What to see in Kerala?

RX135 · 8th March 2006, 16:09

In a hastily planned affair, I'll be visiting Kerala with friends and family next week. I was/am pretty much tied up with work and was not certain till a day back if I would be joining others

Fixed itinerary is given below:

Panvel - Trichur - Guruvaur - Kochin - Munnar - Kochin - Trivendrum - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari - Trivendrum - Panvel.

So fellow T-BHPians, pour in your thoughts on what is to visited and what should be avoided. Any help will be appreciated!

P.S.: Everyone at home unanimously defeated my proposal to take the car. Now, I have to enjoy coastal beauty by peeping out of train windows. Another big

tsk1979 · 8th March 2006, 16:11

You forgot Waynad in the north. And if travelling by train, take the konkan route

major · 8th March 2006, 17:10

Going to Gods own country!! Trust me you will remember this trip.
Remember to take a nice camera with loads of memory, you will need it.

Well I suggest if you are going to Trichur(my native place) in April, visit Vadakkunnathan Temple, you can see Trissur Pooram (Very famous) also 30 elephants procession, worth watching.
Also have lots of coconut water , very cheap, every house has atlest 3-4 coconut trees.For adrenalin boost, travel by the local private bus, in front seat if possible, every driver thinks he is Michael Schumacher, and his bus as his ferrari. Believe you will remember all your GODS, if lucky you will also participate in a race, if your bus happens to be in a race with another pvt bus.(I hope you got my piont), If you are not travelling in a Pvt bus and if your vehicle sees another bus please let him pass, you wont regret later.Now Trissur / Trichur just like (Mumbai/Bombay) is a paradise for people who like gold, lots and lots of gold jewellery showrooms in every corner .]Last time visited my native place was 4 years back, Born and bought up in Mumbai.If I have missed any thing , Mallus in this forum will help.
ENJOY

Steeroid · 8th March 2006, 18:34

Like Majo says, DONT miss a drive on a private bus, preferably sitting somewhere in front (they're ladies seats, though!). Travel from Trichur to Guruvayur by bus, and when you go to the bus station wait till you get two buses leaving simultaneously.

Get into any one of the two (preferably the one behind), and have the ride of your life.

karthik247 · 8th March 2006, 18:49

When in Guruvayur, visit this place (i don't remember the name) cuz there are arnd a 100 elephants there. If u've got kids they'll love it.

And as Steeroid said, u'll can also get a roller coaster ride if u want on a private bus from Trichur to Guruvayur. I've nver been on one, but they've got a pretty good reputation to set speed records.

RX135 · 8th March 2006, 19:36

First, thanks a ton for your help! I'll keep these tips in mind.

Getting on private bus seems unlikely since private vehicle is booked already for local transport.

jkdas · 8th March 2006, 20:45

Boss; a cruise on a house boat a must at Alapuzha ( Its b/w Kochi and Trivandrum) . I think its 5k for 24hr including food. Psstt. Toddy

Would you be staying at Tvm? How abt a meet?

And carry an umberalla. donno when it would rain.

MalluDude · 8th March 2006, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by karthik247

When in Guruvayur, visit this place (i don't remember the name) cuz there are arnd a 100 elephants there. If u've got kids they'll love it.

Punnathoor Kotta...Definitely worth a visit.

jkdas · 8th March 2006, 21:08

Its festive at most temples and you would be able to see a lot of elephants piggy riding in trucks etc.

And its always easy to track the route an elephant took.

@ Kochi :Food at Avenue regent and Avenue centre are excellent

Steeroid · 8th March 2006, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

Getting on private bus seems unlikely since private vehicle is booked already for local transport.

Let the family go by the private transport. You take the bus - every true BHPian must do so...

If you want a houseboat, let me know.

Maybe we can finally have that Kerala Meet...with a guest!

RX135 · 29th March 2006, 14:32

Sincere apologies to Steeroid, jkdas, MalluDude, karthik247, major for being an impolite guest, by not calling up and not attending Kerala T-BHP meet. Especially to Steeroid!

I was supposed to be carrying my laptop with all contacts, which was junked at the last moment for baggage, and the travel was pretty hectic, which didn't let me even check my mails from any cyber cafe :( Alright, I am not giving any excuses.

But, I loved Kerala all over. I was anticipating it to be something similar to Konkan (coastal Maharashtra). Well, it sure is, but only much greener and cleaner. People were nice and cooperating all over. And yes, I just loved the roads. Rarely saw any potholes or patches on the road. I wish, Pune has even half as good roads. Here, politicians give crap like "it rained a lot, digging up roads". Hell, they should go and check Kerala roads then.

Steeroid · 29th March 2006, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

Sincere apologies to Steeroid, jkdas, MalluDude, karthik247, major for being an impolite guest, by not calling up and not attending Kerala T-BHP meet. Especially to Steeroid!

No issues, pal. Its difficult to find time to meet people when you're a tourist, especially if you're travelling with family - we quite understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

And yes, I just loved the roads. Rarely saw any potholes or patches on the road. I wish, Pune has even half as good roads. Here, politicians give crap like "it rained a lot, digging up roads". Hell, they should go and check Kerala roads then.

Thank the Surface Transport minister Mr. Muneer. He's done some wonderful things to our roads over the last five years, with bridges being completed in record time, all roads being rubberized and even secondary and tertiary roads having smooth surfaces normally associated with highways. He is one of the reasons I want the current government to continue - I hope Kerala breaks the tradition of voting out the front in power everytime.

