Separated
from the rest of the Indian sub-continent by the hills of the western Ghats,
the southern state of Kerala has been more influenced by the arrival of Arab
and Chinese traders from the sea than by the attentions of the rest of their
own country.A land of spices, ivory and the sandalwood tree - beautiful long white beaches and sandy coves, with a backdrop of palm trees waving seductively in the cooling sea breezes - rustling walls of palm leaf huts - fishermen using dugout canoes and Chinese fishing nets.
With its world class hotels, this lush, green state at India's southern tip has become a favourite with western visitors. The cosmopolitan outlook of the Keralans, following their contact with visitors from overseas for centuries and their easy going attitude to life, adds to the great feeling of welcome experienced by all visitors to this coastline.
And, as if the beaches were not inducement enough to visit this beautiful land, the famous back waters entice and lure all comers into the hidden vistas of the inland lagoons, overhung with even more palm trees and full of the most wonderfully coloured birds and flowers. A boat trip through these lovely waterways is an experience of a lifetime - and it is included in your holiday price to make sure you don't miss it! (Full day excursion to Kollam and the inland lagoons)
Following your flight to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), we take you straight to the wonderful beaches of Kovalam and your hotel, so that you can instantly begin to relax and unwind and get 'into the mood' for the rest of your stay here.
Kovallam
is not one long continuous beach, but two coves separated by a headland.
sWhilst these beaches are busy with both western tourists and, at weekends,
local visitors, a short distance back from the beaches, the local population
carry on as they have always done. Here you can see plantations of mango,
papaya, bananas, coconuts, rice paddies and vegetables - some of which you
will never find in your local supermarket! When you tire of lying on a
beach, as short stroll through the palm groves and into this area is both
cooling, and gives you another view of life in this exotic land.A day trip to Trivandrum - the City of the Sacred Snake - is always interesting, with its red tile roofed buildings jumbled together to make a maze of lanes and streets that are a delight to explore. The city is built on seven green and wooded hills, and their gentleness appears to have pervaded even the temperament of the people, who conduct their affairs with a minimum of fuss. If you bargain here you will find it a much calmer business than in other parts of India.
Day trips to other parts of this wonderful coastline are easily arranged, and with 14 days at your disposal you have the time, if you have the inclination! Hot, lazy days and warm, tropical nights combine to create the perfect atmosphere and a holiday you will always remember.