The state of Kerala with its picturesque beaches, sprawling green paddy fields, cozy and dappled coconut grooves and unique and friendly local ethnicity always offering more to explore, has always been one of the most popular traveler’s destinations in the world. While the locals are breathtaking and are sure to entice you into their charms, there is the world famous ayurvedic treatment and massage of Kerala that attracts thousands of tourists all over the world each month. Once done with this you can enjoy the delicious sea food cuisine while riding in the delicate and inimitable back waters of Kerala and still be left with more things to do.
Kerala Backwaters
Kerala backwaters are chains of brackish lagoons that lie parallel to Arabian Sea, and are a unique natural phenomenon. They comprise mainly of five large lakes that are linked and fed by 38 rivers, and extend along almost half the length of Kerala. The ecosystem of these waters is unique due to the fact that the salt water from the Arabian Sea meets with fresh water being fed by the rivers which interestingly is kept separate due to flow path ways. The surroundings are lush green, and with tiny villages dotting the calm and laid back lagoons while you watch the really beautiful backwater sunsets that are almost impossible to miss.
How to get here
Kerala’s transport system is amongst one of the most competent and comprehensive domestic transport network. There are interstate flights that service to the cities of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut) and Kochi (Cochin) from other major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad with international airports. The train and bus network with which to navigate inside the state is extremely extensive, and it is advisable to opt for trains rather than buses for longer trips. This way you can make sure that your journey and the relevant experience is smooth and enjoyable. Within the back waters and across the beaches, ferry transport is available 24 hours a day throughout the day. Local in-city and town transport is through Auto rickshaw and cab services. Local, public bus and sometime train services are available but these are often too crowded.
Major Attractions
The backwaters stretch for a whopping 560 miles, with a network of canals, rivers and lagoons entwined together and this promises to be an experience of a life time. The best way to do this is to hire a house boat for some days so you can explore everything at a laid back, slow pace and watch how daily life and things go by in the small villages of Kerala. The best part is that these boat houses are available in couple or family size and most of them come with an onboard chef if you so request.
The other great major attractions of Kerala include tea gardens of Munnar, various temples that are rich representatives of Indian architectures, not to forget the world famous Ayurvedic treatments of Kerala which are touted to be amongst some of the most effective alternative treatments in the world.
Author bio
Barbara Elliott is well-experienced writer and blogger at PhDify.com. She has been practicing yoga for ten years and has been teaching meditation for more than three years
