Monsoons transform Kerala into a state of mind. Making it a perfect time for everything,especially travel.
#ItsTheWayYouSeeIt is a photo journey with travel photographer Ajay Menon along the banks of River Nila during the invigorating Monsoon. It's an opportunity to see the monsoon through a photographers’ eyes, take portraits of real people, document artists in their act and witness how the river and land transform as the monsoon take over.
The trip begins at Silent Valley’s lush rain forest and traverses through lands where Nila is more a culture than a river. Meet people whose livelihood are connected to Nila. Experience the cultures the river has nurtured. Encounter rare art forms and craftsmanship. Spend time with the artists and their families and friends. Listen to magical myths. Be entertained by stories of the river and from the river. Print a visual memoir of the journey through the photographs you have clicked. A story that will stay close to your heart, all your life.
A journey for photography enthusiasts, who have basic photography knowledge
Travel with Ajay Menon, travel photographer and Gopinath Parayil, the storyteller
Experiencing monsoon, mountains, forests, rivers
Meeting artists, craftsmanship, people & culture of Nila
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Creating a photo memoir of nature photography, portraits, photo stories
Selected photos from the trip to be exhibited at world's largest Travel fair ITB Berlin 2017
The trip begins from villages at the valley of Western Ghats in Palakkad. Stay in traditional "botique heritage" properties, eat local cuisines, explore the farmlands and ethnic toddy shops.
Explore photography vantage points of Nelliyampathy hills and many hillocks doting the river. Take out your wide lenses. Create panoramas.
Travel along the banks of Nila. Meet people ,click portraits. Visit local teashops. Document Nila amidst monsoons.
There are more than 80 temples in Nila region. Visit temples and listen to the legends and myths from the people of Nila. Experience rituals like Kalamezhuth paatt and Pulluvan paatt which are exclusive cultural symbols of Kerala's rich artistic tradition.
Meet various artists and craftsmen while they perform. The last man who creates Kathakali kopp, the only family who does Adakkaputhur Kannadi, magical shadow puppetry and Glove puppetry performances are just some of them.
Experience the music of the river from mountain to the sea that nurtured this civilisation.
Follow the river, explore natural ponds, farmlands, mangroves.
Experience a train journey through villages to reach Nilambur forests. Visit Railway stations canopied by trees and shrubs.
Stay in the largest household remaining in Kerala, study the intricate designs of sustainable architecture.
Nila ends at Ponnani, where it flows in to the Arabian sea. Visit villages in Ponnani, which predominantly houses muslim communities in contrast to other villages of Nila.
Following a river through the monsoons. Travel across mountains, forests and the villages where Nila flows. Meet people, art, carfts and culture from Nila. Experience myths, stories and characters from the region.
Travel Photographer Ajay Menon, and Storyteller Gopinath, both hail from Nila. A great chance to sharpen your photography skills with the help of an expert, while experiencing magical myths and stories of the land.
"Imagine your photographs being exhibited at the world's largest travel trade show ITB Berlin? Chosen by eminent photographers including Dayanita Singh, 14 photogrpahs representing 14 days of our travel will be exhibited at ITB Berlin in Mar 2017, followed by similar exhibitions in London, Singapore and select galleries in India."
This journey is only for a max of ten people. But one person gets to travel for free for 14 days and document mesmerising Nila. All you need to do is to upload a photograph you took and post it on fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest etc with a #ItsTheWayYouSeeIt & #Nila16 for a total of 14 days.
10 Member groupRoad TripArt & CulturePhoto MemoirTrain and Boat journeysTravel PhotographyMountains, Forest, Rivers, SeaWalks & TreksPhoto ExhibitionTravel, Stay & Food Included
An eye for a striking frame, they say, comes naturally to some. Ajay happens to fall into that lot. Photography had been a hobby before it soon transformed into something that progressively satisfied Ajay’s artistic ambitions. Having deeply inspired by the natural setting of Kerala, the place he’s from his pictured are a unique blend of raw and fine aesthetics.
The affinity to go experimental whenever he can, has also made him freeze moments that otherwise would have gone unnoticed, may be, forever. Born in the heritage village of Vellinezhi on the banks of River Nila, Ajay currently lives in Cochin and runs a media production house called Papaya Media with his friends. #ItsTheWayYouSeeIt is a journey with Ajay exploring Nature, culture and people. See his work.
