When someone mentions the state of Kerala, the feeling of tranquility takes over. We hear the idakka play as the river dances on its beats. And to witness this profound God’s own country, Saloni traveled to some of the venturesome places of Kerala in 2019. 

കേരളത്തിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം! 

(Welcome to Kerala!)

Let’s see..What was it like to travel back then? To look at strange faces with a hint of a smile. Not have a worry or have a bit less worry about gobbling food at local stalls or traveling in cramped crowds because of covid. Every traveler treasures those pre-covid travel memories in hopes of making more soon. 

Saloni planned to follow the Malabar route where she visited a new destination every day. She took a bus from Bangalore to Trivandrum [INR 1500] and traveled by local train [INR 45] to reach her first destination Varkala. ‘Instead of hiring a car, I prefer traveling by local transport if possible’ says Saloni. 

Day-1 VARKALA

When you enter Varkala, the breeze of the sea afar draws you to its beach. The picturesque cliffs and gorgeous coastal shores wash away your worries. And to Saloni, the beach was the only place she wanted to spend the rest of the day in. With adorable cafes, she found great food and even better company to enjoy. 

The vibe of this place was unlike anywhere else. They played soft music to which everyone sang and swayed along. The first day was a pinnacle of relaxation. And now adventure awaits…

Day-2 KOVALAM

The next morning, they greeted Kovalam, where crescent beaches and palm trees are all one sees. It wasn’t quite far from Varkala, so she decided to travel by auto to Kovalam [INR 100]. Where Saloni stayed at a resort named Little Elephant that overlooked the sea itself [Tariff- 4500]. The best part of this stay was to experience the soothing Ayurvedic Kerala massage. 

And off to the beach again, the Lighthouse beach. Earlier a busy seaport and now a buzzing tourist spot. One can’t miss encountering the view from the top of the Lighthouse to behold the amazing sunset [visit before 5 pm]. Before exploring the appetizing seafood, they decided to take on an outdoorsy beach activity. Surfing! Saloni seized the opportunity to fulfill her knack of riding the waves [Cost- INR 1300]. 

Day-3 KANYAKUMARI

Nestled in the southern-most part of India was the gem of Kerala. Kanyakumari is home to some of the most mysterious and ancient temples flooded with devotees. But on their way, they found an off-beat destination worth exploring. The village of Poovar has bewildering backwaters surrounded by mangrove forests. Saloni took a boat ride to experience having brunch at the floating restaurant. Almost an hour of blissful boating in the river made it a worth visiting site [INR 300]. 

The point of confluence- Kanyakumari marked the end of India as well as of their trip. This commercialized place has over-the-top prices for hotel stays. Even though Saloni booked an OYO room it costs Rs.3000 for a night. She suggests travelers find local stays for a more economical stay.

The streets of Kanyakumari were filled with processions where people performed a traditional dance in celebration. With feathered masks and melodies tunes in the air, Saloni was amazed to discover the religious atmosphere of the city. She shopped through the small markets to buy souvenirs and visited restaurants to savor the local delicacies. And the trip ended at the Vattakottai Fort near the seaside, which was the perfect spot for watching the sunset at the coast.

Traveler’s Experience

After staying at the beautiful coastal spots of Kerala, Saloni urges travelers to spend plenty of time at Varkala. Along with this, she talked about how Kovalam belonged to the countryside where shops shut down in the evening and barely anyone stays out after sunset, so one should plan their trip accordingly. And finally, the city of Kanyakumari was quite a conservative and orthodox place. Across Kerala, people spoke to them partially in English and Hindi, which helped avoid any language barriers. Lastly, her trip to Kerala had an overall budget of INR 15,000 including transport.

This was the short and sweet travel story of Saloni’s journey through the coast of Kerala. For more photos and videos, check out her Instagram page: @sonisaloni__

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Let us know in the comment section below, your exciting travel experiences.