Please critique my southern India itinerary
Feb 24th, 2012, 11:41 AM
#41
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"That's not where you'll find Tamil Nadu or Kerala. "
You'll "find" both. and all of India, everywhere and anywhere. Are you more likely to "find" Kerala in an upscale, infinity-pooled spa resort like Zuri, than in a small riverside homestay? NO--they are BOTH part of Kerala.
Re: Blue Yonder,perhaps i have to read in more detail, but on a first glance, to compare the Nila River positively vs backwaters of So Kerala around is absurd. There is NO comparison in terms of either beauty or interest. There are loads of little villages just off the narrow canals of the Southern Kerala backwaters. Nila ( aka i think Bharatpura) River is what the River Retreat (mentioned by me, above) is near. I "found" no more of Kerala there than anywhere, although it does feel a different world from Kochi. But don't chose one over the other!
If it hasnt been suggested before, i highly recommend a journey on online Indiamike for some more down-to-earth discussions.
You'll "find" both. and all of India, everywhere and anywhere. Are you more likely to "find" Kerala in an upscale, infinity-pooled spa resort like Zuri, than in a small riverside homestay? NO--they are BOTH part of Kerala.
Re: Blue Yonder,perhaps i have to read in more detail, but on a first glance, to compare the Nila River positively vs backwaters of So Kerala around is absurd. There is NO comparison in terms of either beauty or interest. There are loads of little villages just off the narrow canals of the Southern Kerala backwaters. Nila ( aka i think Bharatpura) River is what the River Retreat (mentioned by me, above) is near. I "found" no more of Kerala there than anywhere, although it does feel a different world from Kochi. But don't chose one over the other!
If it hasnt been suggested before, i highly recommend a journey on online Indiamike for some more down-to-earth discussions.
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:07 PM
#42
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Kathie-This thread definately has attracted a lot of great information. . Unfortunately, some of the advice/ opinions are contradictory, and I need some time (lots of time) to sift through the information and try to make some decisions.
I am really grateful to everyone for taking the time to help me plan this trip.
Kathie, where is your next trip? I'll try to get back to my Myanmar TR tomorrow.
I am really grateful to everyone for taking the time to help me plan this trip.
Kathie, where is your next trip? I'll try to get back to my Myanmar TR tomorrow.
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:12 PM
#43
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Oh well, then they can sleep on the beach. I don't care.
As they can't/won't be able to eat the food anywhere else but these kinds of places, I'll be fascinated to read your list of suggested hotels, Cali. No good dragging our your small village homestay if they'll simply offend the owners by refusing to eat anything - then dragging out the granola bars.
Mahindra homestays is a chance to actually <i>meet</i> someone from the location, as opposed to looking at them through a car window. Some are good and some are bad. So? How many of them have you stayed at?
The purpose of dropping in a list of places was to spur the OP into thinking where she wants to stay. I don't give a rat's arse whether she stays there or not - or whether you like them either. They have to eat.
I didn't compare Nila VS backwaters. As they won't go to either, it's an irrelevancy. I added it to suggest that the cultural activities might be revealing - not the bloody scenery. Read the site.
Lose the attitude. No-one is correct here. I knew I shouldn't have bothered.
As they can't/won't be able to eat the food anywhere else but these kinds of places, I'll be fascinated to read your list of suggested hotels, Cali. No good dragging our your small village homestay if they'll simply offend the owners by refusing to eat anything - then dragging out the granola bars.
Mahindra homestays is a chance to actually <i>meet</i> someone from the location, as opposed to looking at them through a car window. Some are good and some are bad. So? How many of them have you stayed at?
The purpose of dropping in a list of places was to spur the OP into thinking where she wants to stay. I don't give a rat's arse whether she stays there or not - or whether you like them either. They have to eat.
I didn't compare Nila VS backwaters. As they won't go to either, it's an irrelevancy. I added it to suggest that the cultural activities might be revealing - not the bloody scenery. Read the site.
Lose the attitude. No-one is correct here. I knew I shouldn't have bothered.
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:26 PM
#44
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Let me say that I appreciate all of the links and suggestions. I've done a bit of browsing, but plan to do a let more. It's great to get recommendations for a variety of places.
Shelly, our November trip will be to Java - if we can make it work. Last time I tried this I eventually threw up my hands and we went elsewhere. I'll be posting some questions in a week or so. We're off to Kauai next Friday for two weeks, and I plan to spend a fair amount of time working on travel planning.
I look forward to the next installment of your Burma report!
