pip rosen

We're planning a trip to Kerala, Feb/March 1999 - but have recently read some detrimental stuff on the net, re rubbish on the beach etc. Is it all it's cracked up to be? All we want is SUN, sea, with reasonable accommodation & food. Can we snorkel in the Kovalam area? <BR> <BR>Any information very gratefully absorbed.

chris

Pip, I was in Kerala but wasn't on the beach at all. I think you may want to try posting on www.lonelyplanet.com. They have a chat room on india under their thorn tree section that is very informative and browesed by many people often. You will get many replys there. <BR>

Rajeev Soman

<BR>Hello Pip <BR>I am a native of Trivadrum, the capital <BR>of Kerala. Kovalam is getting more & more commercialised but moderately priced accomodation is available. <BR>An interesting alternative is to take a cruise on the backwaters of Kerala in traditional country boats"kettuvellams". <BR>

elie

I was just in kerala actually cochin and i must say we had a great time. we stayed in a beautifull hotle right on the water on the norther tip of the island called the malabar hotle. it is a higher priced hotle but keep in mind that its amazing food and great service and view is well worth it. Please be sure to visit the oldest jewish village to date right across the water amazingly enough named jewtown. This city has been a base for jewish commerce dating back to the days of king solomon. if you would like contacts in cochin or any other city in india feel free to contact me. <BR>

Mrs.Mathew

Haritha Farms <BR>Kadalikad Post TEL:0485 260216 <BR>PIN 686670 E-mail: <BR>KERALA [email protected] <BR>India. <BR> <BR>HARITHA FARMS AN INTRODUCTION <BR> <BR> <BR> We proudly introduce ourselves, as pioneers in Eco farm tourism in South India. Haritha is a small family owned Eco- farm having an extent of 2.5 hectares. This farm grows Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Plantains, and Pineapple other tropical plants and fruit trees organically i.e. without using any chemicals and fertilizers. This is now a growing example of economically viable Eco farming. . From May 1996 onwards we started to take guests and till now we are able to handle about nearly 800 guests. Considering the size of our activity and this being outside the tourist trail it is a good number we feel. <BR> <BR> When we started this project we had an idea in our mind to have accommodation facilities in four rooms which can easily accommodate eight people comfortably i.e. four double rooms with attached toilets and private verandah. All the four rooms can be converted into three bedded rooms. These small bungalows are located in the middle of our small farm and they have enough privacy. The rooms are having fans, and mosquito nets. Toilets are having shower and western type toilets. <BR>FOOD INCLUDED <BR> <BR> We also provide food for the people who stay with us and the price mentioned below includes food also. Food includes Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee, Snacks and Supper. Breakfast normally will be Toast Jam, Butter, and Fresh fruit juice. Coffee/Tea also served in pots. Lunch comprises of fruits according to season, Kerala Pan Cakes or other small dishes. Evening snacks will be local cookies or small eats and Tea/Coffee. Supper will be a traditional Keralan dish with accompaniments mildly flavored with fresh farm grown spices. We also try to serve the food produced in the farm or made in the farmhouse. Coffee is fresh and Farm grown. <BR> <BR>ACTIVITIES <BR> The guests can explore the village, take a hike in the countryside around or trek in the hills near the area or take a dip or swim in the fresh Water River nearby. Other possibilities are picnics to the hill station Munnar where they can see the tea plantations, small wild life sanctuary or to a small drive to the old Elephant training centre to take an elephant ride. <BR>DAY VISITS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR GROUPS <BR> The farm is also opened to Day visitors' in-groups not less than four. The day visitors can also enjoy the village life around, visit local goldsmith, ayurvedic pharmacy; consult with the physician can buy herbal rejunative herbal extracts etc. For the day visitors we also provide the breakfast, festive lunch. Evening tea/coffee and snacks. Groups can also have supper from here and it is optional. (One or two groups are allowed only in a week to restrict the number of people) <BR> <BR>THE COST <BR> Double room including Food (Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee and snacks and Supper) Rs.1200/- Single room including Food (Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea /Coffee And snacks and Supper) Rs.750/- <BR>Extra person in Double room, (including the food mentioned above) Rs.550/- <BR>For day visit including Break fast, Keralan Festive Lunch and Evening Coffee and Snacks Rs.550/ <BR>One US $ is approximately Rs.40/- <BR>For reservation & Information Please feel free to write to or E-mail me at [email protected] or [email protected] <BR> <BR>Mrs.Mathew, Haritha Farms, Kadalikad Post, Pin.686670, Kerala <BR>South India <BR> <BR>Visit our Website at www.harithafarms.indianet.org <BR> <BR> <BR>

Emma

I was wondering how your trip went? We're planning to do something similar next February and I've been a bit put off by some of the negative things I've read about over-commercialisation, unsafe seas for swimming etc. <BR> <BR>I'd be interested to hear your views. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Emma