Kochi's Pink Trumpet trees bloom ahead of Valentine's Day: Best spots, celebration-friendly sites, timings

Kochi's Valentine week kicks off on a colourful note as the city's Pink Trumpet trees bloom at various stretches, for the first time. Just like Japan's cherry blossoms, they enhance the scenery of Kochi's spots where the trees flourish. In the previous years, too, the trees had flowered at certain stretches, but not on such a festive scale. While Kochiites' mornings now begin with fallen flowers laying a pink carpet on the roads, the days pass with the sight bringing smiles to the faces of both those who drive and walk by the trees. What are the best areas to check them out? If you want to indulge in a Japan-style 'hanami viewing' where you walk around the city enjoying the blooms, for this Valentine's Day, here's what you should know, along with some valuable tips.

Planted in 2017
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Project Manager Prabhu says the Pink Trumpet trees were planted in Kochi around 2017. "It's this year that they started blooming at this scale. On the ICTT (International Container Transhipment Terminal) Vallarpadam - Container Road alone, there are around 50 trees. They started blooming by the end of January this year. As this is the first time they are blooming at this scale, we are waiting to figure out how long their season will be, here," he explains. Generally, the Pink Trumpet trees bloom till March. 

Kochi spots to check out the trees
While there are many spots in Kochi where the trees have started blooming, here are a few of our picks to enjoy the trees during Valentine's week:
1) On the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road in Kadavanthra, beside the Cherupushpam Nursery
Though there are only a few trees here, they are in peak bloom. Unlike in other stretches where the trees are generally at the median, here, they are by the roadside. However, if you plan to stop there to click photos, please exercise caution, as it is a busy road. 
2) Palarivattom-Edappally Road
There are a few trees in full bloom here outside the Indian Oil Petrol Pump, where you can take pictures peacefully. Moreover, there is a gloriously blooming tree even within the adjacent Changampuzha Park. You can also consider grabbing a bite at some cafes nearby, like Westley’s or Talk of the Town, if interested in clubbing the tree-viewing with a date. 

3) Panampilly Nagar walkway
Keen on a walk date for Valentine's Day? This spot can be right for you. There is also an open gym under the trees' shade. A ton of coffee shops, including the popular Coz Coffee, are right beside the trees. 
4) Chambakkara Walkway
The trees here are tucked away under the Chambakkara Bridge. It’s the perfect spot to catch the sunset beneath the beautiful tree. 
5) Container Road
Love going on romantic drives and want to club Pink Trumpet tree viewing with it? Take the Container Road route. If you're planning a fancy meal, the Grand Hyatt, Kochi, is only a kilometre away. 

Best time of the day
The best times of the day to check out the trees are early mornings and evenings. "Early in the mornings, the fallen flowers fill the roads in the pink hue, and there aren't any vehicles obstructing your experience either. The morning warm light also lends a special, magical touch to the flowers. Shutterbugs too say they get the best pictures at these hours," says Krithi U, a runner who regularly jogs inthe  Changampuzha Park area.