Shelly, our November trip will be to Java - if we can make it work. Last time I tried this I eventually threw up my hands and we went elsewhere. I'll be posting some questions in a week or so. We're off to Kauai next Friday for two weeks, and I plan to spend a fair amount of time working on travel planning.
I look forward to the next installment of your Burma report!
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:53 PM
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LOL!
I LOVE you Dogster! Didn't you already know that from previous posts? If you can love me despite my typos, I can love you despite your gripe-os.
You ARE right about the food being a prob. Good question as to which hotels serve what Shelly requires (cuisine-wise)
There's always Lays Crisps, or McBattak (Mandip D's) although haven't yet seen one in the South.
I LOVE you Dogster! Didn't you already know that from previous posts? If you can love me despite my typos, I can love you despite your gripe-os.
You ARE right about the food being a prob. Good question as to which hotels serve what Shelly requires (cuisine-wise)
There's always Lays Crisps, or McBattak (Mandip D's) although haven't yet seen one in the South.
Feb 24th, 2012, 03:28 PM
#50
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Just got back from my yoga class to find these last few posts. It's nice to know everyone has made up and remains friends.
Kathie- Funny you should mention Kauai, our favorite Hawaiian island. While driving back from our yoga class my DH said, "Why not scrap southern India and go back to Hawaii instead." No way I would consent to that after causing all this turmoil.
Kathie- Funny you should mention Kauai, our favorite Hawaiian island. While driving back from our yoga class my DH said, "Why not scrap southern India and go back to Hawaii instead." No way I would consent to that after causing all this turmoil.
Feb 24th, 2012, 10:46 PM
#51
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LOL Shelly.
Tne reason I went to the South after decades away from India, was because of a friend who lived for long times in both Hawaii and Kerala. "If you love Kauai, you'll love Kerala." I never did see much resemblance, except for the coconut palms. I love both , but can't keep away from Hawaii more than two consecutive years).
The same friend gave excellent advice--his experience was that beaches on Kerala's coast are nowhere near as gorgeous as those on Kauai..."So skip the beaches, you'll be disappointed if that is your focus, and visit the unique places in Kerala that you can't see elsewhere."
Tne reason I went to the South after decades away from India, was because of a friend who lived for long times in both Hawaii and Kerala. "If you love Kauai, you'll love Kerala." I never did see much resemblance, except for the coconut palms. I love both , but can't keep away from Hawaii more than two consecutive years).
The same friend gave excellent advice--his experience was that beaches on Kerala's coast are nowhere near as gorgeous as those on Kauai..."So skip the beaches, you'll be disappointed if that is your focus, and visit the unique places in Kerala that you can't see elsewhere."
Feb 25th, 2012, 04:14 AM
#53
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Cali-We are not beach people and never have gone on a solely "beach vacation". Of the 2 weeks we spent on Kauaii, the only time we stepped on the sand was to enter and exit the water to snorkel or to walk on the beach. We do not ever sit on the beach to soak up the sun. And I would never think of going to India, or anywhere else for that matter, just to sit on a beach.
Feb 25th, 2012, 07:52 AM
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We aren't sit on the beach people. I'm so fair-skinned that 15 minutes on a beach without hat and sunscreen and I'd be burned. I do love being in the tropics, eating all that wonderful fresh fruit, and I do enjoy playing in the waves at sunrise and sunset. We go to Kauai every year for a couple of weeks of pure rest and relaxation. It has become traditional to spend time there planning our annual Asia trip. All we need is a guidebook and a web connection!
Feb 25th, 2012, 12:22 PM
#55
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We would go to Hawaii more often if it weren't so far from the east coast. I'm envious that it takes you only 6 hours to get there. For us it's a long, expensive plane flight. But DH is pushing for a return trip soon, so we probably will return sometime next winter. Have a great time in Kauai.
Feb 25th, 2012, 01:13 PM
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I confess: of topic off India. But I think Hawaiian jus started nonstop form East Coast.
GLAD to hear not all folks who love Hawaii or other tropical destination are there just for lying on beaches. Sometimes it feels traitorous to say . I love to LOOK at the beaches though
Same as you but in reverse, Shelly, for us Left Coasters, when travelling to St John USVI!
Check out the "smells of India" thread. Maybe they should go to Hawaii
GLAD to hear not all folks who love Hawaii or other tropical destination are there just for lying on beaches. Sometimes it feels traitorous to say . I love to LOOK at the beaches though
Same as you but in reverse, Shelly, for us Left Coasters, when travelling to St John USVI!
Check out the "smells of India" thread. Maybe they should go to Hawaii
