Green Chromide Homestay – Recommended Stay at Munroe Island, South Kerala
India’s natural beauty is often overshadowed by its colourful culture and magnificent architecture. We strongly felt this on our trip to Munroe Island in South Kerala. Although Munroe Island is not as well-known as its counterpart Alleppey, it leads the way in South Kerala with some inspiring waterfront homestays and resorts that will leave you not wanting to… well, leave. Nestled on the banks of the Kallada River, Munroe Island is rightly known as the ‘Hidden Venice of India’. Hence, when we planned our trip to South Kerala, we ensured that we spend enough time at Munroe Island. Our search for a waterside stay led us to Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island.
Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
Green Chromide Homestay is a simple yet upscale waterfront chalet located near the starting point of the Kallada Boat Race in Munroe Island, Kollam – South Kerala. The chalet at this homestay in Munroe Island is an independent wooden house run by a local family. Hence, it has the features and charm of a homestay where you stay and are cared for by a family, as well as the comfort of a hotel where you get utmost privacy.
How to reach Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
Green Chromide Homestay is located on one of the edges of Munroe Island. You can easily reach the homestay by crossing the Kallada River Bridge. It is situated near the Munroe Island post-office as soon as you enter the island. The nearest railway station to Green Chromide Homestay is Munroturuttu, located just 3 kilometres away from the homestay. You can hire an auto-rickshaw from the Munroturuttu station to reach the homestay.
The nearest airport to Green Chromide Homestay is the Trivandrum airport, located about 78 kilometres away from the homestay. You can either hire a direct private taxi for the homestay or reach the Trivandrum railway station and catch a train for Munroturuttu or Kollam. Alternatively, you can call the hosts at the Green Chromide Homestay, and they will arrange for suitable transport at an affordable cost.
We reached Green Chromide Homestay on a two-wheeler that we had rented from a motorcycle rental agency near Trivandrum airport. The ride to the homestay is pleasant, with smooth winding roads and a lot of greenery around. On the final stretch, we passed through some narrow lanes and thick coconut/ palm plantations.
Independent wooden cottage at Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
Green Chromide homestay is hosted by a very humble family. You can expect to find a big joint family in this part of India. We received a warm welcome from Ms. Sunaina, the main hostess, and her family of 9. They live in a bungalow with a huge veranda in the front. We parked our two-wheeler in their parking area.
Right opposite their bungalow is the private property where the hosts have built this beautiful, independent chalet that overlooks the Kallada River. It is surrounded by various plantations and has a big veranda and garden in the front. We always desired to stay in a wooden log cabin, and staying in the wooden chalet at Green Chromide homestay fulfilled that dream. We learnt later that this pinewood cottage at the homestay was imported from Canada to Munroe Island. It was assembled and installed in the premises near the river in a matter of 3 days. It sits on a raised platform and has a large bedroom, a washroom and a small kitchenette area.
The bedroom has a comfortable king-size bed, bedside tables, a corner study table, and a wardrobe made of wood. The bathroom is big with a separate shower area. The chalet is equipped with modern amenities like an air-conditioner, water heater, reliable Wi-fi connection and reading lights. The window in the bedroom opens directly to the enchanting views of the Kallada River. The room was freshly sanitized before our arrival giving us an assurance of a safe stay. We were provided with bottled drinking water, quality linen and basic toiletries.
Right outside the chalet entrance at Green Chromide homestay is a small front porch that directly overlooks the flowing Kallada River. The hosts have thoughtfully placed a cloth dryer in the front porch of the chalet, which proved to be super helpful to us. We were permitted to use the host’s washing machine, iron table, and kitchen area if we required.
As the chalet at Green Chromide homestay is made of wood, it acted as a natural insulator and protected us from the heat and humidity outside. The chalet is built in a small piece of land close to the island’s settlement yet provides utmost privacy. The riverside chalet is surrounded by a garden with many crops and cultivations like banana, coconut, papaya, jack fruit and pepper. A few hammocks hanging around in the garden completes the look of this beautiful homestay in Munroe Island.
A riverside tiled canopy is installed in the garden at Green Chromide Homestay, below which a small dining table is laid out with few chairs. This used to be our favourite spot at the property. We used to sit here almost the entire day and enjoy the cool breeze from the Kallada River. Sipping tea, watching the sunset, observing people, fishermen and boatmen were our favourite activities that we used to enjoy from the tiled canopy at Green Chromide homestay. The pathway from the chalet to the patio is well-lit during the night-time for ease of movement.
Hosts at Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
Ms. Sunaina, our hostess, and her family are really passionate about hosting guests from all around the world and showcasing them the countryside life of the backwaters of Kerala. They made us feel at home throughout our stay and were on their toes to make our stay comfortable. They helped us with directions to places of interest, arranged for a canoe ride, and on our request, sat with us when we wanted to understand the way of living and culture of Munroe Island. They were full of interesting information on the local area and its history. They suggested things to buy, the best shops to go to, and good places to drink and eat at Munroe Island.
