KOCHI: Year-round warm weather. Scenic backwaters. Beaches. Houseboats. Exotic food. Low-cost of living. With such a beautiful bouquet to offer, could the Queen of the Arabian Sea be a better place than the UK to spend retired life in?
Eight British celebrities - actors Lionel Blair, Amanda Barrie, wildlife presenter Bill Oddie, snooker champion Dennis Taylor, TV personality Rustie Lee, TV presenter and doctor Miriam Stoppard, Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson and Just Good Friends actor Paul Nicholas - enjoyed a month’s stay in Kochi recently to find out if living out their retired life in the city could be a real alternative.
The showbiz veterans were here for the BBC documentary series - ‘The Real Marigold’ - inspired by the 2011 British blockbuster movie by the same name.
The three-part series, which went on air on BBC One on February 15, shows what the cast make of their overall experience and of living with each other in Kochi. The cast stayed at Fort Kochi’s premium hotel ‘Le Colonial’, probably Asia’s oldest colonial house dating back to 1506. “I do think India will be an eye-opener for them. Most people, when they come to India, either love it or hate it.
But you are never indifferent to it,” Smita, manager of Le Colonial, says in the first episode. Smita said a contract with the producers of the TV programme forbids her from revealing anything to the media. The cast stayed in Kochi for a month last September, involving themselves in a range of activities such as cooking, yoga and Ayurveda.
S Rajendran, a ci ty-based yoga teacher, was entrusted with the task of helping the British cast train in yoga. “I got a call from the UK in July last year from the producers of Marigold. They selected me for the programme after an interview,” he said.
Rajendran conducted yoga sessions for six out of the eight members. “I helped them with stretching, simple and basic asanas, pranayama and deep relaxation. They were happy with the outcome,” he said.
Mails to production coordinator Lily Fitzpatrick seeking details on the ‘The Real Marigold’ series did not elicit any response. The group travelled 5,000 miles to make a new home in Kochi. Would any of them seriously consider moving to Kerala?
The reality show had the guests expressing disappointment over piles of rubbish on the roads and with animals roaming around the streets saying it takes away the beauty of the place.