[laluks]

It had been a long while since I was arguing with myself over writing this log. Priorities had changed a lot, and life moved on refusing to listen to my inner self wanting to do things I cherish. The most precious thing in life - TIME, is still at a premium.

Prologue

Though I lived in Trivandrum for almost 24 years, was never able to make it to places around Trivandrum even for a bike trip. All I had done was a bike trip to Ponmudi. It's a shock to me that I had not even been to Kovalam. One reason then was I was never a travel freak, second reason was that I had my hands full with my electronics hobby which I passionately pursued with my friend all the way till I went for my professional studies. Later sometime, we moved to Bangalore and in the trips to Trivandrum subsequently it was just returning home.

Some time in 2005, my wifey touched the hidden passion within me - the passion to travel. Then onwards a lot of trips happened. It was a hidden dream that I discovered and I can't thank my wifey enough for finding it in me.

One fine day I stumbled upon TBHP, searching for some information on some destinations. It had everything, from details of route to pictures of the wonderful places. The discussions were mostly informative and left in me a desire to join the community. Membership was granted and gave the community some travelogues in return to the information I had thanklessly taken from them. My active online membership is limited to TBHP and a prominent social networking site. I have got many a friends from TBHP, active online friends who still hide behind their fancy handles and to real friendship on ground with many family meets happening quite often. The only passion uniting us - travel, and TBHP provided the right platform to share.

One fine day, my dear friend and long lost classmate from school, Nutty Nair started writing about Trivandrum. I was amazed at the passion he had in discovering the place we lived for such a long time. Then onwards trips back to Trivandrum were just not a home coming. I wanted to see around the place I lived for a major part. Thank you Nutty for igniting that spirit.

This log is a collection of at least 4 travels which had been done to Trivandrum from May 2010 till May 2011.

Trip 1, May 01, 2010 to May 03, 2010 - Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Marthandam (Thriparappu Falls) - Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Bangalore
Trip 2, June 12, 2010 to June 13, 2010 - Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Marthandam (Padmanabhapuram Palace) - Trivandrum - Punalur - Shencottah - Tenkasi - Bangalore
Trip 3, October 15, 2010 to October 18, 2010 - Bangalore - Tenkasi - Courtallum - Palaruvi - Tenmala - Trivandrum - Poovar - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Bangalore
Trip 4, May 04, 2011 to May 08, 2011 - Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Poovar - Trivandrum - Neyyar - Nagercoil - Bangalore

All these trips I wanted to visit Poovar, and it was only on the third trip I was able to make it. Once we've been to Poovar in October 2010, the beauty called us back and we visited her a second time in May 2011.


Poovar

Poovar is a beautiful tiny coastal village near Trivandrum, the south tip of Kerala. It is here that the 56KM long Neyyar river reaches her destination, the Arabian Sea. The back waters and the pristine beaches makes Poovar a paradise. In fact it is simply out of this world!


I was amazed on knowing how the place got its name. Marthanda Varma Maharaja was fascinated seeing the red kovala flowers from the trees near the river floating on the river like a red carpet. He called the river Poo (flower) Aaru (river), which coined to form Poovar!! How I wish I could see such a beautiful sight.

Though this travelogue is predominantly about Poovar, the other destinations are all nearby, so worth a mention together.

[laluks]

Some teasers before I start with the log.

The beautiful NH7




Kanyakumari (Cape Comerin)


Vatta Kottai (Circular Fort) at Kanyakumari


Padmanabhapuram Palace


Light House at Kovalam Eve's beach


Kovalam Grove Beach


Tiny Lobster we had at Kovalam


She's got the look - Lioness at Neyyar


Miss Beautiful Smile


Standoff


Hanging Bridge, Punalur


13 Arch Bridge, Pathimoonnu Kannara Palam


Thenmala Dam


Tenkasi Temple


Five Falls, Courtallam

[laluks]

Some more from Poovar

Neyyar river and the beach of Arabian Sea


Start of an amazing boat trip


Back water trip






Floating Cottages at Poovar




Boatman taking a couple


Clouds hanging over Arabian Sea


Sunset at Poovar


Estuary - Neyyar River joining Arabian Sea


Poovar Island Resort where we stayed




Some birding experiments from my 200-500

Crane


Bee Eater


Hawk


Formation Flying

[laluks]

Trip 1 - May 01, 2010 to May 03, 2010
This was a quick weekend drive to our home in Trivandrum to celebrate Jr. PPG's birthday on Sunday, May 02, 2010

Day 01 - May 01, 2010
Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Thripparappu - Trivandrum

We started by 00:00AM from Bangalore and took the beautiful NH7 via Nagercoil to Trivandrum.

Beautiful NH7






We reached Kanyakumari by 08:00AM. Bangalore Kanyakumari is around 670Kms.

PPGs at Kanyakumari



Some Kanyakumari pictures














Thiruvalluvar statue and Vivekanada rock


After spending some time at Kanyakumari we went on towards Trivandrum. Poovar is enroute, and since we had not much time on this drive gave it a go. But decided to stop by at Marthandam to visit Padmanabhapuram palace and Thripparappu falls.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - May 01, 2010
Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Thripparappu - Trivandrum

As it was May 1st, Padmanabhapuram Palace was closed. We drove towards Thripparappu falls. We reached the falls by 11:30AM.

We were greeted by this board


The falls never looked natural, due to all those concrete structures made out there. Why in the whole world they had to do such things?

Thripparappu waterfalls

The water overflows from here making the falls




View of the falls from below






The water from the falls flows down to a constructed tank and calls it a Swimming Pool!


Given the fact that everyones bathing with soap and other accessories under the falls, the guys in the swimming pool must be brave!