Meals at Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
Our hostess and her family at Green Chromide homestay cooked delicious local delicacies and served us home-cooked meals. They procure locally-grown vegetables and grocery that are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. We had all our meals in their garden by the side of the river, which was bliss. One afternoon, they prepped a mouth-watering traditional Kerala Sadya lunch for us that was served on a large banana leaf. The culinary delights rustled in the kitchen of Green Chromide Homestay will stay on our taste buds for a very long time. The meals at this homestay in Munroe Island were mostly South Indian, but if you are not too fond of the local dishes, you can always ask them to prepare alternative cuisines. We are vegetarians and did not have any complaints in terms of food. However, if you are non-vegetarian, you might be in for treat as we learnt that their speciality is Green Chromide fish which is found right at the banks of the homestay. Fishes are freshly sourced from the river and cooked.
Things to do while staying at Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island:
1. Plan a trip to all the places to visit in Munroe Island:
While Munroe Island isn’t a place for sightseeing hungry tourists, it has its own share of beautiful places to visit. As we mentioned in our earlier blog on Travel guide to Munroe Island, if you have just one thing to do on Munroe Island, take a canoe tour surrounding the backwaters of the island. The canoe ride takes you around Munroe Island through narrow canals as well as bits of Ashtamudi lake angd will surely be an experience to remember.
Honestly, we went to Munroe Island just to relax, but our hostess Ms. Sunaina recommended us some places to visit with such enthusiasm that we ended up discovering little gems across the island, and we are forever thankful to her for that. We have written a dedicated blog on Places to visit in Munroe Island that you can check out.
2. Cycle your way across the Munroe Island
The hosts at the Green Chromide Homestay have bicycles that you can borrow and go around wandering the length and breadth of Munroe Island. Riding across the island is super stress-free with no traffic, no pollution, and lots of greenery around. Choose narrow lanes, and you will find yourself riding parallel to the serene canals emerging out of the backwaters. Breathe in the dust-free air pregnant with floral fragrance, and get up and close to nature.
3. Catch the sunset from the homestay
When viewed from the garden of Green Chromide Homestay, the sun sets exactly in the centre of the Kallada River. The sight of the sun setting over the crimson-hued waters of the Kallada River will leave you completely recharged.
3. Immerse yourself in Nature
The best thing about Munroe island is being so close to nature. From waterways and canals to narrow lanes and plethora of trees, it has the ideal setup to immerse yourself in nature. No other experience can be as rewarding as walking through the narrow lanes of Munroe Island. Nowhere in the urban setup will you find such a place like Munroe Island to rejuvenate. Mornings and evenings are the best time to jog amongst the nature surrounding the Green Chromide Homestay. You can even ask the hosts for a village walk and they will happily arrange for a guided tour. Explore and get lost in the natural beauty around you.
4. Go fishing / swimming
The cottage at the Green Chromide Homestay is right on the banks of Kallada River, and you can actually do fishing from the garden premises itself. ‘Green Chromide’ is actually a variety of fish commonly found in the Kallada River backwaters. The hosts at the homestay have fishing gear that you could borrow, catch a fish/ prawn, and request the host to cook it for you. You can even help them in the kitchen and learn a skill or two of Keralan cuisine.
A refreshing swim in the Kallada River is all that one could ask for in the scorching Keralan hot and humid weather. Again, you can go swimming right from the homestay’s premises. Remember, the Kallada River is deep and only good to swim for expert swimmers.
6. Do nothing
Yes, that is an option too while staying at Green Chromide Homestay. Trust us, you won’t get bored. Sit in the garden, relax/ sleep on the hammock,read a book, listen to the fisherman passing by selling his catch of the day, dive into the Kallada River (only recommended for expert swimmers), attempt your favourite yoga pose, meditate, hear the birds call, or just watch the sunset and the stars shine as darkness sets in.
We had a gala time staying at Green Chromide homestay’s real and homely environment. Apart from the family, we met several generous local people in Munroe Island whose passion for sharing their culture touched our hearts. We would love to stay with Green Chromide Homestay again and again without a doubt whenever we plan to visit Munroe Island in the future.
Apart from the independent chalet, Green Chromide Homestay also hosts two double rooms on the first floor in their own bungalow. Both the rooms are garden facing and have an attached bathroom. The riverfront garden area near the chalet can be used by the guests staying in the double rooms as well which is a bonus. You can book the chalet or the double rooms directly through their website or through one of the below mentioned travel portals.
Check the current prices of Green Chromide Munroe Homestays by clicking on below links -
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Green Chromide homestay is a perfect place to stay in Munroe Island for solo travellers, backpackers, adventure enthusiasts, families as well as for laidback life-stylers. You will be spoilt for choices when staying at this homestay in Munroe Island. Did you like our review of Green Chromide Homestay, Munroe Island? Let us know in the comment section below.
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