| |
|
| |
| Surya Samudra began as a single
octagonal stone house thirty miles from the tip of India and
just a few minutes from the historic Vizhinjam harbour (pronounced
as Virinyam) Today, it has grown into an eco-friendly beach
resort with 23 houses spread over nearly one-third of an acre
of private space and each house comes with a luxuriant foliage
of coconut, palm, bamboo, banana, wild shrubs, flowers and the
chirping of birds.
|
|
| Individual cottages or houses
make up the resort, call bells at the door have been avoided
since the sound is jarring and each house has a granite-topped
table and stools cut from granite pillars where one can sit
and watch the waves lash against the cliff throwing little water
beads against the azure sky.
|
|
| An impressive line-up of 21
antique granite sculptures of lions welcomes every visitor into
the reception area of Surya Samudra. They are positioned against
the backdrop of an unpolished granite wall. A pathway laid with
rectangular granite slabs, reminiscent of the outer courtyard
of traditional Kerala temples, ends in front of a pair of carved
granite pillars. From there, steps lead towards houses so positioned,
that each house offers an unrestricted view of the sea and the
beaches. Further, sand paths couched in rich foliage, link the
houses. The land is terraced to prevent erosion and the cottages
are placed at different levels hidden from each other by vegetation.
|
|
| Whole 'Tharawads'
(Traditional Kerala Houses) have been purchased and reassembled
here as cottages. They have been converted into elevated structures,
keeping in mind the need for free flow of space to facilitate
unhindered movement and natural ventilation. Windows serve as
doors while writing desks face the sea. Bathroom-cum-toilets
or 'bath gardens' are open air, protected by the slopes on all
sides and each house has an open-air cafeteria. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
