The Matsyafed Milkyway Aqua-Tourism Centre and Valappu Beach, Vypeen – Gallan Style..
27 March 2011
View Comments
If you are looking for a ‘not-so-crowded’ place to spend your weekend or for a full day picnic spot not at all far away from the city, then Matsayfed’s Milkyway aqua tourism project at Malippuram Village, Vypeen, is surely the one you are looking for. The ‘Milkyway’ is a unique concept from the MatsayFed (Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd). Its a shrimp farm converted to aqua-tourist village, attached next to a beautiful private beach, where public can visit for a day and enjoy a lot of variety activities (listed beneath 
). And this is just a small effort by this Gallan to help you enjoy it better
). And this is just a small effort by this Gallan to help you enjoy it better Whats so special about this place ?
- Fresh environment, very much pollution free.
- A closer experience wit the Mangrove trees/Mangrove Forest
- Brackish Water Fish Farm / Shrimp Farm (Brackish means ‘somewhat salty’, like how a mix of seawater and fresh water would taste. Now you know what the kind of ‘brackish’ fishes would be. The farm uses scientific culture and traditional filtration methods.)
The farm uses scientific culture and traditional filtration methods.)- Beach attached for some extra fun ( The Chappa Beach (aka Malippuram)- located right in front of the farm. The farm and beach are like on opposite sides of the road, facing each other)
- Safe and organized as it is run by the Government.
Expenses :
Apart from the travel expense, this Gallan had to spend Rs.150 (Rs.100 for kid Gallans 
) for entry ticket. It was worth the 150 spent as it not just includes entry, but also meals and boat riding. The Kerala style meals came along with fish curry, fish fry, prawns pickle and ice cream (not so Kerala’yish though ). This Gallan also got a plate of prawns dry curry for an extra Rs.75 . Also took two Pazham-Pori (Banana Fry – Rs.5 each) and a tea in the evening. Small snacks like ‘Lays’ and bottled water were also available for sale in the food hut…
) for entry ticket. It was worth the 150 spent as it not just includes entry, but also meals and boat riding. The Kerala style meals came along with fish curry, fish fry, prawns pickle and ice cream (not so Kerala’yish though ). This Gallan also got a plate of prawns dry curry for an extra Rs.75 . Also took two Pazham-Pori (Banana Fry – Rs.5 each) and a tea in the evening. Small snacks like ‘Lays’ and bottled water were also available for sale in the food hut…Special Notes:
For Ladies – The toilet and changing room is pathetic. Can’t really rely on them.
For the ‘dudes and dudetes’ in Kochi, who wouldn’t want to spend the 150 – You may enjoy the beach for FREE ( ) and also get a sneak preview of the farm by taking the side road that runs across a canal.
– You may enjoy the beach for FREE ( ) and also get a sneak preview of the farm by taking the side road that runs across a canal.How you could reach there (from the city) :
- By bus?
Any of the North Paravur or Kodungalloor or Munambam buses from the High Court Junction could take you there. Get down at the ‘Valappu Junction’ stop and ask any rickshaw-wallah to drop you at this place. And thats it.
- Have your own vehicle (can travel in cars) ?
Travel from High Court towards Vypeen Beach route, crossing the Goshree Bridges. Take left from the ‘Valappu Junction’, which is almost 2 KMs after the junction where you turn to go to the Puthu-Vypeen beach. In total, its just above 12 KMs ride from the city.From the Valappu Junction, take the bye-road and travel straight through a narrow road (which gets narrower inch after inch) for about 2 KMs. When you reach a dead end, take right and again go straight for around 200- 400 metres to reach the place.
Timing:
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday .
* Its gonna be a bad idea if you are planning to go here on the Onam day. Cos, the centre’s only holiday in a year is on Onam day. It is open during the entire 364 days remaining. Happy?
If any concerned authorities are reading this.. Don’t you think that this place can be made far better than how it is now? Market it better and work on the food varieties. Atleast a board near the mangrove forest to explain what mangroves are to the tourists who doesn’t know about it? Think.
Gallan suggests:
- Set out to reach the place by around 11 AM. Collect the tickets from the small ticket house and head towards the ‘Mangrove Forest’ area, which falls to be the first on the way.
- Spend around an hour in the mangrove forest. Concrete seats have been made to sit in between the mangrove trees. There is also a swing where you could spend some time, and click pics. (Now, don’t ask what all could be done during the one hour. If you are with your friends/family, you may play some games like ‘Anthakshari’. 
Or if you are with your lover…you know what to do )
Or if you are with your lover…you know what to do )- After noon, head towards the shrimp farm, crossing the series of colorful bamboo bridges. And then have your meals along with exquisite scenery. Relax before, during and after having your food. Its a special experience.
- After that, you may either enjoy a bit of sun bathing or may head out for fishing. There are numerous nets on which you may enjoy your sun bathing. And for fishing, the management will help you with the equipments. You don’t have to carry any. (fishing rods available for a very nominal rent). But to carry your catch back home, you need to pay them a very nominal rate ( which is very cheap when compared to the market price), depending on the weight of your catch. They can also cook it for you !!!
(fishing rods available for a very nominal rent). But to carry your catch back home, you need to pay them a very nominal rate ( which is very cheap when compared to the market price), depending on the weight of your catch. They can also cook it for you !!!- By around 4, you may start with the boat riding. There are pedal boats which come for free and motor boats for which you need to pay.
Suggestion – Pay a little extra and enjoy the motor boat ride. They’ll take you on to it show you the most exciting scene that this Gallan saw ever during the visit (Milk Fishes literally flew around me. I swear )
)- Most important. Wind up everything by 5-5:30 and get out of the farm to head towards the Chappa Beach (aka Malippuram beach) (location mentioned above). You should make it a point to enjoy the sunset at this beach. Its a very pleasant site.
Its not recommended to stay there for long after sunset. Rush back to your home, log in to the net and comment a ‘Thank You’ for this Gallan. Won’t you??? Hehe.. Enjoy
More Pics:
The Valappu Junction A colored Bamboo Bridge Kerala Meals (Oonu) with Fish varieties
You might also like
 |
 |
 |
 |
