| 1.
Wake upto the world’s best breakfast
Kerala’s spread of morning dishes – vellayappam,
Uppuma, iddli, puttu, masala dosa,appams etc. have been rated
the best breakfast in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine.
A must-try is the crisp lacy appam served with meat/vegetable
stew.
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| 2.
Walk-through paddy fields
Here’s different walking experience. Venture in
to the very heart of the paddy fields, on narrow dykes. Don’t
lose yourself completely in the dazzling green around you, as you’ll
have to watch out for the slushy water passages that run through
your mud path.
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3.
Tip toe across a coconut trunk bridge
In the interiors of Kerala, you’ll come across
plenty of small water bodies with these extremely narrow Bridges.
Watch the native folk cross them with case, but think twice before
you do. It isn't your cup of tea, don’t worry. Further down
the water’s edge you’ll find a more friendly bridge.
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4.
Sip tender coconut
Refresh yourself with a sip of cool tender coconut- nature’s
rejuvenating nectar – and a scoop of its soft white flesh,
Nutrition at its natural best.
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5.Take
a swig of toddy
Ask your tour guide to arrange for fresh madbura kallu
(sweet toddy extracted from the coconut palm) and have it the Kerala
way with exotic karimeen pollichathu (baked fresh water fish) or
spicy pickles. |
6.
Stay on an exotic houseboat
Embark on an enchanting journey across sun – dappled
backwaters on a kettuvallom-fully furnished traditional rice boats.
While your eyes explore the rustic life that floats by, treat your
palate to backwater delicacies prepared by your personal chef.
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7.
Ride a Canoe
Drift along serene waterways in a country craft, Enjoy
the breeze, answer a cuckoo’s call. Wave back at the cheerful
village folk on the banks. Invite some of their chirpy children
to hop in for a ride. They’ll keep you well entertained.
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8
Workout on a treadmill
In Kerala, traditional treadmills are still used to irrigate
the paddy fields. Try your luck with the local farmer and see if
you can get to pedal one.
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9.
See Chinese fishing nets
Watch fishermen tug at these huge nets with their rich
haul. These nets that billow from massive bamboo poles were brought
here by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongolian King.
Their silhouettes against the evening sky make for terrific pictures
too.
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10.
Choose your pick from the Fisherman’s net
Along the Malabar Coast and at Vasco da Gama Square in
Fort Kochi, you can select your favourite from an inviting display
of juicy sear fish, sardines, prawns, red snappers etc. Ask the
friendly fisherman to fry it for you the local way.
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11.
Feast on kappa and meen curry
Try Kerala’s hot red fish curry with steamed tapioca
or boiled rice. It’ll make your mouth water. And your eyes
as well. But you’ll still enjoy it.
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12
Savour a Sadhya
Seat yourself on the floor, roll your sleeves up and
get started on this multi-course feast of rice, 12-15 vegetarian
dishes, spicy pickles, crunchy banana chips, crispy pappadams, plantains
and payasam- the dessert. Served on a plantain leaf, the meal is
eaten with the fingers.
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13
Wear a Kerala saree
Stun your friends in Kerala saree - five metres of fine
off-white cotton edged with golden zari, that lends an extraordinary
elegance to the person wearing it. Each piece is specially woven
on a traditional handloom.
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14.
Wear jasmine in your hair
Get yourself a string of jasmine-the natural ornament
for your hair. You could even pluck them fresh from a garden and
string them yourself.
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15
Spice up your life
Kerala is the Spice Coast of India. Take
home a chest full of exotic spices and win compliments for your
aromatic cooking. These are also available in special gift pouches.
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16.
Ride on 8 tonner without wheels
At the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, you and
your friends can majestically ride into the scenic jungle on an
elephant. A mahout will guide you on your enchanting journey.
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17
Watch birds
Spot egrets, herons, Siberian stork, darters, teals and
hundreds of other migratory birds in Kerala’s enchanting bird
sanctuaries. Hear them sing. Take their Family photograph. Applaud
their aerobatic skills.
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18
Follow the tiger’s trail
Join the Thekkady tiger trail- a real adventure trek
into the dense forest with expert guides. Cook in the jungle. Sleep
in tents. Wake up to the sounds of the wilderness. Try and spot
a tiger.
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19
Design a floral pattern
During Onam, the harvest festival in August/September,
you can see colourful, beautiful floral decorations in the courtyards
of Kerala’s homes. Try making one with family and friends.
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20.
Cheer a snake boat race
Watch the backwaters of Kerala come alive. Feel the excitement
bubble in you as teams of 100 oarsmen row their snake boats, their
bodies swaying in unison to the fast rhythm of full throated singing,
in one of the most exhilarating water sports.
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21.
Feel the rain on your body
Kerala’s invigorating monsoon will cleanse you,
refresh you and rejuvenate you. Let it run down your body, and wash
away stress. So don’t just listen to the pitter-patter on
the roof. Step out.
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22
Munch an uppumanga
You’ll simply relish a meal that is accompanied
by uppumanga, tender mangoes preserved in brine for months (the
longer, the better).
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23
Get an Ayurvedic massage
Gift yourself new life. Surrender to the magical fingers
of specially trained masseurs. To medicated baths that will refresh
you. Herbal diets that will replenish you. Yoga that will revitalize
you. And meditation that will recharge you.
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24
Say hello to the Nilgiri Tahr
Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr
live in the Eravikulam National Park at Munnar. Friendly as they
are, you can pat them or pose for pictures with them. So meet them
and have plenty to brag about when you get back home.
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25
Sip fine tea
Take a walk through the green carpeted tea hills of Kerala
and strong aromas will lead you in to the factories over a hundred
years old. Here you can taste and pick up the finest tea in the
country.
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