Why Not In Calicut, India

From when it was still just a thought, booking my ticket and up to when I got on-board the aircraft, many of my colleagues asked why in Calicut.  I just smiled. The more they asked the more I got curious to know the answer.  Why not in Calicut?  What is wrong with it?  

I arrived in Kozikhode International Airport in India. All are locals, aside from myself, no other foreigners at the airport. While I was filling up the immigration form I received a warm welcome from a local resident who just also arrived from Bahrain.  That was especial warm welcome.  So Why Not In Calicut?  First impression, people are nice

Their airport is not one amongst having great facilities, small duty free shop and less airport information for arriving passengers.

The immigration officer had to call my friend and confirmed if they are expecting for my arrival. They are actually outside and waiting for me.

My friend Ahmed, his wife (Ashura) and daughters (Amina, Asheera) came to pick me up. It felt so heart welcoming to see them at 3am where the girls are supposed to be in bed.  They insisted to come to the airport and see me. I was so overwhelming to see your family Ahmed.

I guess, I have the first answer to those curious minds who asked why in Calicut :-). They have not felf the way I felt and not treated the way I was treated.

This Is Why In Calicut.

Calicut is the third largest city in Kerala. Calicut was often dubbed as the City of Spices because of being the major trading point of eastern spices.

Totilpalam, Calicut, India

Indian Rupees, 500, 100 & 50 denominations

 Adah (sweet coconut bits inside) and milk served for my breakfast

The Couple preparing for lunch together.  She is frying fish.

Wife cooked biryani, very different one from what I had tasted in Bahrain

Let see around the backyard and neighborhood.

Fire woods storage

Chandran climbed up the coconut tree. 

Rope technique, see rope tied on his feet and hands.

On most festive occasions, women wear bangles, a symbol of good luck and part of tradition. 

Bangles are made from every conceivable material. 

Khadija at her 75 still fashionable.  Gold is their thing.

Stone house

Deep well

On trip for more views

Their cousin Jazna, sisters; Amina and Asheera, Me

Princesses like

Church

Off to school

Bus Station

Shops

More shops

Public bus

Auto-rickshaw

It was foggy on our way up to the mountain along the Hair Pin Bend Road

Peruvannamuzhi Dam is a picnic place, where you can go to unwind in nature

Kozhikode (Calicut) Beach

Kozhikode Beach has two piers that stand toward the middle of the sea. These piers are more than 150 years old but they still reminisce with the power of the old times.

Lovers walk

Here comes the wave

Fishing In Action

Dirty ice cream 

Take one. Take two.

Resting under the tree

Bonding with sons

Father and child

Thinking

Nuts

Mananchira Square

Elathur

Elathur is a beautiful town as it has a lake that borders it

Kappad Beach

Kappad Beach is very famous and significant because of the fact that the famous world explorer Vasco De Gama first set foot on the Kappad Beach on his world famous journey. Vasco De Gama set foot on the Kappad Beach in 1498 AD.

I was introduced to their relatives and neighbors. Each houses we visited I was offered something to drink and eat.  I have tasted "apam" in different way it was cooked.  It is like a flavored puto version of Philippines' native food, made up of glutinous rice, with fresh grated coconut, sauted onions (like hopiang baboy taste) sweetened and fresh coconut juice for drink.

Time To Say Goodbye.

I was prepared to the time set by my friend to drop me back to the airport.  But where is Ahmed (the father)? Ashura (wife) still in the kitchen and kids are with me in the living room. Asheera is the talkative one, a sweet girl trying to converse with me in English and teaching me some of the Malayalam words.

Looking at my watch, was so worried that I might be late for my departure since travel to the airport will take us 2 hours.

For the last time they showed how hospitable they are. Ashura was in the kitchen cooking an apam for me which she knew I liked. Ahmed showed up too carrying 5 small coconut. His neighbor climbed up the coconut tree just to get those coconuts and it was dark so needed to light his neighbor. So sweet all of you.

Now, I have all the reasons why in Calicut.