ComputerHunter.org

 

Kerala ? Holiday in Gods Own Country


Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a lifetime by the National Geographic, Kerala has certainly earned its position on the holiday travel bandwagon.

Located on the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, Kerala has a lot going for it in terms of its potential as a holiday destination? not the least its bounteous natural wealth. Its name meaning "land of coconuts", Kerala's luxuriant fronds provide the state with welcome shade from the tropical sun. And blessed with ample rainfall, Kerala's equable climate and fertile soil have clothed this state in the finest of iridescent greens ? all ingredients for a perfect tropical holiday.

Kerala's lush plantations have remained an irresistible temptation for visitors from foreign lands since times immemorial. For earlier it was traders rather than holidaymakers who flocked to Kerala, lured by her spices. Today, visits to plantations growing cardamom, pepper and other exotic spices are on the holiday itineraries of most packages to Kerala.

Which brings us to Kerala's culinary enticements. Kerala has its own unique delectable cooking, quite distinct even amongst South Indian cuisine. Drawing largely on the local produce: rice, coconuts, bananas, fish and a range of spices, the culinary achievement of Kerala lies in the variations that attend the packaging of these staple ingredients to create an endless range of dishes for the gastronomically adventurous tourist: pulaos and biryanis, appams, pootu - rice dough and grated coconut steamed in hollow bamboo, thoran - chopped vegetables, avial ? stew topped with payasam ? the delicious sweet milk desert.

Kerala's extensive 900 km long coastline also means that it has some of the best beaches in India. Known for their gentle surf and clear blue waters, Kerala's tranquil beaches are eagerly sought out by holiday tourists, Indian and foreign. Kovalam, Varkala, Shankhumugam, Vizhinjam, Kappad and Bekal are some of the famous beaches of Kerala.

However, the cream of a Kerala holiday package, for most tourists, would undoubtedly be the backwaters. Tranquil and laid-back, these backwaters are a relic of Kerala's ancient network of floating highways. Indispensable in the past for trade and commerce, Kerala's backwaters continue to rake in revenue from the leisure holiday industry in return for the inimitable experience of a lazy boat cruise, as Kerala unplugged floats languidly by. Kuttanad, Alappuzha, Kottavam and Kochi are the most interesting for the perfect Kerala backwaters holidays.

And then there are the hills. The Western Ghats, extending from Maharashtra southwards, terminate in Kerala with the gently rolling hills and valleys that are home to the unique shola forests and tea, coffee and spice plantations - yet another holiday attraction in Kerala. Distinct in appeal from either the beaches or the backwaters, Kerala's hill stations with their mist filled valleys and cloud covered mountains offer perfect holiday bliss in the form of the invigorating mountain air, laden with the aroma of freshly picked spices. Nelliyampathy, Munnar, Devikulam, Peermade, and Malampuzha are some of the hill stations on the Kerala holiday circuit.

Kerala's hilly regions are also home to lush forests and streams, making them home to some of the most spectacular wildlife reserves in India. Besides the elephant, gaur, deer, leopard and tiger, Kerala is home to rare wildlife including Nilgiri tahr and lion tailed macaque, and most holiday packages to Kerala offer a date with this raw, untamed face of Kerala. Eranakulam, Silent Valley, Parambikulam, Peppara, Nagarhole and Periyar are especially famous for wildlife holidays in Kerala.

Besides, Kerala literally brims over with history and culture, amply visible all over during a holiday here, whether in its fantastic ancient temples, its unique art forms including Kathakali and Kalaripattu and festivals such as Pooram and Onam.

Blessed with a wealth of beauty and natural resources, it is not surprising that Kerala is home to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian Science of Health. Supported by a salubrious climate, Kerala is home to a number of health spas and Wellness centres where tourists experience a rejuvenating holiday in God's own country.

Kerala truly is a holiday paradise in India

Roozbegh Gazdar Content Writer http://www.traveljini.com seo@traveljini.com







Google News - Top Stories

Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.1%
New York Times - 43 minutes ago
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM The unemployment rate jumped to 6.1 percent in August, its highest level in five years, pushing the job troubles of American workers onto the political stage as the presidential campaign enters its final eight weeks.
Jobless rate at 5-year high Reuters
Bonds rise on labor woes CNNMoney.com
Wall Street Journal - Bloomberg - MarketWatch - guardian.co.uk
all 773 news articles


Sydney Morning Herald

McCain, Obama Vie For 'Reformist' Mantle
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Jonathan Weisman When Sen. John McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate last week, he declared they would "beat the long odds to win a tough election on a message of reform and integrity.
Video: McCain: Change Is Coming CBS
Republicans: Obama is 'more of the same' Boston Globe
guardian.co.uk - Salon - Taipei Times - AFP
all 1,141 news articles


Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

Rice lands in Libya on historic visit
CNN International - 1 hour ago
Rice will hold a landmark meeting with leader Moammar Gadhafi, once dubbed by President Ronald Reagan as "the mad dog the Middle East.
Video: Inside Story - Rice visits Libya - 03 Sep 08 - Part 1 AlJazeeraEnglish
Gaddafi welcomes 'darling Leezza Times Online
AFP - BBC News - AllAfrica.com - Aljazeera.net
all 988 news articles


ABC News

Carolinas Brace for Tropical Storm
New York Times - 56 minutes ago
By KEVIN SACK WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - With wary eyes cast at Hurricane Ike farther out at sea, coastal Carolina residents on Friday morning prepared for gusting winds and torrential rain as Tropical Storm Hanna sped toward them.
Video: NC Gov.: Hanna Will Affect Most of the State AssociatedPress
Hanna Aims at US East Coast as Hurricane Ike Looms Behind Bloomberg
Bizjournals.com - National Geographic - StarNewsOnline.com - WLOS
all 2,586 news articles


Voice of America

New helmsman for Pakistan's war on terror
Christian Science Monitor - 55 minutes ago
By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor New Delhi - Saturday's presidential election in Pakistan looks set to put a nation coping with Al Qaeda and Taliban strongholds into the hands of Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistani Lawmakers Set to Elect Next President Voice of America
Pakistan parties begin final push for presidential votes AFP
BBC News - The Associated Press - CNN International - International Herald Tribune
all 1,392 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base