It’s as green as green can be, in all directions. Save the occasional cries of birds, a few barks, moos or quacks, all the hubbub you’re used to is far behind.

To one side of your dwelling is the Nursery, a small but neatly landscaped garden of flowering plants and shrubs, complete with a rocky fountain. The best spot to admire the birds and butterflies, or catch the fiery splendour of the setting sun at dusk.  

Neighbouring this is the Bamboo Grove, which has an impressive variety of species; all members of the world’s fastest growing woody plant family. An excellent afternoon can be had walking around the shady clumps, nibbling on a fresh shoot, and listening to the poles creaking in the wind. If you’re in luck, it may even be flowering time for some of them. 

The Aquazone comprises two natural ponds, one bigger than the other. In the big one are many kinds of ornamental fish, all bought from reputed dealers and tended to with care at Hinterlaand. The smaller one has edible fish of many kinds, again cared for by the staff. If you fancy your chances as an angler, this is where to try it.

Close by is the Menagerie, which houses cows, dogs, rabbits and squirrels. And a growing salamander, a small pool for a team of ducks, and enclosures for hens and birds of many kinds, including parrots. The grounds are also dotted with bird and squirrel cages. Share a snack with these friendly fellows or just watch them at their antics. Make the kids shriek, “Awesome.”   

Latexland is where you can saunter among the rubber trees, as well as learn how the latex is collected in coconut shells from each tree after workers cut the bark methodically, and how it’s processed and dried to make rubber sheets. In short, an educational experience which involves little effort and much pleasure.

Towards the rear is the Orchard with a thriving collection of fruit trees and vegetable plants. These include ones producing mangoes, jackfruit, cashew, figs, and bananas, not to mention coconuts and areca nuts. Plus plants that yield good things for the kitchen such as pineapples, tapioca, pumpkins, and melons. A bonus is a carefully cultivated site on which grow plants related to the zodiac signs and the asterisms, or lunar houses, on the Malayalam calendar.

Adjoining this is the Spice Route, an area with a wide selection of spices and herbs used in almost all cuisines. They flourish as in the days they were Kerala’s trump card in the world market. There’s pepper, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, mustard, chillies, and herbs such as basil, coriander, cumin and bay leaves.

Stretching out to the back is the Jungle Gym, a terrain filled with hardy veterans of the forest such as teak, mahogany and rosewood, and various other specimens endemic to Kerala’s tropical climate. A superb place for the adventurous or young at heart to ramble on for hours on end.