Thursday, January 14, 2010

All about Kerala, God's Own Country

Kerala Touism Logo.

Back Water & House Boats...




Kerala Tourism Map


Back Water & House Boat Beauty...










Munnar, in full bloom

For the travellers, it may seem the beautiful land welcoming them with a present of fresh blossoms. This month, we bring you a shot of the exquisite flora of Munnar, Idukki. With its picture post card looks, Munnar is endearing to every traveller who reaches here. Dense forests, sprawling grasslands, wild flowers- there is much more for a nature lover. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams- Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Munnar is Kerala-s premium hill station. Munnar is known for the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in twelve years. Anamudi, South India-s highest peak is also located near Munnar.
A scene from Kathakali


Kerala boat race: Battle ships ahoy!




Ask a true-bred Keralite villager what his favourite local sport is. The chances are nine times out of ten, his answer will be - the boat-races.

Kerala boat race is a yearly event that takes place in the month of August or September in Alapuzza. Representing the unique cultural heritage and traditional legacy of Kerala, the boat race of the state is one of the exciting socio-cultural events of the state. The most impressive of all the boat races of Kerala is the Snake Boat Race, which is commonly referred to as Chundanvallams. The brilliant performance of the rowers portrays the inherent sporting zeal and sportsman spirit of the local inhabitants of the southern state of India. The Vallamkalis or the yearly boat race takes place in the backwaters of Punnamada in Alapuzza of Kerala. A group competition, the rowers display tremendous courage and enthusiasm to win the Nehru Trophy in the sporting event of the Snake boat race. Former Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year of 1952, introduced the annual sporting event of Snake boat race.


The backwaters, a distinctive stamp of the State, provide the perfect arena for the gladiators on water while they are cheered on by an excited audience who throng verdant banks. An emphatic triumph of unity and tradition!

The Nileswaram River


Flows through Nileswaram, the seat of the Rajas of a bygone era, palaces, sacred groves, shrines, festivals and yoga centres.
Nelliyampathy, Palakkad

Nestling atop the Western Ghats, misty mountains, enchanting valleys.




Important Places to Visit during Kerala Tour.
1.Kovalam. (In Thiruvananthapuram District):-
Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," the only beach resort in Kerala , the major attraction of all tourists is just 10 km from the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. . Kovalam consists of three successive small crescent beaches; the southern most known as Lighthouse Beach, is where most of the visitors spend their time.But photography is prohibited here.
2.Munnar (In Idukky District):-
Munnar, set amongst the Kannan Devan Hills is situated at the influence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, nallathanni and kundala, 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government in south India. Munnar is adorned with lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The “Neelakurinji”, a beautiful flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2019.The highest peak in south india, anamudi is also in Munnar and Munnar beacons the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested in paragliding.
3.Kumarakom (In Kottayam district):-
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres is a favourite attraction of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live in flocks, in Kumarakom, are a fascination for visitors.
4.Thekkady (In Idukky District):-
The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Plantation Eco-tours arranged by the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady, elephant rides (duration 30 minutes) by the Forest Department, trekking and boat cruises on the Periyar Lake are the major attractions of Thekkady.
5.Thenmala(In Kollam):-
India’s first planned eco tourism project is in Thenmala. An open air Musical Dancing Fountain which is considered, as "Natures Dance" is a major attraction of Thenmala.The beauty of Kerala cannot be just written or explained, it has to be experienced. So let’s come and enjoy the beauty of this holy land.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Beauty of Atlantis...




Atlantis, the Palm is a resort at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a joint venture between Kerzner International Limited and PSJC and was opened on 24 September 2008. The resort is modelled after the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in Nassau, Bahamas.

Water bed … the Neptune and Poseidon Suites are exclusive to Atlantis, with both bedroom and bath views directly into the mesmerising underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.



Water world … the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai , one of the world’s most anticipated hotels, finally opens its doors on September 24


All washed up … the Rapids is a 2.3km path of tidal river with one metre waves though a lush tropical landscape.

Shark tank … after the Ziggurat, you will emerge slowly through the lagoon at Shark Attack.


Big dipper … Aquaventure is a 42-acre waterpark with the Zigguret Centerpiece that touts a 27.5m vertical drop.


Pleased to meet you … Dolphin Bay is a four-and-a-half hectare lush tropical setting where you get the chance to meet the colourful characters in their natural habitat.


See sea food … Ossiano is home to a three-star Michelin chef, and offers gourmet seafood with views of the exotic marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon.


Fish surprise … keeping with he water theme, the Lost Chamber is a maze of underwater halls and tunnels under the Ambassador Lagoon with over 65,000 fish.


Sea view … the Ambassador Lagoon is a window into the wonders of the ocean, and the centre-piece of Atlantis, with over 250 species of fish and sea creatures.

Monday, January 11, 2010

It's raining...

Rain....When nature gets romantic...





























Footprints...


Footprints....

Footprints in the sand, by Leona Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvizQnQN-vg

You walked with me

Footprints in the sand

And helped me understand

Where I'm going


You walked with me

When I was all alone

With so much unknown

Along the way


And just when I

I thought

I'd lost my way

You gave me strength to carry on

That's when I heard you say


I promise you

I'm always there

When your heart is filled with sorrow

And despair And I'll carry you

When you need a friend

You'll find my footprints in the sand


When I'm weary

Well I know you'll be there Cause

I can feel you When you say I promise you

I'm always there

When your heart is filled with sadness and despair

Oh, I'll carry you

When you need a friend

You'll find my footprints in the sand

[choir]


When your heart is full of sadness and despair

I'll carry you

When you need a friend

I promise you

I'm always there

When you need a friend

You'll find my footprints


In the sand...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Start Note

My intention is to share my thoughts and ideas.
I expect support from everyone.

"Life is short journey on this beautiful earth.
Let us make some good footprints on it, so that any one can follow and that will remain till end of the world."


Thanks.
Jose.