Leisure DomeJust another WordPress weblog

There is more to India than Taj Mahal.

Anyone who visited India said he didn’t miss the world famous landmark. And the traveler, the wise traveler who visited India said he, after seeing the renowned, white mausoleum, headed to Kerala afterwards. Well, who doesn’t want to set a foot in God’s own country, anyway?

One of India’s current prides is the state of Kerala, which is almost as big as the Netherlands, located on its southwestern part. With its sheer pristine beauty, Kerala, from being one unknown spot in the world, has become India’s most popular niche holiday destinations and one of the fast-rising destinations in the world. The 8.5 million tourists who went there in 2006 alone will be more than willing to attest how beautiful the place is and affirm that is indeed, God’s own Country.

It’s Dr. Vipin Gopal, a community activist and inventor and a certified Kerala resident himself, who thought of the slogan, Kerala—God’s Own Country way, way back in 1993. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has since used the tagline—nothing perhaps can be more appropriate—in its quest to promote the place to Indians and foreigners alike.

With the splendor of its geographical features combined with the uniqueness and vividness of Indian culture plus commendable tourism infrastructures, Kerala has successfully attracted travelers from the different parts of the globe to try and see for themselves what it has to offer to them. Tourists would definitely agree that Kerala does not disappoint and even highly credible people can support the claim. One of the most highly respected and trusted travel publications in the world, the National Geographic Traveler Magazine hailed Kerala as one of the ten existing paradise here on Earth. Not contented with that, the widely-read magazine even proclaimed to all its readers that Kerala is one of the 50 destinations in the world that they should in their lifetime.

To collectively inform you what’s in store for you in Kerala, well, the place is the land of the Three B’s: Beauty, Beach and Backwaters.

Beauty: scenic landscapes, lush greenery, abundant palm groves and palm-lined shorelines, fertile hill stations and verdant coastal plains, superb waterfalls, attractive paddy fields, interesting temples and churches, exciting wildlife and bird sanctuaries

Beaches: Take a swim in Wayanad in Kuruva Island (find rare species of herbs, orchids, birds and other animals), Kovalam Beach in Trivandrum (one of the finest beaches, expect sparkling, azure water), Shanghumugham Beach also in Trivandrum (perfect for sunset lovers), Thirumullavaram Beach in Kollam (for history buffs since it has an 18th century church and ruins of an old Portuguese fort), Payyambalam Beach in Kannur (great for picnics and ideal for evening rendezvous) and Dolphin’s Point in Kalikut (experience dolphin-watching in the early hours of the morning).

Backwaters: Explore Kerala’s canals, lagoons, rivers and lakes aboard a lovely houseboat. Cruise the water and be enchanted with the unspoiled beauty of the surroundings. Don’t ever miss this houseboat tour.

Go pack your things and visit God’s own country!