Have you ever experienced Chinese fishing nets in full glory? See and feel a 14th century noise lift net in action? The giant apparatus, possibly brought to the Malabar Coast by Chinese explorer Zheng He, is now getting ready for a memorable twilight dinner.
Gopinath Parayil, responsible tourism pioneer and founder, The Blue Yonder, Curated, Nilawala , A unique dining experience, Pokkali: The Story of Rice, as the conclusion of the one day tour. The experience focuses on climate change, dwindling catches and the precarious conditions of the community that live by the nets.
As travelers become more discerning and aware of the global ecology, tourism stakeholders in Kerala have stepped up their act by offering unique food and drink experiences – breakfast on a hilltop, dinner on a boat Food, in a cave, full moon night dinners – which combine the solemn with the sublime.
by Chinese fishing nets
5.30 pm I’m in Ezhikkara, a small island village, for a twilight dinner at the Nets. Prasad helps me board a country boat moored at a nearby canal. As he strikes relentlessly against the agitated waters, we are in a breathtaking expanse full of Chinese fishing nets.
Bright sunlight, wind and water create a dramatic setting as the boat passes the nets towards the beach in the opposite direction. The mighty Periyar loops the Ezhikkara island, while the Veeranpuzha (river of warriors) that bears the nets links the water bodies. In an hour of punting the sun spins a red ball that sinks into a rapidly rising twilight. Birds – terns, seagulls, cormorants, crows, egrets – begin their journey home as we too go for our dinner amidst the rising darkness and the sound of splashing water.
The first stars appear in the sky above and lights twinkle on distant beaches. The Chinese nets spread far and wide are visible by the glow of the battery lights on them. We slowly approach the deck of our fishing nets, lit by the light of a few candles in glass cases mounted on posts.
Vishnu VV, part of the hosting team, provides cold towels to freshen up and a charming table placed on the deck welcomes us. “We can seat 12,” he says, adding that he has hosted 30 guests so far since launching in January 2023. The meal consists of kappa and prawn curry, followed by mackerel fry, chicken roast and curry, rice, thoran, vegetable curry and papad, all made in Prasad’s home kitchen by his wife. Meals were made when we experienced the water and a freshly cooked dinner arrived on a canoe.
When someone is eating a little drama ensues. As Prasad pulls the ropes from which solid stone weights hang, a 20-odd fishing net rises above the water, like a giant sea creature, holding a jumping silverfish and a clutch of prawns. The small catch is kept in cages for sorting in the morning.
Vishnu says, “Nilavla is made up of three Malayalam words representing moonlight, waves and nets.” We end with Sulaimani Chai, freshly cut fruits and sit back to enjoy a magical evening and night.
As we leave, Prasad helps out with life jackets. Back on land, Anitya, the smiling lady behind the delicious dinner, is happy to know that we love her cooking. Gopi says, “Ezhikkara is facing the effects of climate crisis in the form of increased number of tidal flood days, increase in salinity in fresh water sources, loss of marine and freshwater life including fishes and reduction in employment opportunities is,” and adds that Nilawala is an initiative that repairs dilapidated fishing nets and reuses them to host such dinners.
, the cost of dinner 3000 per person. For Reservation Contact: 8369427434,
County Boat Dinner at Vembanad | Photo Credit: Kayal Island Retreat
Countryboat Table at Kakkathuruthu
“You get up close and personal to nature.” It’s just you and the lake, says Manisha Panikkar, of her “moonlit dinner under a canopy of stars” at her four cottage boutique private island resort Kayal Island on Kakkathuruthu island from Kochi The retreat offers. Depending on the availability and season, the vast Vembanad Lake can be experienced, an evening boat ride with a five course Kerala meal on board.
“The only way to get to the resort is by boats and so everyone has to have a moment,” she says as a table is laid on the boat and dinner is prepared for a couple. Islanders who work at the resort. “We can host four couples on our four boats,” she says, adding that solo dinners can be done on a day’s notice.
(A meal for one costs ₹2800 plus taxes. For Reservation Contact: 7736000989, Mail: stay@kayalislandretreat.com,
Cave plate at Edakkal
Photography in Wayanad | Photo credit: Manoj Sudhakaran
One of the most popular experiential meals is the Cave Dinner offered by Edakkal Hermitage, very close to the famous pre-historic natural caves near Kalpetta in Wayanad. Six to eight people can sit comfortably in the 300 square feet natural cave.
“We use around 300 to 400 candles to light up the space. As the cave has natural acoustic properties, we play instrumental music to highlight the aspect,” says CP Sailesh, who set up the property along with another architect, Sibi Raj Raveendran.
Dinner is a fixed Indian menu – breads, curries, rice and more – and timings are from 7pm to 10pm – “We host three dinner groups in the cave,” says Shailesh. The property which was built in 2002 consists of seven cottages and an enchanting view of natural rock formations.
, the price of the meal is for one 2000 plus tax. For Reservation Contact: 9847001491, www.edakkal.com,