Nature Calling – Part 2

KERALA is my second most favorite place. I went  for my honeymoon there. it’s really worth seeing once. Its full of natural beauty again but this time very cool greenery all around. Tea plantation is done very nicely as you really feel like ‘god’s own country’.

Munnar is a very nice place where you can visit tea factory. The journey of Cochin to Munnar is full of tea plantation at the both sides of the road. This is one of the hill stations in kerala. So the climate is cold. The other places you must see in there are Allpey, Tekdi where you can see their cultural programs, dance and also experience the elephant ride.

Never forget to experience the overnight houseboat stay when you will be there.  Your journey of houseboat starts at 12 in the noon and ends at 9 in next morning. Throughout the day, just experience the nature …backwater…drive you boat..…enjoy your privacy n all…By the eve, they park the boat at one side and cook for you as per you demand. Of course, the menu is limited but still you can ask them to cook by your choice.  Experience a night with a piece and

Have a look on some more information on the same…

Climate : With 120–140 rainy days per year, Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon. In eastern Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. Kerala’s rainfall averages 3,107 mm (122 in.) annually. Some of Kerala’s drier lowland regions average only 1,250 mm (49 in.); the mountains of eastern Idukki district receive more than 5,000 mm (197 in.) of orographic precipitation, the highest in the state.

During summer, Kerala is prone to gale force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level. The mean daily temperatures range from 19.8 °C to 36.7 °C.Mean annual temperatures range from 25.0–27.5 °C in the coastal lowlands to 20.0–22.5 °C in the eastern highlands

Culture: Kerala’s culture is derived from both a Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Kerala’s culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures. Native performing arts include koodiyattom (a 2000-year-old Sanskrit theatre tradition, officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity^[165]), kathakali—from katha (“story”) and kali(“performance”)—and its offshoot Kerala natanam, Kaliyattam -(North Malabar special), koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam (“dance of the enchantress”), Theyyam, thullal NS padayani. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are widely recognized Indian Classical Dance traditions from Kerala.

Food : Coconuts grow in abundance in Kerala, and consequently, coconut kernel, (sliced or grated) coconut cream and coconut milk are widely used in dishes for thickening and flavoring. Kerala’s long coastline, numerous rivers and backwater networks, and strong fishing industry have contributed to many sea and river food based dishes. Rice and cassava (Tapioca) form the staple food of Kerala. All main dishes are made with them and served along with Kootan; the side dishes which may be made from vegetables, meat, fish or a mix of all of them. The main dish for lunch and dinner is boiled rice. The Kerala breakfast shows a rich variety; the main dishes for which are made from rice flour, or fresh or dried cassava. Owing to the weather and the availability of spices, the Kerala cuisine is richly spicy especially the hot ones -chilly, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.

Tourism : Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. Cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode are popular centres for their shopping and traditional theatrical performances respectively. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram is conducted, attracting foreign tourists who are largely drawn by the festival’s elephants and celebrants.The main pilgrim tourist spots of Kerala are Sabarimala Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram), Guruvayoor Temple, Chettikulangara Temple, Vadakumnathan Temple (Thrissur), Sarkara Devi Temple, Padanilam Parabrahma Temple(Oachira), Beemapally mosque, Malayattor Church and Parumala Church.

Please refer : http://gods-own-country.info/ for more information.

We had customized our tour by Inspire Kerala holidays tours and travels. They organized our tour well. They provided us a driver cum tour guide. Their hotels were also good. I will recommend this travel company to plan your holidays.

I will come up with me last but not the least favorite place in my next post…till then,, enjoy and take care.. 🙂