Somatheeram - My favorite monthly getaway. With Pics!!

VJ_MAVRICK · 9th June 2008, 11:01

Very nice and awesome getaway and definitely the beaches and the greenery are a must to watch out for and visit. Nice writeup and pics there Srijit.

greenhorn · 9th June 2008, 11:14

casa bianca is a superb place! and the beach, i remember vaguely. I've gone there sometime last year

akroy · 9th June 2008, 12:05

Excellent pics Srijit !! The place looks awesome during monsoons.

Abhi

Mistakenguy · 9th June 2008, 12:24

It's a pity that I've not been able to visit this place inspite of spending 22 years here . BTW Excellent pics Srijit !!!

Destination for the day after my exams finish have been fixed . Chowwara !! Here I come !!!

redfire · 9th June 2008, 13:59

Oye, you didn't give a hint that you are gonna drive to Travancore Heritage. A rian drive to that place in the afternoon would be too good. Anyway good write up and nice pics.

jkdas · 9th June 2008, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by srijit

My sister wanted to go to a restaurant called Casa Bianca. It is run by an Italian lady and they serve authentic Italian Pizza(thin), Pasta and Pastries.
They also have Indian food, but I have never given that a try.
No photos of the pizza, but some of the interior. I really like the clean and simple look of this place.

However it beats the crowds at Kovalam and Shanghumugham beach hands down. No choice for any eats though.

Good job pal.
Pix could have been better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

Casa Bianca is the best eatery in whole of Trivandrum and a trip down from Cochin just for a pasta/Lasagna there is worth it. Done it many a times. Ask JK etc.. about the meets we had there.

The resort we see in the background is Manaltheeram. We've had a team-bhp meet there before.

Keep 'em coming. Your pics are just toooooo good!

Awesome location it was; Manaltheeram.

Next time you guys go to Casa, say you are Zak's friend

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfire

Oye, you didn't give a hint that you are gonna drive to Travancore Heritage. A rian drive to that place in the afternoon would be too good. Anyway good write up and nice pics.

Heard Travancore is a superb place. One of the best in Asia, is it?

redfire · 9th June 2008, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Heard Travancore is a superb place. One of the best in Asia, is it?

Yes a good place it is. Had been there 2-3 times, couple of times for office partys and once stayed in a cottage with family for 2 days.

srijit · 9th June 2008, 15:03

Casa Bianca pics were screwed because I had to shoot without flash. When I used flash the pics became too bright. I wanted the photos to remain a bit dark

Exploiting Zak's name to get a better rate? Done!!!

@redfire: This trip was totally unexpected

benbsb29 · 9th June 2008, 15:04

Srijit, nice pics. And it nice to see non-corwded beaches. Usually, all beaches are really crowded, and you never feel that you have gotten away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

NaTuRe · 17th June 2008, 09:03

WoW!.

Too tempting. Will be visiting the beach within the next one year. Please share the exact directions or route map to reach there.

srijit · 17th June 2008, 10:40

Travel along the NH47 bypass road towards Kovalam. Then instead of turning towards Kovalam, continue straight. Follow the Somatheeram resort signs.

There are 2 ways that I know of to get to the beach. One is to go to the Somatheeram or Manaltheeram resort, park your cars inside and walk through the resort to the beach. I dont know if they will allow that during tourist season time.

So what I do is the 2nd way. Instead of turning right to the resorts, I continue down the road for about 3.5 kms. There is a small junction with shops. When you see that slow down as the right turn you need to take is almost hidden. If you miss it just reverse and look for it on the left side. Go down that small narrow road, (hoping to avoid the rare bus) until you see a small crossroad with a bridge on the right. Go through that bridge and you can pass straight through a little village. Go straight till you reach the last church and you can see the beach. You can either park you car on the tarmac or you can take it to the end of the untarred road, if the road is not too wet. I've not dared to find out if I can get out on the wet muddy road.

You have now reached the Chowwara beach

The right side of the beach has got beach chairs which you can rent for about 150Rs per day. Its not pro-rated so do make sure that you can sit there for sometime. I think you get the chair, umbrella, towel and cushion.

I havent wandered too far off to the left side of the beach, but it extends well for a pretty good distance.

Hope this helps

9th June 2008, 11:01	#16
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,239 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Very nice and awesome getaway and definitely the beaches and the greenery are a must to watch out for and visit. Nice writeup and pics there Srijit.
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 11:14	#17
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,399 Times View My Garage	casa bianca is a superb place! and the beach, i remember vaguely. I've gone there sometime last year
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 12:05	#18
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Excellent pics Srijit !! The place looks awesome during monsoons. Abhi
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 12:24	#19
Mistakenguy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 188 Thanked: 84 Times	It's a pity that I've not been able to visit this place inspite of spending 22 years here . BTW Excellent pics Srijit !!! Destination for the day after my exams finish have been fixed . Chowwara !! Here I come !!!
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 13:59	#20
redfire BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 449 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Oye, you didn't give a hint that you are gonna drive to Travancore Heritage. A rian drive to that place in the afternoon would be too good. Anyway good write up and nice pics.
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 15:03	#23
srijit BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 598 Thanked: 8 Times	Casa Bianca pics were screwed because I had to shoot without flash. When I used flash the pics became too bright. I wanted the photos to remain a bit dark Exploiting Zak's name to get a better rate? Done!!! @redfire: This trip was totally unexpected
	() Thanks

9th June 2008, 15:04	#24
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,218 Times View My Garage	Srijit, nice pics. And it nice to see non-corwded beaches. Usually, all beaches are really crowded, and you never feel that you have gotten away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
	() Thanks

17th June 2008, 09:03	#25
NaTuRe BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 30 Thanked: 64 Times	WoW!. Too tempting. Will be visiting the beach within the next one year. Please share the exact directions or route map to reach there.
	() Thanks

17th June 2008, 10:40	#26
srijit BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 598 Thanked: 8 Times	Travel along the NH47 bypass road towards Kovalam. Then instead of turning towards Kovalam, continue straight. Follow the Somatheeram resort signs. There are 2 ways that I know of to get to the beach. One is to go to the Somatheeram or Manaltheeram resort, park your cars inside and walk through the resort to the beach. I dont know if they will allow that during tourist season time. So what I do is the 2nd way. Instead of turning right to the resorts, I continue down the road for about 3.5 kms. There is a small junction with shops. When you see that slow down as the right turn you need to take is almost hidden. If you miss it just reverse and look for it on the left side. Go down that small narrow road, (hoping to avoid the rare bus) until you see a small crossroad with a bridge on the right. Go through that bridge and you can pass straight through a little village. Go straight till you reach the last church and you can see the beach. You can either park you car on the tarmac or you can take it to the end of the untarred road, if the road is not too wet. I've not dared to find out if I can get out on the wet muddy road. You have now reached the Chowwara beach The right side of the beach has got beach chairs which you can rent for about 150Rs per day. Its not pro-rated so do make sure that you can sit there for sometime. I think you get the chair, umbrella, towel and cushion. I havent wandered too far off to the left side of the beach, but it extends well for a pretty good distance. Hope this helps
	() Thanks