Insider: Joerg Drehsel
JOERG DREHSEL, the owner of Malabar Escapes, the most exclusive and charming little hotel chain in Kerala, has been living in the Keralan port city of Cochin for more than fifteen years now. He is one of the most active supporters of socially conscious tourism here. Admittedly, managing his Malabar Escapes does not leave that much time for travelling the rest of Kerala; it mostly involves business trips to Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, as well as to Munnar, the heart of Keralan tea industry.
"MUNNAR is not that far from Cochin so we do visit it every now and then. We usually stay at WINDERMERE ESTATE (www.windermeremunnar.com), a lovely 12-room property with a fabulous view of the nearby mountains and excellent walking routes in the vicinity."
Joerg loves WYNAD in North Kerala for its climate: the place is located some 1000 m above sea level. "You will find both kinds of vegetation there, tropical and non-tropical. The best place to spend the night is right in the middle of a very quiet coffee plantation. Besides, it's remote enough to be free of the usual tourist infrastructure.
Another place I keep going back to again and again is the PADMANABHAPURAM Palace south of Trivandrum; it is made so special by its traditional architecture. And yet my absolute favourite is the MATTANCHERRY district in Fort Cochin, an ancient Indian-European city we have chosen as our home."
Speaking of shops, Joerg singles out CINNAMON in Fort Cochin, a store that shares its building with the Trinity Hotel owned by Malabar Escapes and is interesting with its unique eclectic selection of the best from contemporary Indian designers, as well as the IDIOM bookstore (Princess Street, Fort Cochin) selling India-themed books, and FABINDA (Old Thevara Road) if you are interested in ethnic clothing.
Kerala is also unique with its vivid and recently very lively contemporary art scene. "The most avant-garde one is the KASHI ART GALLERY in Bazaar Road, midway between Fort Cochin and Jew Town. I also like to roam the old Jew Town warehouses. The neighbourhood traditionally filled with quaint little antique shops is now also home to quite a few lifestyle stores; the latest addition is AIRPORT ART, a North Indian souvenir shop. And yet I would rather suggest you got to Jew Town to mingle, browse and generally wander about than recommend a few selected shops to visit."
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