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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Kerala Calling!

This post is a part of Skyscanner travel wizard activity at BlogAdda.com

To say that I am crazy about travelling would not be an exaggeration, for it is something that I always dream and plan about. Travelling not only keeps us happy and contented but also prevents a very important issue- stagnancy of thoughts, and it elevates our mental level apart from giving us valuable experiences to share and recall in later years. I believe that stagnancy rots and people who do not travel and gain new experiences and wisdom often spend the precious years of their lives living in a peep-hole world with their limited wisdom and opinions. 

Skyscanner is an amazing website that can help immensely in travel planning.


When we hear the word ‘travel’ or are asked to plan a trip, the usual destinations that cross our minds are those abroad but I think, our India is no less in beauty and magnificence that must be explored first. So, for this trip that I am going to plan with a budget of a lakh of Rupees, I will choose the beautiful land of Kerala. Another thing is that I like travelling with friends esp. when I am set to explore faraway places, so I will plan a trip for two adults. 

First of all, it is important to know a little history of the place you are travelling to. Kerala was formed as an official state on November 1st 1956 by joining all the Malyalam speaking towns spread over a total area of 38,863 square kilometers. It is the 12th largest state of India by population and has 14 districts. However, this area has great importance since ancient times, for it has been a major commercial and spice hub since 3000 BC. Another thing that Kerala boasts is the highest literacy rate of cent percent and highest 'Human Development Index'! Awesome! The word Kerala is derived from ‘Kera’, that means coconut in Mayalam language. Another feather in Kerala’s cap is the safety it offers to tourists! Is it not lucrative enough for two girls traveling alone! Broadly, God’s own country is divided into five major parts namely- Malabar, Central Kerala, South Travancore, North Travancore and Central Travancore with Malabar forming the tip and Southern Travancore, the end of the state, as is also clear in the map given. Major cities include Trivandrum, Kochi, Alapuzha, Kannur, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Pallakad and Trichur.

This trip is planned for two people. Get set go!

(I) From Delhi to Kozhikode

We will arrive at Kozhikode on 13th evening. That day we can relax after a tiring flight from Delhi and enjoy a good supper at the hotel. This city that is also called ‘Calicut’ is one of the most prominent cities of Kerala. Apart from having an IIM, this has major commercial hubs and trade centers. The famous Portuguese trader, Vasco De Gama landed here only when he first came to India. Kozhikode is also famous for its food and cleanliness!



The hotel is booked for 13th, 14th and 15th and we will leave 16th morning for Kochi.



This area is famous for textiles and spices. The famous writer Kamala Das belonged to this very area and was often called ‘The Queen of Malabar’. The 13th will be spent in arriving and rest and on 14th, a local visit to the city along with a trip to the ‘Silent Valley National Park’ will be great along with some shopping! On 15th, a visit to the ‘Bekal Fort’ will be a good idea! It is the largest fort in Kerala and is spread over 40 acres!  It was constructed by Shivappa Nayaka in 1650 AD. For visiting Bekal and adjoining areas, we can take buses to Kannur that are available very easily. (Pic-Bekal Fort)



Arriving at Kannur at 6:30AM, we can travel by local transport to the Bekal Fort which is some 50 Km from Kannur, enjoying the scenic beauty of the Malabar region.


The last bus by KTC tours departs at 8:00 PM which gives us ample time to enjoy the fort and Malabar area. After having breakfast the next day, we will leave for Kochi by bus.


(II) From Kozhikode to Kochi



A booking for 16th and 17th in advance will be required. So, using the wide search criteria of Skyscanner, we can search for a good hotel for our two day stay at Kochi. Taj is always a good option and is in budget as well! Kochi is the economic capital of this state and is also known as ‘The Queen of the Arabian Sea’. This city also boasts of a fort which is a heritage site.



Arriving on 16th, we will travel and explore the city and the nearby areas of Central Kerala and on 17th, the ‘Athirapilly Waterfalls’! I just love waterfalls, they look really amazing! The shooting of the movie ‘Ravan’ starring Aishwarya Rai was done here! (In Pic- Athirapilly Falls)



(III) From Kochi to Alapuzha





The next stop will be Alapuzha, a place on the sea coast and known for its famous Backwaters! It is also called the ‘The Venice of the East’. 


This area is ‘Central Travancore’ and is also famous for churches. The biggest boat race competition of India takes place here every year. The hotel will be booked for two days and on 20th morning we will depart.


(IV) From Alapuzha to Trivandrum   
    
                                                       


The early morning bus from Alapuzha to Trivandrum will be fun! This is the capital city and has various beautiful temples, churches and monuments. In Trivandrum too, we will need a good hotel. 




