Kollam - a backwater alternative

Kollam town is only an hours drive from Varkala beach. If you want to travel south after Trivandrum - Varkala tour, then Kollam is the nearest and the most obvious choice.
Let us begin from Kollam town, by the side of lake Ashatamudi.

Adventure park in town is a popular picnic spot, where you could have some boat rides.

A bit of Chinese connection there. The park has some interesting sculptures too.

 Ashatamudi is the second largest lake in Kerala.

Here is a line up of boats in the lake-

A man fishing in the lake-

 

M.G Beach, the beach of the town -

M.G Park, just near the beach -

There are two other beaches near town. The first one is Thirumullavaram beach -

The other one is Thangasseri beach-

Scattered in Kollam district are several backwaters. One of the best ones is Munroe Island.

Alumkadavu, a backwater destination is the place where house boats are built. The house boat building yard-

Alumkadavu backwater, a house boat is waiting there.

Sasthamkotta is the place of the famous Sastha Temple.

Here is the slopping path by the side of the temple courtyard -

That path takes you to the expansive backwater.
Sasthamkotta is a small town beyond the grip of modern tourism. If you are ready to stay in some modest hotels, one or two peaceful days are up for grabs. Don't expect much, just plain strolls and backwater rides.

Most people have heard of Amma and Amritapuri. If you have no clue what I am talking about, Amma is a saint. She does a lot of charity work.
See how she has transformed the villages-

You could stay at Amritapuri, the Asharam of Amma.

There are some good backwaters in the region too. See tourists enjoying canoe rides-

Here is the temple at Kottukkal. Interesting because it is cut out of rock.

Oachira is a pilgrimage place. The idols are placed under banyan trees, instead of being inside the sanctum. You won't find any sanctum because there isn't any.

A decorated bull at Oachira, one of the rituals-

The shops have good display of lamps (Nilavilakku), artefacts and utensils.

One of the largest waterfalls in Kerala is Palaruvi. It dries up in summer. See how it is about to be died up-

Thenmala, the eco tourism destination, is a crowd puller. Thenmala has a range of activities-

Thenmala dam is a great sight from above -

The forests continue with the protected territories of Chendrunni Wildlife Sanctuary-

Read more about Kollam

Find us on Facebook

Eravikulam National Park

 Eravikulam National Park - to visit or not to visit? A decision to be made as a part of Munnar holidays.
Eravikulam is the protective zone of an endangered species of mountain goat. It is also part of Anamudi, the largest peak in South India.

For those who are not curious of the goats, the saving grace is the scenery. A wet and cool experience awaits at the mountain top, if you happen to be there during monsoon.

 Mist has its roaming presence, except for summer.

 

 You will have to leave your vehicles and take their bus-

 Here is the look out-

 The flower shown in the picture below is Strobilanthus. It is a plant that likes to take things easy. It flowers only in every twelve years!

 Here comes our guy! Or may be gal!

 

These goats are seen only in this part of the world. And bulk of them are in Eravikulam Park. The park has around 830 of them, as per 2011 estimate by officials. Because of the protective environment of the park, their numbers have gone up in the last few decades.

 At Eravikulam, their well being is taken seriously. For example, the park is closed during their birthing season (February - March). The calves are vulnerable and hence needs protection from disturbances.

 Anamudi is a great sight.

 Forests surround the region.

 One of the best places to visit is Lakkom waterfall.

 The story-

 Here is the entrance to the waterfall-

And the waterfall, small and pretty. Great shade around to relax at the falls.

 Read more about Eravikulam National Park

Find us on Facebook

Vagamon - the place of perfect pictures

Kottayam has a few hill stations. Two of the good ones are Vagamon and Ilaveezha Poonchira.
Vagamon is a place where pictures talk at least a thousand words.

 There are big hills -

There are also hilly blobs-

 Of course, the green hills are pretty. What about the rugged terrains?
Have a look-

The road to Vagamon has some interesting twists and turns.

Its not just hills and rocks every where. The soil is fertile and the plantations are thick.

 

 And there are a few buildings too.

 There are tiny waterfalls here and there. This is one of them-

 Pretty, isn't it?

Read more about Vagamon

Find us on Facebook