Kollam

Long before modern ports revolutionised international trade, Kollam - then known to Arab, Chinese and Roman merchants as Quilon - served as an important southern gateway for India’s spice routes. Ships crossed the Arabian Sea to trade gold, silk, and pottery for black pepper, cardamom, and aromatic timber harvested from the Western Ghats.

At the heart of this coastal enclave lies Ashtamudi Lake, named for its eight sprawling branches that meander through lush coconut groves like the offshoots of a giant palm. Unlike crowded backwater stops, Kollam moves at a leisurely, gentle rhythm. 

Skilled local artisans, on tranquil Munroe Island, spin raw coconut husk fibres into coir rope on doorstep ledges. Fishermen raise their dip nets as twilight settles over the water. Kollam is a place where ancient maritime heritage meets the revitalising pace of Kerala’s southern lakes.