Step in to the warm air of South India
When you first arrive down here, you will want to change into something comfortable.
This is the tropics!
All of you who are familiar with this kind of air, knows it's like being inside a breathable pool.
The spoiled westerner usually runs to the airconditioner.
But this is a big mistake!
If you want to catch a cold and forever walk around complaining how hot it is, go ahead!
It takes only a few days to climatize and enjoy the sauna. All your wrinkles goes away.
Did you feel a bit stiff. It's gone.Yor hair looks great.
Maybe you even care about the environment.
More than that, after a while you don't feel hot. Everything is good.
Back to business. You are possibly in Kerala. You want the backwaters.
Where do you start? Here is what I recommend.
Start off in Kochi. This place has the oldest church in India and a nice athmosphere.
Take a bus or taxi south to Aleppi and here is were you want do your backwater experience.
(About Indian names.They have been changed lately so look for similar sounding names on the map.Everyone still uses the old names anyway.)
Why here, the whole coast is backwater.
Yes but Aleppi is inside locks that keeps the saltwater away.That gives for a dramatically different fauna.
You will float around in the most exquisite surroundings you can imagine back home in your country.
Don't worry about booking ahead.
Take a room in Aleppi and I swear to you that the very next day you are cruising in a barge of your choice.
They range in everything from super deluxe to still nice. Not to expensive. Take your loved one on a pleasure cruise.
Everybody here is in this business.
If you're on a budget rent a canoe and get paddled around for a day, then take the boat that runs down to Kollam.
This is a very nice way to spend 8 hours. It stops for lunch on the way. See Video and photo gallery.
From Kollam you take a bus to Varkala. Now it's time to stop for a while.
Get yourself a room somewhere near the cliff and relax for a week or so.
Trivandrum is a daytrip away and here it is nice to walk around and soak in the sights.
Get the best coffee in India near East Fort in any of the stalls.
About Kovalam. Two week older holiday makers fly directly here. Good place for families, nice beach and snorkeling.
When you're fed up with the beach it's time to go to Tamil Nadu..
This is where you will find those impressive temples every documentary from India is showing.
I am not a tempel expert but I tell you, don't miss the temple in Madurai.Very very impressive. (see photo)
Get your fill of tempel towns and stop for a while in Mamallapuram for a bit of R&R.
Now it's time to book a ticket to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Chennai is your port for flying or boating. Boat takes 3-5 days and can be challenging. It's cheap if you're on a budget
Port Blair is the name of the town were you make landfall.
Now a bit of hardship starts. You can't book ahead for the boat to Havelock island.
Instead you have to stand in line the same day only to run a chance of having to do the same the next day, it's always full.
Reverse is the same.
Havelock Island? Yes folks, that is where most visitors go. Beatiful beaches, coral reefs for snorkeling, tropical dining in bamboo restaurants, fun people to hang out with. A smaller version of the same can be found on Neil Island nearby.
Watch Video in clubroom
You can also dive here, its world class! Get your PADI here.
Don't worry about booking ahead, just get here and evrything will be all right!
You can only stay 30 days, thats a drawback!
John Benjamin
This is the tropics!
All of you who are familiar with this kind of air, knows it's like being inside a breathable pool.
The spoiled westerner usually runs to the airconditioner.
But this is a big mistake!
If you want to catch a cold and forever walk around complaining how hot it is, go ahead!
It takes only a few days to climatize and enjoy the sauna. All your wrinkles goes away.
Did you feel a bit stiff. It's gone.Yor hair looks great.
Maybe you even care about the environment.
More than that, after a while you don't feel hot. Everything is good.
Back to business. You are possibly in Kerala. You want the backwaters.
Where do you start? Here is what I recommend.
Start off in Kochi. This place has the oldest church in India and a nice athmosphere.
Take a bus or taxi south to Aleppi and here is were you want do your backwater experience.
(About Indian names.They have been changed lately so look for similar sounding names on the map.Everyone still uses the old names anyway.)
Why here, the whole coast is backwater.
Yes but Aleppi is inside locks that keeps the saltwater away.That gives for a dramatically different fauna.
You will float around in the most exquisite surroundings you can imagine back home in your country.
Don't worry about booking ahead.
Take a room in Aleppi and I swear to you that the very next day you are cruising in a barge of your choice.
They range in everything from super deluxe to still nice. Not to expensive. Take your loved one on a pleasure cruise.
Everybody here is in this business.
If you're on a budget rent a canoe and get paddled around for a day, then take the boat that runs down to Kollam.
This is a very nice way to spend 8 hours. It stops for lunch on the way. See Video and photo gallery.
From Kollam you take a bus to Varkala. Now it's time to stop for a while.
Get yourself a room somewhere near the cliff and relax for a week or so.
Trivandrum is a daytrip away and here it is nice to walk around and soak in the sights.
Get the best coffee in India near East Fort in any of the stalls.
About Kovalam. Two week older holiday makers fly directly here. Good place for families, nice beach and snorkeling.
When you're fed up with the beach it's time to go to Tamil Nadu..
This is where you will find those impressive temples every documentary from India is showing.
I am not a tempel expert but I tell you, don't miss the temple in Madurai.Very very impressive. (see photo)
Get your fill of tempel towns and stop for a while in Mamallapuram for a bit of R&R.
Now it's time to book a ticket to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Chennai is your port for flying or boating. Boat takes 3-5 days and can be challenging. It's cheap if you're on a budget
Port Blair is the name of the town were you make landfall.
Now a bit of hardship starts. You can't book ahead for the boat to Havelock island.
Instead you have to stand in line the same day only to run a chance of having to do the same the next day, it's always full.
Reverse is the same.
Havelock Island? Yes folks, that is where most visitors go. Beatiful beaches, coral reefs for snorkeling, tropical dining in bamboo restaurants, fun people to hang out with. A smaller version of the same can be found on Neil Island nearby.
Watch Video in clubroom
You can also dive here, its world class! Get your PADI here.
Don't worry about booking ahead, just get here and evrything will be all right!
You can only stay 30 days, thats a drawback!
John Benjamin
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