Kovalam
Along
the 600 kilometer length of the Kerala coast, there are many sandy beaches,
rocky promontories and coconut palms. The fishing village of Kovalam lies
10 kilometers south of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Kovalam
is the only beach resort of Kerala, and is very popular with the Indian as
well as international tourists. Industry is relatively small scale in this
area and the prices low.
The beach is just a
few minutes walk from the village. Kovalam consists of three successive
small crescent beaches; the southern most known as Lighthouse Beach, is
where most of the visitors spend their time. The beach is bordered with
low cost lodging houses, and restaurants which offer adequate facilities,
at affordable tariffs - ideal for a long stay.
The light house
on the promontory at the southern end of the beach, offers a spectacular
view across to the Vizhinjam mosque. Photography is prohibited here. The
middle beach, overlooked from a rocky headland by the five star Ashok
Radisson resort, functions each morning as a base for local fishers. North
of Ashok, is the third beach which is very little affected by the changing
times. It is dotted with a few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.
Trivandrum
The
capital of the state of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or the City of the Sacred
Snake, is built over seven hills. Named after Anantha, the thousand - headed
serpent of Hindu mythology, the city once formed a part of the Travancore
kingdom, its capital at Padmanabhapuram, now a part of Tamil Nadu.
Thiruvananthapuram is, decidedly, one of the cleaner and
well-planned cities of the country. The city's scenic appeal, its
enchanting beaches, and overwhelming greenery only add to its uniqueness.
It embodies the magical feel of Kerala, as a whole, and lends
terrific insight into the culture of the state. The red-tiled roofs, the
never-ending stretches of palm trees, the maze of narrow, winding streets
and above all, the sea, make for a fascinating mixture.
There is
an element of understated and effortless elegance about the city, which
leaves a lasting impression on the visitor.
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