Kerala at first glance
It only took a few seconds for Kerala to obliterate my expectations. Kerala is one of 29 states in India, but to lump it in as "just another state in India" is to do a disservice to this state and its 33 million residents.
If you had asked me where Kerala was last September, I couldn't have given you an answer. And before arriving, I must admit that I had no idea that "tropical paradise" could be used to describe any part of India. And yet, after being greeted at the airport with flowers and welcome signs, receiving a shell necklace upon check-in at the Turtle on the Beach Resort, and waking up to crashing waves and palm trees outside my window… I’m beginning to question all of my preconceived notions about this place.
I’m three days into the 
The back of the t-shirts we received upon arrival say "Trip of a Lifetime" and that's not an exaggeration at all!
So far, we've been welcomed by some of the most friendly and hospitable people I've ever met with the most over-the-top welcome ceremonies. Just one example: at the WelcomHotel Raviz Ashtamudi in Kollam, we stepped off the bus to the sounds of the chenda drum and two Kathakali (Indian dance-drama) performers.
As we walked into the hotel, we were greeted with cold towels, strings of fresh jasmine draped around our necks, and sandalwood paste on our foreheads as a sign of welcome before receiving a fresh coconut... all while flower petals rained down on us from above. Is this real life?!
We've spent the night sleeping in the most magnificent hotels and stayed on a houseboat as we cruised the backwaters. 
We waved as school boats, public transportation boats and a floating market passed by, noticing that life in the backwaters is a community all to itself.
We learned that 
We've seen the sun rise over rice fields filled with lotuses and watched it set among the palm trees. 
And we've found that it's impossible to be 'not hungry' in Kerala... because the food is so good and everyone you meet is insistent that you taste it. It's also the first actually spicy food I've had in 6 months of traveling... and I LOVE it!
Kerala Tourism is unlike anything I imagined and incomparable to any place I've been so far. I'm so glad we still have 12 days to go!
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I'm so glad to share Kerala with you!
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Love your posts! Looks like you are having a blast! Have fun!!
Thanks so much, Kevin!!
Your posts are an education and I find great joy in "traveling" with you!
Thanks, Marylyn! I'm so glad you're traveling with me too!
Continually amazed at your blossoming?
🙂 Thanks, Joyce! Miss you!
I want to gooooo!!!!
Put it on your list, Rachel!! It has a really neat Christian tradition that says St. Thomas came here in AD52 and planted 7 churches. There's still a strong Christian presence... I had no idea!
It's actually considered as 7 1/2 churches and Kerala also boasts the first Indian mosque in India " Cheraman mosque. Kerala also sports a very secular society with high political awareness and a peculiar economic system. The uniqueness of Kerala is also often noted by economist around the world as " Kerala model development "
U can Google it to find a new perspective about Kerala.
And thank u very much for exploring and sharing about our little paradise to the world.
Rag Joseph, I'm loving learning about the history of this beautiful place and can't wait to visit and learn even more!
Wow Brittany. It looks like you have been having a great time on your adventure. Thank you for posting stuff so we can experience it with you. I am sure there is much more that we haven't seen.
Thanks so much for joining along here, Jason! It's been quite the adventure, for sure, and lots more to come! I miss you and all the students at BTBF.... Please tell everyone hi!
After reading this post, I am also willing to visit Kerala, such a lifeful article !!!!
Kerala is one of the vibrant tourist destinations. They are blessed with many famous tourist destinations. I really like your valuable information. The way of your writing is excellent. Thanks for your great posts.
In God's own country, there are numerous breathtaking and gorgeous landscapes. But there is much more to do besides these when you visit Kerala, which has an incredibly green environment. Kerala provides a wide variety of gastronomic delights, breathtaking beaches, serene backwaters, and massages, among other things. This place has a lot more to offer.