Mangalore, India as cruise stop…seems underwhelming
 

Hi,
There's a dearth of info on Mangalore, and the day trips suggested sound like not much of a draw….the best thing was the cashew processing plant, but they'll be closed on Sunday, when we'll be in port. I was thinking perhaps just a good aryuvedic (sp?) massage perhaps, but would need to know it's not a brothel (as I found when I googled massages).
There's a couple of temples and an old Catholic church…seems like that's about it. If you've been, please tell me what would be enjoyable to see/do.
Thanks!

Udipi,an hr away,a better bet.The Krishna temple is interesting,then the Paradise Isle Beach Resort on Malpe beach,has an ayurvedic spa.
They cant go wrong with their local fish curry and rice.

http://www.theparadiseisle.com/

I was definitely underwhelmed. Fortunately I was mostly using the town as a rest and reorganize stop, and it didn't even rate its own post on my blog.

I think we may just get a trishaw or taxi to take us to the few sights…don't want to spend all day on a tour if it's not great.
inquest, I looked up Paradise Isle but don't think I want to go that far for just the afternoon.

Plenty of natural beauty and village life in Mangalore. However if you want something more historical, Hampi is about 8 hours away. You could Lso try the coffee plantations of Madikeri, also about 7-8 hours Way, I guess.

The OP is talking about a cruise stop/day trip. And I'd sure like to know where IN Mangalore (a city!) to find village life and natural beauty.

I've caved and decided to book a 4 hour tour with a local day trip operator just to see the two temples close by (Buddhist & Hindu) and St. Aloysius Chapel….I also asked to spend a little time shopping for silk saris or handicrafts……and was informed that they don't have shops like this in Mangalore…just Cochin……….what? If someone knows a good area for local type shopping, please let me know. We will be there on a Sunday and perhaps shops are closed then.

Maybe they mean that shops in Mangalore don't give kickbacks to tour guides,,lol. Mangalore is not a tourist town the way Kochi is. I'm not a shopper so I wasn't looking for souvenirs, but you could check a guide book for recommendations. (And locals are probably shopping for groceries, not handicrafts!)