I assume you didnt get a private bus experience, then? You've missed something, but come to Goa and I'll give you a similar experience with a minibus - my dicor.

RX135 · 29th March 2006, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

I assume you didnt get a private bus experience, then?

I am very sure, I am missing something, but I found road manners of Kerala buses more civilised than than the Volvos/luxury buses and state transport buses plying on our roads here.

I forgot to mention one more thing. Neatly maintained cars. I hardly found any badly maintained off-color car on road. This is true especially for Northen Kerala (Trissur, Kochin/Ernakulam).

cus70 · 30th March 2006, 20:16

Don't forget to visit wayanaad. You can stay in calicut or kalpetta; one or two days would be adequate. Have a nice time.

RX135 · 30th March 2006, 20:27

Thanks for your suggestion, cus70, but I am already back from Kerala. It will be on my itinerary of next Kerala trip though.

8th March 2006, 16:09	#1
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 75 Times	What to see in Kerala? In a hastily planned affair, I'll be visiting Kerala with friends and family next week. I was/am pretty much tied up with work and was not certain till a day back if I would be joining others Fixed itinerary is given below: Panvel - Trichur - Guruvaur - Kochin - Munnar - Kochin - Trivendrum - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari - Trivendrum - Panvel. So fellow T-BHPians, pour in your thoughts on what is to visited and what should be avoided. Any help will be appreciated! P.S.: Everyone at home unanimously defeated my proposal to take the car. Now, I have to enjoy coastal beauty by peeping out of train windows. Another big Last edited by RX135 : 8th March 2006 at 16:11.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 16:11	#2
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	You forgot Waynad in the north. And if travelling by train, take the konkan route
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 17:10	#3
major BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 53 Thanked: 0 Times	Going to Gods own country!! Trust me you will remember this trip. Remember to take a nice camera with loads of memory, you will need it. Well I suggest if you are going to Trichur(my native place) in April, visit Vadakkunnathan Temple, you can see Trissur Pooram (Very famous) also 30 elephants procession, worth watching. Also have lots of coconut water , very cheap, every house has atlest 3-4 coconut trees.For adrenalin boost, travel by the local private bus, in front seat if possible, every driver thinks he is Michael Schumacher, and his bus as his ferrari. Believe you will remember all your GODS, if lucky you will also participate in a race, if your bus happens to be in a race with another pvt bus.(I hope you got my piont), If you are not travelling in a Pvt bus and if your vehicle sees another bus please let him pass, you wont regret later.Now Trissur / Trichur just like (Mumbai/Bombay) is a paradise for people who like gold, lots and lots of gold jewellery showrooms in every corner .]Last time visited my native place was 4 years back, Born and bought up in Mumbai.If I have missed any thing , Mallus in this forum will help. ENJOY Last edited by Aditya : 30th March 2006 at 22:04.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 18:34	#4
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Like Majo says, DONT miss a drive on a private bus, preferably sitting somewhere in front (they're ladies seats, though!). Travel from Trichur to Guruvayur by bus, and when you go to the bus station wait till you get two buses leaving simultaneously. Get into any one of the two (preferably the one behind), and have the ride of your life. Last edited by Steeroid : 8th March 2006 at 18:35.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 18:49	#5
karthik247 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR, HYD Posts: 2,710 Thanked: 30 Times	When in Guruvayur, visit this place (i don't remember the name) cuz there are arnd a 100 elephants there. If u've got kids they'll love it. And as Steeroid said, u'll can also get a roller coaster ride if u want on a private bus from Trichur to Guruvayur. I've nver been on one, but they've got a pretty good reputation to set speed records.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 19:36	#6
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 75 Times	First, thanks a ton for your help! I'll keep these tips in mind. Getting on private bus seems unlikely since private vehicle is booked already for local transport.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 20:45	#7
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Boss; a cruise on a house boat a must at Alapuzha ( Its b/w Kochi and Trivandrum) . I think its 5k for 24hr including food. Psstt. Toddy Would you be staying at Tvm? How abt a meet? And carry an umberalla. donno when it would rain.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 21:08	#9
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Its festive at most temples and you would be able to see a lot of elephants piggy riding in trucks etc. And its always easy to track the route an elephant took. @ Kochi :Food at Avenue regent and Avenue centre are excellent
	() Thanks

29th March 2006, 14:32	#11
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 75 Times	Sincere apologies to Steeroid, jkdas, MalluDude, karthik247, major for being an impolite guest, by not calling up and not attending Kerala T-BHP meet. Especially to Steeroid! I was supposed to be carrying my laptop with all contacts, which was junked at the last moment for baggage, and the travel was pretty hectic, which didn't let me even check my mails from any cyber cafe :( Alright, I am not giving any excuses. But, I loved Kerala all over. I was anticipating it to be something similar to Konkan (coastal Maharashtra). Well, it sure is, but only much greener and cleaner. People were nice and cooperating all over. And yes, I just loved the roads. Rarely saw any potholes or patches on the road. I wish, Pune has even half as good roads. Here, politicians give crap like "it rained a lot, digging up roads". Hell, they should go and check Kerala roads then.
	() Thanks

30th March 2006, 20:16	#14
cus70 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CALICUT; KERALA Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	Don't forget to visit wayanaad. You can stay in calicut or kalpetta; one or two days would be adequate. Have a nice time.
	() Thanks

30th March 2006, 20:27	#15
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 75 Times	Thanks for your suggestion, cus70, but I am already back from Kerala. It will be on my itinerary of next Kerala trip though.
	() Thanks