Spent just 15 minutes and drove to Trivandrum to reach home for lunch.

[laluks]

Day 02 - May 02, 2010
Trivandrum

It was Jr. PPG's birthday. She had a bash at home and loved every bit of attention she got on the day. Special breakfast and lunch for her from my mom made our day.

Decided to go out for dinner and we went to our favourite Mascot hotel.

Dinner


PPGs checking out a false well at Mascot hotel


After dinner we drove to Shangumugham beach and spent some good time.

Happy times at Shangumugham beach





We reached back home by 11:00PM and hit the bed.



Day 03 - May 03, 2010
Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Bangalore

We started from Trivandrum by 16:00PM. We reached Nagercoil by 18:00PM.

Some greenery enroute







We finally reached Bangalore by 02:00AM the next day.

[laluks]

Trip 2 - June 12, 2010 to June 13, 2010
This was a lightning weekend drive to Trivandrum to attend a marriage in the family on Sunday, June 13, 2010. Idea was to spend Saturday to sight see, attend the marriage on Sunday and return to Bangalore by earling morning of Monday. We reached Bangalore on early morning of Monday to catch some sleep and back to work!

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Bangalore - Kanyakumari - Marthandam - Trivandrum

As usual we started by 00:00AM from Bangalore and drove through the beautiful NH7

Day break some where in NH7




Kanya Kumari is still ahead. By 06:00AM we are still reaching Thirunelveli.


The truckers are a very disciplined lot


We stop by for a break and some stretching!


We love NH7












This colorful guy jumps accross and gives a mean look!


By 07:00AM Kanyakumari is still 60KM away


The NH7 ended here, and the connection to Kanyakumari was yet being done in June 2010. Still another 24KM to go.


Wind Mills. Views from the last 20Kms to Kanya Kumari.


We finally reached Kanyakumari by 08:00AM

continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Kanyakumari


Last trip we could not check out Vatta Kottai (Circular Fort). So we decide to make a visit

Vattakottai Entrance.


A Pool inside the fort


Beautifully kept lawns




Amazing trees








The Fort wall


The near by beach


Some structure inside the Fort




continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Kanyakumari

Jr. PPG loves the lawn

PPGs at Vattakottai

Girls day out - All three generations

Sr. PPG at the lawn

Wifey enjoying the breeze

Sr. PPG loves the ramp like structure!

PPGs having a stroll

Exiting the fort for a visit to the beach

Sr. PPG with my mom checking the still waters before the beach

Jr. PPG and Wifey checks out the beach

The wall of the Fort near the beach

After spending one hour at the fort and beach we reached the boat jetty by 09:00AM for a ride to Vivekananda rock.

continued....

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Kanyakumari

Civvy overlooking Thiruvalluvar statue at the jetty


Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekanada Rock


The queue for tickets for the boat


The wait for getting on the boat


A Church


Distant view of the church


Vivekanada Memorial as seen from the boat


A structure on Vivekanada's rock


Jr. PPG and Wifey in front of Vivekanada Memorial


Sr. PPG checking the memorial


A view of Kanyakumari beach from the rock


Thiruvalluvar statue




Finally we reached back the jetty by 11:00AM



Went to a nearby restaurant and had hot dosas and continued on our journey to Padmanabhapuram Palace

continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Padmanabhapuram Palace

This Palace was built in 1601AD. You can read more about the Palace here Padmanabhapuram Palace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Palace was in a sad state of affairs when we visited.

Though the Palace is in Tamil Nadu, the Palace belongs to Kerala Government.

The chair gets your notice once you are inside the Palace


A stone cot for cool sleep


Carvings on the roof


Our well read guide


Kuthira vilakku (Thookku Vilakku - the Hanging lamp)







This lamp is amazing. You can rotate it to any direction and it just stays at the direction you released.

Manthrashala - Council Chamber








Oottupura - Dining Hall




Wifey - Enjoying the Palace in rains!


Pillar made of a single piece of wood


Carvings on the roof



continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Padmanabhapuram Palace

PPGs enjoying the rain in the Palace courtyard


The Palace


Stone weight - Story says if you can lift this stone, they you are selected to the Kings army.


The Palace


Uppirikka maliga


Cot made of some 60+ medicinal woods




Carvings on the roof


Sr. PPG checking out a corridor


Armoury and Watch Tower


Ambari Mukhappu




Indra Vilasam


Jr. PPG at Indra Vilasam


Sr. PPG at Indra Vilasam


The Palace




continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Padmanabhapuram Palace

Some views from the garden - Swaying coconut tree


Up tall


Parijatham Flower - smells lovely




Colourful bug on hibiscus bud






Navarathri Mandapam






Kannadithara - Mirror floor


Stone carvings


Clock Tower


The Palace






Front view


continued...

[laluks]

Day 01 - June 12, 2010
Padmanabhapuram Palace

Some sculptures kept at the Archaelogical Museum housed in Thekke Kottaram (Southern Palace)































We started by 14:00PM from the Palace to Trivandrum. Reached Trivandrum by 16:00PM. Had a relaxed evening at home.

[laluks]

Day 02 - June 13, 2010
Trivandrum - Kottarakkara - Punalur - Shenkota - Thirunelveli - Bangalore

Attended the marriage and started from Trivandrum by 14:00PM. Reached Kottarakkara by 15:30PM. Visited wifey's granny there and started by 17:00PM.

Reached Punalur by 18:00PM. Stopped by the Hanging Bridge, which is now a protected monument.


The bridge was built in 1877


Punalur Hanging Bridge




















After some clicks we continued towards Shenkotta.

continued...