Using old world charm to attract visitors

The waterfront farmhouse is located in a sprawling 10 acre property with natural flora and fauna and has been beautifully converted into an ideal tourist destination for the nature lover and globetrotter.

"The farmhouse is an absolute representation of a bygone era," Jobin Joseph, Managing Director of the property, told PTI. The family had relocated to the city 27 years ago for better prospects and children's education.

They hit upon the idea to spruce it up at a cost of Rs 25 lakh and market it as a farmhouse.

The house was renovated and opened to visitors from this January, he said. The old 'Thengappura' (storeroom of coconuts) has been converted into a Kerala cottage for the comfortable stay of the visitors.

Well furnished, it has an area for meditation and yoga also. The rice cellar and housing rooms retain an old world charm.Even the porcelain flick swtich will take you back to a period long lost, says Joseph.

While renovating, every effort was taken to retain its old world charm, he said. The red oxide floor wooden furniture and painted wooden walls all have the touch and feel reminiscent of old homes. But some changes have been made in the toilet and bath facilities.

Joseph said visitors are taken for boat cruises, canoe rides and village walks, guided tour of the village life. They are also shown how toddy is tapped in this part of the state.

Tourists can see how people reside and their mode of cooking. A visit to the local church and temple are also arranged. Opportunties for fishing are also provided. One can fish with rods or cast the net or use a spike for fishing, he said.

The tourists are also taken to a trip to the nearby farm, which the family owns and cultivates paddy even now.

The tariffs are Rs 4,000 for an AC room with breakfast during season and off season it would be Rs 3000. A room without AC and television would cost Rs 2,000, he said.

The property has attracted 25 visitors since it opened in January with tourists from Germay, England and North Indian states experssing happiness at the facilities.

Joseph said they were also planning to take on lease properties at Munnar, Mararikulam and Kovalam.