Sourabham in Malayalam translates as ‘fragrance’. The name of our 63-year-old home is only apt, as here you will not only encounter the scent of rain-wet earth, exotic flowers and luscious fruit, but also get a whiff of hearty Indian hospitality.

The house has a delightful garden with swaying coconut palms, banana plants, breadfruit and mango trees, which have entwining pepper vines. Oil is milled from the coconut kernels and the pepper is sold locally. There are herbs used in traditional medicine and water lilies, hibiscus and anthurium.