Olavipe Homestay
This century-old mansion is located on a forty-acre organic farm on the banks of the Kaithappuzha Backwater between Cochin and Alleppey. The old mansion built in the traditional Kerala style has been the private home of the family for more than a century.
Set amidst the lush tropical greenery of Olavipe Island, the Parayil Home 'Thekkanatt' is one of five Heritage Homes belonging to the 'Parayil Tharakans'. While you are at Olavipe, you can indulge in an array of activities such as - fish in the family's farms or in the surrounding lagoons/canals using traditional 'Choonda' (fishing rod), cast fishing nets in Kerala style, swim in the village pond and row in small country boats through the village canals. You can relax on the 'Kulir Kallu' (a cooling stone) at one end of the house with a book, laze on a hammock with lots of tender coconut water to drink or just contemplate with pleasure all the things that you are not doing!
The guests can also visit the 'Healing garden' on the family's estate, where many local ayurvedic medicinal plants are being cultivated and preserved. The paddy fields on the western side of the house grow a special variety of rice used in the household. Vanilla, pepper, arecanut, mulberry and cassava are also grown on the estate. Prawn farming is active in the season in the larger ponds and canals. The canals are also used for rearing the local delicacy-the pearl spot fish.
Facilities for outdoor table tennis, badminton, cricket, volleyball, basketball, indoor games like caroms and chess. They can also provide Canoes, windsurfing, walking tracks, bicycles etc.
KarmaKerala Review of Olavipe Homestay
Worldly & gracious hosts in old traditional house in the quiet yet very accessible from Cochin. My mother loved the conversation, the knowledge of Kerala and the general refinement!