Recently, @Rahul001 and I visited Vizhinjam early in the morning to capture some photographs.
Known for its beautiful beaches, lively fishing community, and rich history, Vizhinjam is a coastal town in southern Kerala, India. It’s situated near the city of Thiruvananthapuram, with a blend of traditional culture, including fishing, and modern developments. The town is also famous for its beautiful shoreline, the iconic Vizhinjam Lighthouse, and the calm surroundings, making it a popular destination for travelers and photographers alike. Vizhinjam seaport is also an important landmark with significant economic value.
Anyway, we went to Vizhinjam on a Sunday. As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Here, the fishing community does not go to the sea on a Sunday! I learned the lesson 
But it just proved to be a slight hiccup in the original plan of shooting the fishermen leaving for the sea.
But the day was beautiful. The early morning exploring was accompanied by the loud singing and prayers from the mass. The cats and dogs had also taken a leave, it seems. They basked in the morning warmth, lazy to open their eyes. Early mornings are signature for its golden hour to capture photos; I do love the golden light, but the blue tint just before the sunlight hits is beyond words.
We were met with a couple of people selling fresh fish they had caught. A small crowd formed around the fish that lay in the middle, waiting for its owner. I tried my best to capture the moments with the 50mm lens I had. Going forward, we saw the beautiful Vizhinjam Parappalli Juma Masjid. @Rahul001 explained to me the story of the numerous birds that nest in the stone wall of the masjid.
By this time, the sun started out for the day. Walking forward, we reached the area where the blue sea crashed against the rock. Ironically, the name “Vizhinjam” is popularly believed to have originated from verb ‘Vizhngan’, which means ‘to swallow’ in Malayalam. We met some men who braved their way through the rock boulders to catch mussels, or Kallumakkaya as we call it in Malayalam. Kallumakkaya nirachathu (stuffed mussels filled with rice, coconut, and spice, deep fried in coconut oil) is a delicious snack that one ought to try! What surprised me the most was how easily the people made their way into the sea to catch these mussels. It is indeed their home.
By the time we walked back, the tea shops had opened, with steam from the fresh chai, and the old people sat around talking and reading newspapers. We met a group of fishermen mending their fishing nets, cracking jokes as their fingers weaved through the net. It was indeed nice to talk to them, and they asked when we would be coming back to give them their photos.
By this point, the sun had begun its work, and sweat was beginning to form on my forehead. We slowly walked back, while the dogs and cats stretched out and strolled lazily through the warm Sunday.
