Kerala: I Am Not Done With You
Overview
Popularly known as “God’s own Country”, Kerala is one of the beautiful states of India that offers a wide variety of flora and fauna. Many Bollywood movies are filmed in this beautiful state. Pleasant climate, serene beaches, hill stations, backwaters, lush greenery all are so beautiful that you would like to visit there again and again.
I can visit you, again and again, Kerala, I am not done with you. This thought always comes to my mind whenever I think about my trips to this beautiful state of India. I have been there twice but still seems like there is so much left to explore. If you have ever visited Kerala then you can understand what I am trying to tell you. I mean, can you imagine a single state can give you a variety of wonderful experiences - storybook landscapes, idyllic beaches, delicious culinary experience, amazing cultural experience and encounters with friendly people. Truth be told, Kerala is a pride and a real gem when it comes to Indian tourism. Travellers visit this state from all over the world and couldn’t stop themselves to appreciate the beauty, tranquillity, and culture of this part of India.
Why Kerala is popular among travellers
While living abroad, I was surprised to know that how popular and well-known few places are in India among travellers. Delhi, Kerala, and Varanasi are the ones that everyone wants to visit or know about them.
It’s not feasible to visit every place in any country. When it comes to visiting India, travellers have to choose popular ones that give them the opportunity to understand Indian culture better. No wonder, Kerala always secures its place in their India travel itinerary. It is like a visit to India is not going to be complete without visiting Kerala. Here are few topmost reasons for Kerala’s popularity:
- People say if want to enjoy beaches visit Goa, but Kerala also has some beautiful unspoiled beaches that you should visit once.
- Cleanliness and friendly people. Visit Kerala and you will be surprised to see how clean popular tourist places are. You will also love hospitality and welcoming people of Kerala.
- Amazing food, no need to mention Kerala food is something you must try once.
- Kerala backwaters, you will fall in love immediately, the moment you see those floating houseboats.
- Cultural experience, Kerala offers unique culture experience to travellers.
- This state is famous for its spices and herbs, unique eco-tourism, magnificent architecture and Ayurvedic treatments that no other state of India offers.
- Sprawling tea plantation of Munnar is a must experience in Kerala.
- Best part of visiting Kerala is locals can understand and even speak English. There is no language issue for travelers there.
Must-visit places of Kerala
If you want to experience everything mentioned above then these are must-visit places of Kerala:
Alleppy
Backwaters of Alleppy is the most famous tourist attraction of Kerala, and it is also called “Venice of the East” due to the lakes, lagoon, and freshwater rivers.
Kovalam Beach, Trivendram
Kovalam beach, Kerala
This Beach is among the world’s most famous beaches. ‘Kovalam’ is a word from the Malayalam language that means ‘coconut trees grow like a shrub’. Small forests of coconut trees can be seen here in abundance. This beach is home to Vizhinjam Lighthouse and is known for its sunset view.
Munnar
Tea Plantation, Munnar
I won’t be wrong to say that this hill station of Kerala is amongst the most sought out travel destinations in the world. Its overall view, including the tea plantations, beautifully designed towns, rare flora and fauna, massive peaks, and dams, make it the perfect destination for an extended vacation as well.
Kochi
Kochi is an amazing port city in Kerala. Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city also flaunts one of the finest natural harbours of the world and was the centre of the world spice trade for many centuries.
Kannur
Kannur is an absolute hidden gem. This place offers some incredible beaches, fantastic food, and absolutely amazing culture.
Varkala
This is the only place in Kerala where you can find cliffs by the Arabian Sea. Varkala’s most prominent attractions are its beaches, and the most popular of them is Varkala Beach.
Idukki
This is one of the greenest districts of Kerala. Idukki is loved for its wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantation centres, and best mountain treks.
Munroe Island
Located about 27 km from Kollam, Munroe Island is a hidden pearl in the backwaters which is composed of a cluster of 8 islands. Some of this island’s main attractions are the narrow waterways, canal cruise, and the famous Kallada Boat Race held here during the Onam season.
Thiruvanthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala. This city is popular for its ancient temples that are renowned for their architecture which makes it one of the most visited pilgrim centres of India.
Thekkady
If you are a nature lover and someone who rejoices interacting with wildlife and boating then Thekkady is definitely worth a visit. Nestled in the heart of the protected jungle area, the alluring Thekkady or Periyar Lake is famous for its wide variety of wildlife.
My Travel tips
Like other travellers, Kerala impressed me too. Here are few tips to enjoy your visit:
- The best time to plan your Kerala trip is between October and March. Tourism peak season runs from mid-December to January. During this period you can expect high prices and limited availability on some accommodation and experiences.
- Do not forget to try authentic Kerala food
- Include Kerala backwaters in your itinerary.
- Kerala is a clean state and it demands you to be a mindful green traveler and help this state to maintain it beauty.
- Do your research before planning your trip. Every place has few specialities that you do not want to miss out.
- I would suggest to book a tour package that fits your budget and preference, if you are not an experienced traveller.
My Experience
As I have already mentioned earlier that I got the chance to visit Kerala twice. My first visit was a well-planned trip and we were able to cover the most popular places like Kochi, Munnar, Alleppy, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram city.
We spent at least one day at each place and had an amazing experience of accommodation, food, and sightseeing. Needless to say, the Alleppy houseboat experience was the best among them.
My second visit was an amazing road trip to Wayanad. I was amazed to see the greenery along the way. This was the place where I had the best Kerala authentic food that I still cherish. You can read my Wayanad road trip experience here.
Tea plantations of Wayanad
Conclusion
Popularly known as “God’s own Country”, Kerala is one of the beautiful states of India that offers a wide variety of flora and fauna. Many Bollywood movies are filmed in this beautiful state. Pleasant climate, serene beaches, hill stations, backwaters, lush greenery all are so beautiful that you would like to visit there again and again.
Have you ever visited Kerala? Let me know your experience in the comment section.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with VoxBox and Journery Matters.
See Also
- Disney World: The Most Magical Place On The Earth
- The Great Smoky Mountains: It Is Not Just Mountains
- My Travel Experiences: MyFriendAlexa2021 Theme
