|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Is it a marketing term or does it really have some substance? I tried to dig deep for the answers, literally! I packed my bag, and set off for the land of eternal nature. Kerala is like a narrow strip of land lying between the Arabian Sea to the west and the hill ranges called Western Ghats. This geography defines Kerala's main identity as a green, rain-rich state filled with inland water bodies. More than 40 rivers flow down the Western Ghats to meet the Arabian Sea forming, with the backwash of the sea, a complex of canals and lakes called the Kerala Backwaters. This combined package of beaches, backwaters and greenery is what the tourism department promotes as 'God's Own Country', making tourism one of Kerala's main businesses.
|
 |
|
| |
Kerala – The land of spices!
Think of Kerala, think of spices! India is world’s leading country in producing spice with Kerala being the primary producing state. Ginger, cardamom, chilly, cassia, clove, kokum, cinnamon, nutmeg – you name it, you get it! But, Kerala is not only about spices. On one hand you get to see the serene and calm backwaters in Poovar and on the other hand there is the mystic Munnar hill. The state also has one of India's best beaches, the Kovalam beach.
The crescent-shaped Kovalam Beach is divided into three parts. The southern-most beach, Lighthouse Beach, is by far the most popular one. The middle beach, adjacent to it, is called the Hawa Beach, whiles the northern-most beach, Samudra, is the most laidback and secluded.
Not only can the beach lovers, animal lovers too go to Kerala! You will find one of the finest of forest reserves in India at Thekkady. Set high in the ranges of Western Ghats of Kerala is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park is often referred to as Thekkady. The sanctuary houses many species of wild animals and birds, the most famous being the wild Asian elephants. They make a fantastic sight when you spot them in the wild, roaming around in large herds. Photograph these magnificent pachyderms at close quarters in their natural habitat. |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
Kochi (Cochin), Kerala's most visited tourist destination, offers you a glimpse of the traditional Kerala culture, be it the Chinese fishing nets, the tranquil churches, the synagogue, or the remnants of the Colonial settlements. There is something for everyone! Famous for its backwaters and houseboat rides, Cochin is also a gourmet lover's paradise. The best place to look for authentic sea food is the waterfront at Fort Cochin. A string of stalls here serve hot and fresh seafood dishes. Rice Boats at Willingdon Island is known for its good cuisine, although a bit expensive. Fry's Village Restaurant on Chittoor Road is known to serve the local Aripathiri (chapattis made of rice flour) along with traditional curries.
Culturally, Kerala also offers Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art, and Kathakali dance, in which, elaborately costumed artists perform stories from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.
Kerala offers you a lot of sightseeing options making it a heaven for souvenir collectors. As souvenirs, you can take home the traditional Kathakali faces and bronze diyas (earthen lamps) to beautify your homes. You can also take home a good stock of fresh spices at reasonable prices along with the yummy banana chips! All in all, you can take home coir products, coconut shell crafts, wood crafts, wood and horn carvings, bamboo mat paintings, metal-ware, tea, coffee and a rich variety of spices. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
River cruise in Thekaddy |
|
Boat ride around Cochin shipyard |
|
Boat ride in the backwaters |
|
Stay in the houseboats |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Kovalam beach for swimming |
|
Speed boating in Munnar |
|
Paragliding in Thiruvananthapuram |
|
Stay in a tree-house
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Get a mud bath |
|
Healing waters of Nelliyampathy |
|
Visit to Fort Kochi |
|
Rock climbing in Kakkayam
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
Sunrise in Periyar |
| |
In Kerala, you will experience three seasons – summer, monsoon and winter. March to late May is summer, which is unbelievably hot. Late May to mid October is the rainy season, and mid October to late February is winter. Best time to visit Kerala is obviously the winter but if you visit during the monsoon you shall witness the beautiful raindrops. However, do carry umbrella all the time, because the sudden shower might catch you unprepared!
Bus: Both Inter-state Government buses and private buses ply between the neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. To escape the day heat, the journeys usually, take place in the night. A recommended suggestion would be to travel in the A/c Volvo buses, as those are much superior to the other buses in terms of quality.
Train: Most of the trains in Kerala originate or stop in the railway stations of Thiruvananthapuram or Ernakulam and tickets are booked months in advance. So, it is always a better idea to buy the tickets as early as possible.
Flights: There are three airports in Kerala - Kozhikode, Nedumbassery or Kochi/Cochin International Airport and Thiruvananthapuram. All the three airports cater to both domestic and international passengers.
|
| |
 |
| |
Chinese fishing net, Kochi |
| |
|
| |
Kerala has lots to offer due to the size of the state. So, plan out your trip in such a way that you get to see all the places without tiring yourself. Incidentally, ‘Traveler’, a magazine published by National Geographic, has listed Kerala among the 10 must see destinations of the world.
» Tourism in Kerala
» Kerala Packages
» Popular Hotels in Kerala
» Destinations in Kerala
» Experiences in Kerala
» Kerala Itineraries
..................................................................... |
| |
We'd love to know what travel lovers like you think about our new Vacationer feature. Click here to send your feedback.
Do you also have a unique story or an interesting write-up you would like to submit in the Vacationer? Click here to make your submission
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