Gopi founded The Blue Yonder, one of the most awarded responsible travel companies of the world in 2004. A keen promoter of sustainability and a believer in social entrepreneurship, he transformed The Blue yonder into a travel company that creates a positive impact in both hosts’ and guests’ lives. A pioneer in Responsible Tourism, he identifies projects and destinations to work with and then transforms them into immersive travel experiences. Nila is both passion and home for him.
A National Geogrpahic World Legacy Awards jury, Gopi is also a founding board member of Asian Ecotourism Network. Core team member & volunteer of Compassionate Kozhikode, he's is a keen believer in 'Creating Better Places for People to Live & for People to Visit". An ardent story teller, this journey with him and Ajay will be an experience by itself.
The Blue Yonder designs responsible travel experiences that reveal truth about the places you visit. The Blue Yonder was created to provide meaningful travel experiences for discerning travellers. It all started back in 2004 with a small initiative on river conservation in the state of Kerala. From then on, we’ve been knitting together many beautiful and inspirational holidays for our guests.
The Blue Yonder brings together authentic and unique experiences that are intimately connected to the local communities we engage and work together with. We enable travellers to be part of some of the most inspiring stories around – of communities working together to provide unique experiences in some of the most magical places on Earth. #ItsTheWayYouSeeIt is a brand new Photo travel expedition designed by TBY. Know More
Papaya Media, is a content creation team from Kerala who believe that nothing communicates like Visual Stories and that Quality never goes out of fashion. Papayans specialise in creating concepts & capturing stories that are compelling with unmatched quality, communicated in the most simple yet profound way, ensuring an emotional connect with the viewer.
A group of Writers, Cinematographers, Film makers, Designers, Editors & Colourists, who breathe in and breathe out Quality, nurturing an intimate relationship with the visual medium and in awe of its power.
For inquiries, please contact Sneha :
Tel: +91 99524 23593 | sneha@theblueyonder.com
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This is a trip designed for any traveller who's keen on an experiential holiday. Interest in photography and basic knowledge of photography is expected. You are welcome to come with iphone if that's what's interesting for you.
The trip starts on 20th July 2016 in Kochi and ends in Kochi. 1st August evening Guests are free to leave on their own or join the team next day morning after breakfast to Kochi.
You will be travelling with a group and not all accommodation can provide single rooms
Though you will be provided comfortable stay in heritage houses, and botique resorts, the focus of the trip is on the experience itself and not only the comfort of stay.
Though most part of the day will be based on plans designed by lead photographer and tour leader, we are keeping the schedule for flexible activities.
Trip confirmation will be based on First Come First Serve basis, 50% non refundable advance need to be paid to confirm your participation. Remaining amount has to be paid on or before 10th July 2016.
Participants should bring their gears, please note that you need not carry a tripod as the team would have 2-3 with us and can be shared. Kindly consult before you bring any large equipments before the trip.
Bring your own umbrellas and rain cheaters. Carry slippers and good walking shoes. Please note that most households will expect you to remove your footwear, so it's practical to have easily removable footwear.
Group communication language will be English. Tour leaders can assist in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam if needed.
Idea of the trip is to capture the experience as it flows and very rarely would there be 'photo sessions'. Our presence shouldn't be a liability for local people, but an enjoyable experience. A good travel photographer is someone who can capture impromptu moments.
Participants should keep an open mind towards local cultures and traditions and in doubt, should always consult the team leaders. Community acceptance is the key to this trip.
Our trip will go through conservative areas practicing centuries old tradition. We are here to observe and not judge, so be attentive to the briefing.
Participants should keep time and schedule with punctuality as it's a group trip and your one action mind compromise rest of the team.
There will be daily briefings either towards the end of day or beginning.
Though there will be a dedicated vehicle for group movement through out the trip, you should expect travelling in public buses, trains, country boats and auto rickshaws. There will be fair amount of walking in rural settings.
Most of the areas we are travelling don't have plastic recycling facility. We request every one to bring their own drinking water bottles to carry through the entire trip. Hygenic, safe drinking water will be provided to all participants to refill throughout the journey. In case you need bottled water, you have to purchase on your own and carry it back with you.
Some of the locations and places of stay need not allow alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking or non vegetarian food.
To know more about values of Responsible Tourism please read through A to Z of Responsible Tourism www.theblueyonder.com/atoz