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490 Sushant Kumar PUBLISHED JUL 03 2018 | 204003 IST

Stay at this Kochi lakehouse built inthe memory of a loving motherWe must say it feels like home

View of the two pool villas at Baymaas Lakehouse

Is this a hotel or a homestay Thatrsquos one of the many questions that cross my mind as I arrive atBaymaas Lakehouse in Kochi Hotel because the property features modern comforts staff tolook after you and above all has no owner around on-site But then it is indeed someonersquos homewhose personal belongings you can spot in one of the villas whose traditional recipes you can

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treat yourself with and whose children and grandchildrenmdashif not around in the fleshmdashcan all bespotted in the many happy black-and-white photographs that grace a wall

That someone is Baymaa and the lakehouse is her living memory Christened Annie at birth shewas considered the baby of the home Hence emerged the moniker lsquoBaymaarsquo a derivative oflsquoBabyrsquo and lsquoAmmarsquo that stuck with all her siblings Her daughters tell me that Baymaa wouldcome all the way from her permanent home in Keralarsquos Cherthala town to this second home inKochi and stay back for weeks Once yoursquore here yoursquod know why shersquod never want to leave

Baymaas Muri located next to the dining room overlooks a lush garden

Nestled on Kochirsquos quiet Cheppanam islandmdashan hourrsquos drive from the airport and 40 minutesfrom Fort KochimdashBaymaas Lakehouse is perched on the banks of Vembanad lake Truth be toldit takes a while to get used to the silence but therersquos enough singing and dancing from nature toomdashthe rustle of the palms the hallucinating ripples on the backwaters when the clouds pour andthe plop of a naughty pearl spot in a pond opposite your villa Itrsquos a respite from the cityrsquossoundtrack yoursquoll welcome with all your heart

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Baymaas Pool Villa 2 overlooks a pond the pool and the Vembanad lake

Needless to say the lakehouse is very private comprising just two contemporary pool villas andBaymaas Muri (Baymaarsquos room) Each lemongrass-scented pool villa boasts a large living spacetwo washrooms and a spacious sit-out that faces the pool while Baymaas Muri is a twin roomthat faces the garden The best part All overlook the serene waters of the Vembanad The manroped in to build the two new villas and restore Baymaarsquos room to its original glory was KarlDamschen the renowned Swiss architect behind Fort Kochi icons such as Kashi Art Cafeacute andCGHrsquos Brunton Boatyard Hotel His thoughtful approach can be seen in the dash of localelements used ranging from clay-tiled roof to natural wood and brass fittings

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The path that leads to the two pool villas Photo Karl Damschen

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If therersquos one place at Baymaas that makes you feel the most at home itrsquos the dining room Thereare no restaurants no menus Just an intimate dining space that makes you feel like yoursquove beeninvited over to a friendrsquos for lunch After all therersquos a wall here with those happy black-and-white photos of the family remember Whatrsquos served are traditional homemade meals just likeBaymaa would make for her kids Expect string hoppers with egg curry for breakfast juicy Keralabeef fry and karimeen for lunch and some chicken roast and barramundi (Oprahrsquos go-to fish Iheard from Baymaarsquos daughter) for dinner Finish it all off with a banana of course

A cycle tour of the island is a good way to spend the evening

And what does one do apart from the eating and snoozing on this quiet island To start Baymaashas its own traditional kettuvalam (country boat) that lets you cruise along the backwaters Youcan also take a cycling tour of the village walk through paddy fields and prawn farms feed thefish in the many ponds at the property and go sailing and kayaking at the Sailing Club in thevicinity But the best you can do is soak in the joy of doing nothing just like Baymaa would Closeyour eyes and feel the breeze Itrsquos at its best post 2pm

During one of my meals with Baymaarsquos kids who just happened to be in town around that time Iwonder who is luckiermdashthe kids for having such a loving mum or us the travellers who can now

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Doubles from Rs15000 (Baymaas Muri) and Rs20000 (Pool Villa) plus taxes Prices include breakfastand one meal (lunch or dinner) Website

B A C K WAT E R S B E E F C YC L I N G F O R T K O C H I H OT E L I SL A N D K E R A L A K O C H I

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