What’s the latest, Jenny B?

Hope the New Year is off to a good start in India, and we miss you here in Fayetteville.

reid

you rock
jeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyy beeeeeeeeeeeeeee

It seems that Brian has some new facial hair challenges to take on!

oxoxo
meredith

I am starting my morning off by drinking coffee from the mug you gave me and reading your wonderful blog. The colorful pictures and your words put me right there. Also, glad to hear Brian is headed your way soon. Be safe, have fun, and keep adding to the blog. Have you been continuing with your yoga practice? ~Keith

It’s great to know that you’re visiting Kerala. January is a very good time indeed.

Most of the ‘must-see’ places in KL are more or less ‘touristy’. In any case, I am listing a few of my personal favourites that are often under-appreciated.

1. Wayanad District
The name literally translates as “Land of the Paddy Fields”. But Wayanad is so much more than that. It is a heavily forested part of the Western Ghats. Probably the best place in KL to locate Asian Elephants. If you are into trekking and climbing, Wayanad is THE place for you. Three of the best spots/experiences in Wayanad are: Kuruva Island (Be prepared to wade through shallow streams), Edakkal Caves (Noted for pre-historic hand drawings) and Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary (must try the Elephant ride).

3-4 days spent in Wayanad should spare you enough time to see so much more including Pookot Lake and Lakkidi.

2. Nelliyampathy (a little known hill station in Palakkad Dist. It’s a wonderful place to just chill out, with not many people around. Alternative to Munnar)

3. Lakshadweep (Laccadives):
This group of islands 440 km off the coast of KL is a union territory of India (meaning it’s governed by the central govt. at New Delhi) It‘s a relatively untouched group of coral islands, very peaceful and hardly ever crowded. There is a growing trend of tourists clubbing their visit to Kerala with a 4-5 day trip to Lakshadweep. Here’s a link to just one of the many tour operators: http://www.akshayaindia.com/HotelPackage-Lakshadweep.htm

4. If you are into cultural tourism, there are bound to be many temple festivals (Poorams/Utsavams/Arattu) in the month of January. It’s worth witnessing one. I am pasting a link here to a website that lists the festival dates for the year 2009. Next year’s list will soon be published. The dates will be slightly different in 2010 as the festivals are dated as per the South Indian Hindu Calendar.
http://www.keralatourpackage.org/kerala-fairs.html.
However, I feel that the best thing to do in this regard would be to ask your personal guide/driver/local contact when you’re here, which festival’s around the corner (literally).

PS: Something I tell anyone who asks about beaches in KL, if u want to stay on/near a beach, best options are Cherai(Cochin) or Nellikunnu(Trivandrum). Otherwise, for a simple evening visit, the Pudu Vypeen beach (6 km from Cochin) is more pristine and secluded.

Ok Jenny. I hope this information will be helpful; Google the names of the places to know more. Let me remind you that these are not the ‘top-spots’ in Kerala, but gradually emerging as important destinations. So I hope you prioritise before planning.

Have fun and enjoy God’s Own Country when you’re here.

Namashkar,
Sharath

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words – I’m extremely flattered and humbled.

Actually, Brian and I will be in Kerela for two weeks in January. Can you recommend some not-so-touristy places to us?

And come back to Rajasthan – it IS wonderful here!! ; )

Warm regards,
~jenny b