God’s own country? Posted on February 7, 2004 Am off to Pune tomorrow to spend a day with friends. On Monday, Stephanie and I are taking off to Kerala for a week. We’ll be going to Alleppey first. After spending the first two days there, we’ll decide where to go next. There are a few sights we hope to catch – like the Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Kumarakom. Spice Village. Thekkady. We might not be able to go towards the South (Trivandrum) or North (Wyanad) as we will run out of time. So, we’ve decided to concentrate around the central part of Kerala. If you’ve been to this part of the country recently and have any suggestions/ tips/ places to see to share with us, do leave us your comments. Next week, we discover if Kerala is truly God’s own country! Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Travel
Anita Recommends Losing a passport and why travel insurance proved useless Posted on December 17, 2014 This post is all about “what happens when you lose a passport” and my personal experience with ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance. Yes. I did the “no 1” thing feared by most travellers. It features probably on the top of things NOT to do when on the road. Lose a passport;… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Don’t go chasing waterfalls! Posted on April 25, 2007April 25, 2007 But we did! And what an exciting chase it turned out to be. Starting with a one hour climb up the mountains, emerging into the green valley kissed by fleeting clouds and then a walk along the ridges of the mountains to reach our destination – the Bandaje Abbe falls…. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Running in Mumbai Posted on January 26, 2009January 26, 2009 The Mumbai run was an exciting event for me. The registrations start way in advance so there is quite a build up over the months. It was another story that I wasn’t too prepared and hadn’t put in any long runs in the month prior to Mumbai. But I was… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
1) Like everywhere else, the autowallahs and the cabbies will try and loot you at every given opportunity, best rule of thumb is that the fares are generally lower than Mumbai or Delhi. If possible, have someone who belongs there to go with you. 2) Avoid public transport as much as possible, the ‘grope’ is very much alive and kicking there. 3) Food is generally cooked well and the ‘starriest’ hotels need not necessarily give you the cheapest/best grub, but if you do not like it hot and spicy, go slow at it 🙂 4) From what I remember, the tourism dept runs pretty cheapish day-long trips in the lake region. Grab a book, a wide brimmed hat, plenty of water, read and eat the whole day. 5) The mobile phone coverage is pretty neat there and I think Airtel/Hutch gives you roaming almost over the entire state (As long as you do not wander too deep into the forests ;-)) Reply
If you want to try some beaches, go to cherai beach. It’s near Ernakulam ( cochin ). Beach is neat and not crowded. Cochin mostly has only some buildings of historical importance. You can see Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Bolgatty Palace, St.Francis Church, Chinese Fishing nets. etc. Then you can go to munnar if you have time. You can go to Vazhachal, athirampally if u want to see some waterfalls. In kumarakom try a houseboat. It’d be around 3k-6k per day. If that’s expensive u can try some other small boats which will take u thru the lake for a sighseeing trip. That’ll be arnd 350 for 1 hr or 500 for 2 hrs. Reply
Hi Anita, When in Tekkady, do take a boat ride into Periyar lake. Cross over the wooden dam and wait a while (cut engines, if you ‘re on a powered boat). If you’re lucky you might just get to see the elephant herd; If you happen to take a liking to trekking, watch out for leeches. Carry lime salt (‘pan ka chuna’). It helps the blood clot. Have fun =) Reply
Codey: Thanks for those tips! Will be very helpful. Will definitely try and avoid public transport. We get a lot of the groping everywhere as it is! Sibi: We’re planning to spend a day in Kumarakom, so we’ll take in a boat ride then. And spend a day in Cochin, hopefully as we come back from there. So will try and take in those sights then. Chetan: That sounds nice. Will definitely keep it in mind as we plan to go to Thekkady. I think we’ll avoid the trekking 🙂 Reply
Thanks Jil! We’ve reached Kumily, Thekkady. I’ve injured my foot a little and Steph has a bad stomach infection, but we’re hoping to catch some sights around Periyar lake tomorrow! Reply
You have a pretty nice blog. English is not my native language but it was please to read your site. From Russia with love :)Sincerely yours.. Reply
If you wish to go a beach in kochin,you come to cherai beach.you can get the map from http://www.cheraihotels.com If you want to try some beaches, go to cherai beach. It’s near Ernakulam ( cochin ). Beach is neat and not crowded Reply
Cherai beach is a virgin beach,clean and lengthy . Back water and beach had makde a memorable picture .I got the information from http://www.cheraihotels.com .This year Cheraibeach festival Started on 24 the december 2006 Reply
Cherai beach is a natural heaven, serene,unspoilt and eternal.Despite having been discovered by the world as the place for the perfect vacation If you wish to go a beach in kochin,you come to cherai beach.you can get the Helps from http://www.cheraihotel.com Reply
Cherai is an excellent tourist beach destination in Asia,Kerala,India . It is a typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves in the vicinity. It is an enchanting stretch of endeveloped golden sand, with miles of beautiful backwater’s just 300m back from the seasore.The sandy, clean and shallow beach , evokes irresistible temptation for swimming and sunbathing .http://www.keralahotels24.com/cheraihotelsandsresorts.htm give more details about hotels in cherai Reply