For two days, we can visit various nice places like the East Fort, Ramanayar Palace museum, Kuthiramallikka Palace , The Napier Museum, The Zoological Park and of course, the lovely beaches!

(V) From Trivandrum to Delhi

After enjoying this very beautiful coastal city, on the morning of 22nd, we can return to Delhi from Trivandrum, enjoying a 10 day vacation in God’s own country!



  

DESTINATION

AMOUNT


Del-Kozhikode flight 


26,528

Hotel At Kozhikode 13th-16th mrg


7,271

To and from Kannur by bus


2,200

Site visits by hired car

2,000


Kozhikode to Kochi by bus


800

Hotel at Kochi 16th-18th mrg


13,500

Kochi to Alapuzha by bus

800

Hotel at Alapuzha 18th-20th mrg


12,574

Site visits by hired car

800

Alapuzha to Trivandrum by bus


1,100

Hotel at Trivandrum


12,033

Return flight to Delhi

20,360

TOTAL


99,966



So, in a budget of a lakh of Rupees, I can enjoy a 10 day long vacation in the fantastic land of Kerala with my friend!! Thanks Skyscanner!


To plan a holiday, please visit www.skyscanner.co.in



Info, map and pictures from-
http://www.kozhikodecorporation.gov.in/




                                    

34 comments:

  1. Oh my .. you have done a lot of research on this one :)
    I have been to kerala ages ago when i was a kid in school .. always think and promise myself i should.. but then all plans go haywire when i land in delhi as I go home .. and then the heart says stay a frew more days at home ..

    One lakh for 2 people or just one :)


    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bikram

      Thank you! I am happy you liked the place! One Lakh for two people :)

      Delete
    2. That is cheap.. :)

      Delete
  2. ah...you wrote about my place :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Red

      yes! I hope you enjoyed the post :)

      Delete
  3. Hi Ankita, an award waits for you here :)

    http://awanderingmindofabookaholic.blogspot.ae/2014/07/quintet-of-radiance-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kerala is indeed God's own country and I'm proud that you have chosen my homeland as your destination :) Good luck with the contest, Dear :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi A

      I did not know that you are a Keralite! Nice! I am really so happy that you liked this post!

      Thanks a lot dear for the good wishes :)

      Delete
  5. Excellent travelogue about Kerala. Very nice write up. I know this is a promo for Skyscanner. You won’t believe this. Just 20 minutes ago I was talking to Skyscanner trying to buy 2 Business Class tickets from San Francisco to Chennai in August. My opinion of them is less than average. (May be it is the Skyscanner office in USA. Hope the Skyscanner office in India is much better.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SG

      Thanks a ton! I am really so glad that you liked the write-up :)
      nice coincidence it is! Is it? I hope their operations in India are customer oriented :)

      Delete
  6. You have been awarded: http://soumya-hintofme.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-to-z-of-me.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. I want to travel to India so badly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Katrin

      Do visit asap! I really wish to meet you :D

      Delete
  8. You have done a great planning there, Ankita! Kerala is on my wishlist too. Hopefully some day....Wishing you the best of travels and good luck for the contest :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beloo

      Thanks a lot for the compliment and good wishes :)

      Delete
  9. Hi Ankita. Brilliant post. I always wanted to visit to Kerala and your post helps me to know about it before going to the one of the beautiful places of India.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Swapnadip

      Thanks a ton! I am really so happy that you enjoyed the post :)

      Yes, Kerala is really so beautiful :)

      Delete
  10. Kerela will certainly be a place to visit .... well written :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh wow! Amazingly detailed itinerary, Ankita! Best wishes to you, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sangeeta

      thanks a ton for the wonderful wishes :)

      I am so happy that you enjoyed this post :D

      Delete
  12. Some error occured, i am not sure if my previous comment was submitted for approval or not...so here's the second take

    Beautiful post Ankita and your friend is very lucky I must say.. All the best for contest :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Priyanka

      yes there is some issue with blogger, many comments do not go through :(

      Thanks a lot for posting the comment again!

      That is a lovely compliment! I am really glad you liked this post :D\

      Thanks for the good wishes :)

      Delete
  13. A very helpful post for those who are planning a visit to Kerala.. Though this is for a competition you can consider writing more such article as you seems good in planning & calculations... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Megha

      Thanks a lot! I will, for sure! I am really glad you liked this :)

      Delete
  14. Kerala just after monsoons is a treat to the eyes, loved the plan Ankita!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Reshma

      Thanks a lot! Yes! Really! :)

      Delete