Olavipe is the home of the 'Parayil Tharakans', a land-owning Syrian Catholic family in a rural village on the outskirts of Cochin. The house was built about a century ago and took nearly 13 years to be built. This was probably because all the construction material had to be ferried across the Kaithappuzha backwaters in large rice boats, as there was no road access in those days. The house is conceived on the lines of traditional Kerala tharavads (large homesteads) of the period, took on high ceiling and arches from other styles. The rooms are fan-cooled and have no air-conditioning. The house is situated in a village is a great place to explore rural life. They are also near the backwaters and organize boat trips as well.