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Long, long ago, in God's own country, Kerala, a small island emerged from the depths of the Kaithappuzha backwaters. There was lots of sunshine, lots of rain, lots of green and lots of breeze. So the natives called it 'Olavipe'- 'gift of the waves', in the local language.

Olavipe is also home to this branch of the 'Parayil Tharakans', a land-owning Syrian Catholic family. Research into the history of the clan is ongoing. Traced records take us back 250 years. The 13 known generations include a Marquis, two Grand Chevaliers, three members of Kerala Legislative Assembly, several senior government officials and social leaders who have left their mark on the fabric of their times.

Set in the middle of a working farm, it is a house of openness and light, serenaded by birds, shaded by ancient trees and lulled by gentle breeze from the backwaters. The house has four large airy bedrooms for guests - including a wheel chair friendly one.

The rooms need no air-conditioning. The bathrooms attached to the bedrooms offer both cold and warm water options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are with the family and other guests around the family dining table. Food here is mostly traditional Kerala cuisine - with the produce from the farm, village and the bounty of the lagoon.