a few seniors with gray hair and spectacles were chit-chatting with each other. And on my left, a group of young Tamil guys with big suitcases were scrolling through their mobile phones. One of them was animatedly narrating some incident to the others. I pondered if they were waiting for a train. A lone senior with long white hair and beard, dressed in a saffron kurta like a sage, sitting at a distance, also intrigued me. 

Oh, how I wish to walk up to all the interesting people I see on the streets and ask them what their story is. In a kinder and more open world, that would have been okay. But in this unpredictable world, you never know how they will take it.

Love & Moral Policing 

There’s a stereotype about India that public display of affection(PDA) might lead to moral policing by the crowds. Unfortunately, in certain parts of India, such incidents have happened in the past. 

Sex is still treated as a taboo subject in many parts of India. Many Indian parents still prefer their children to accept arranged marriages instead of dating. And most of us have grown up, watching our parents shying away from public displays of affection. The younger generations, on the other hand, are more open to dating, love marriages, and PDA.

Watching young couples strolling through the Asramam Maidan and engaging in subtle forms of intimacy while sitting next to elders and strangers, without raising even an eyebrow, gave me hope that, at least in my part of the world, things are slowly changing for the better. I hope it will continue improving. 

I wish all couples, not just the heterosexual ones, but also the ones from the LGBTQIA+ community, could experience love without societal constraints and moral policing all across the world.  Love should be our normal, and hate, a taboo in this world!

Online Food Delivery Workers

I watched as a Zomato delivery chetan(brother) parked his bike in the shade of a tree, pulled out a steel tiffin wrapped in a white plastic cover and a bottle of water from his bag, settled on an empty bench, and had his lunch. He looked worn out. 

A Swiggy worker resting in the shade also caught my eye. I tried to imagine what their lives would be like. Are they toiling to support their family, or working part-time to make money for their own education and dreams? 

When we wait for our ordered food parcels, out of hunger and cravings, we can’t help but hope that the delivery workers will reach us at the earliest. But seeing them here at the park, having their home-cooked lunch all alone or resting under the shade of a tree, made me worry about the problems these online delivery workers must be facing. 

Low and unstable incomes, rising fuel charges, long working hours, lack of adequate rest, rude behavior from customers, the fear of cancelled orders, weather challenges, the need to rush, hence the lack of safety while driving, and whatnot. 

Sonder

I told myself not to overthink and to concentrate on the moment, as I don’t have the power to change anything in my country. So like a coward, I tried to drive away my worrisome thoughts. 

After some time, I felt a strange sense of calm as I sat there, watching everyone around me. Though each of us was a stranger and in our own worlds, there was an unspoken camaraderie between us. I had a happy thought that I was safe in their company. 

My whole experience and thought process during this walk reminded me of a word that I had come across in social media recently – sonder. 

Sonder is the profound realization that every passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, filled with their own dreams, worries, routines, and stories you’ll never fully know.

Why does it matter? In literature and philosophy, sonder invites empathy – a reminder that we’re not the main characters of reality, but threads in a vast tapestry of human experience. It asks us to move through life not just with awareness, but with tenderness. Source & credits: cosmosbyrudra

There’s a quote with a similar idea in the popular Malayalam Novel, Aadujeevitham( Goat Days), written by Benyamin:

“നാം അനുഭവിക്കാത്ത ജീവിതങ്ങളെല്ലാം നമുക്ക് വെറും കെട്ടുകഥകള്‍ മാത്രമാണ്.”

Loose translation: “All the lives we have not experienced are nothing but fables to us.”

Racism

Even though I told myself not to overthink, the recent incidents of racial violence that Indians have been facing in foreign countries came to my mind. Not just Indians, but many citizens of Asian, African, and Latin American countries face such problems.  

I wish people wouldn’t be so quick to hate and would pause a second to think about what the other guy might be going through in his life. No one wants to be judged, hated, or bullied. Everyone craves to be understood, loved, and accepted for who they truly are. It’s the 21st century; hate, intolerance, racial discrimination, and violence must have no place in our world. 

Next Spot 

I got up from the bench and started walking towards one end of the walkway. On the way, I saw crows rolling on the ground and pecking each other’s beaks. A pink patrol police car (part of a government initiative in which women police officers patrol public places in these cars to ensure women’s safety) was parked near the Maidan. 

The next spot on my list was the Children’s Park. Google Maps showed that there was a 950-metre walk to the Park. Barely a 13-minute walk. However, the lethargic mood of the people around me was rubbing off on me. For a minute, I felt so lazy that all I wanted was to return home and curl up on my bed. 

But it was just 3:25 pm. I told myself to keep walking. It’s okay if you are too slow, but just keep walking. You have a long way to go in your life. If you stop every time you feel lazy or discouraged, how far will you go? Besides, there are so many more beautiful places and kind people you haven’t met yet.