Kerala backwater Cruises are by far the best way of seeing the beautiful special that is the Kerala backwaters, a true natural wonder in its own right. A backwater tour will take you for as long as you around tranquil and calm waters as you ponder on life while relaxing on a luxury boat and take in some of the spectacular surroundings. And then it is lunch so you pause for a while to feast on freshly cooked local cuisine prepared by your own personal master chef. Yes, this is what life is really like on a backwater cruise in Kerala.
The backwaters themselves are a series of natural (almost entirely anyway) waterways and canals that connect various rivers and lakes over a massive area. The backwaters mark the boundary between land and the Indian Ocean on the west, they are mainly fresh water but some sea water does enter. Due to the location of the backwaters they are haven for all sorts of wildlife including a massive selection of native and migratory birds, crocodiles, turtles and other aquatic life. But the backwaters are not only a magnet for nature but humans too and hundreds of small villages and towns can be found in and amongst the canals the people of which use the fertile lands to grow rice and grains.
The houseboats are unique in their design as they are in their origin, even the name Kettuvalam, which means 'boat of knots' refers to the construction of the boats in which not a single nail, screw or bolt is used. The boats were once the main transportation for the region and were used to transport thousands upon thousands of tonnes of rice, grains and spices to the main sea ports of Kerala. However, they were slow and soon became obsolete after the introduction of trucks but this wasn't the end for the houseboats. Within just a few years most of the boats had been converted in luxury homes and it is on these which the Kerala backwaters cruises are held.
Organizing Kerala backwater cruise is very easy and is just a case of gathering a few quotes together and comparing prices. Most people find that 2 nights and three days is enough time on a boat and then choose to head into the hill of Kerala for the rest of their trip. Fore free quotes and possible itineraries simply follow the link at the bottom of this page.
Follow this link for more information and free quotes for Kerala Backwater Cruises
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
India Travel Books
If you are things of travelling to India for any length of time then books are something that you are going to want to think about seriously. In fact, if you are travelling anywhere then books are definitely something that you are going to want to take with you. There are shed loads of India travel books out there, most of which carry roughly the same amount of information.. of course here I am talking about guides and, despite their usefulness, they can offer only so much entertainment. You are also going to want to think about books to read before you go, to get you in the mood and of course books when you're out there to keep you entertained and to help you see deeper into Indian culture and the Indian way of life. In this article I would like to recommend to you some classic India travel books both to help you with your journey and to keep you entertained.
Travel Guides
If you're heading out to India with intentions of travelling bits of both the North and the South then I would suggest taking the 'Lonely Planet India' travel guide. Despite being the size and weight of a small child the books has become known as the travellers bible as it really does give you everything you need.. Information, inspiration, safety advice and warnings. The same goes for all the lonely planet books; Lonely planet South India, North India, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Kerala, etc. Top be honest, where ever you are thinking of travelling in India there is a travel guide for it. Follow the link for more information on India travel books. The 'Rough Guide' range also offer a fantastic selection of books covering India with little difference in the quality of the information bar the minor fact that usually the lonely plane range is often more up to date.
Travel Literature
Reading both fiction and no fiction books is a great way to get yourself motivated before you travel to India. 'Shantaram' is favourite amongst India first timers as follows the true story of an a fugitives life in the mecca of Mumbai, run by Mafia and warlords. The entertainment factor is priceless and reading the books goes a long way into understanding the delicate fabric of such a this magical place. Other books might include the 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mistry. Perhaps one to read while you are out there, the books follows the separate lives of a woman struggling with the backward laws and customs of Indian family life and then the story of two brothers struggling to survive and make their way in the Mumbai slums. The book is enthralling, uplifting and heartbreaking all at the same time. 'Eat Love pray' is another classic India read, recently made into a film, the book encompasses many of the reasons why people travel to India in the first place as it follows one woman's journey through Italy, India and Indonesia over the course of a year in search of her soul. If you have ever been anywhere before then you will know that reading is a great way to pass the time, get involved and stay calm. When you are India these three things become all to prominent as you travel without air conditioning, on uncomfortable seats with mosquitoes on an overcrowded bus for 15 hours. Choosing the right selection of India travel books is vital to survival!
Follow the link for more information on a selection of the best India Travel Books
http://www.all-about-India.com - The most complete India resource.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Backpacking in India: How to plan your trip
India is a huge country meaning that the how to plan backpacking in India trip is either very important or not important at all, depending on the way you look at it. The destinations are so far apart it takes a lot of time to get from one to another meaning that the length of your trip determines greatly not only how much of India you get to see but also how intently you experience it.
Planning to visit twenty places over a course of two weeks is a recipe for disaster while visiting twenty places over a course of 6 months could change your entire being. This article talks about how best to place you backpacking trip to India with emphasis on the fact that backpacking in India is not just about how many places you see.
Where you go backpacking in India really depends on how long you are going for. For example a trip of 2 weeks means that you are stretched on the regions that you can go, so most sensible people with a trip duration such as this tend to stick to one area of the country, for example the far North, Rajasthan, the South or Goa. Those with a slight longer travel plan, (i.e months rather than weeks) may rather take things in their stride, moving from place to another whenever they feel like.
The box you tick determines your trip, the worst thing you can possible do on a backpacking trip to India is rush. The distances between the destinations are usually so long that they require seriously unusual amounts of stamina and energy just to stay sane. One night in one town and then 12 hours on a bus for another two nights in another location before another 24 hours on a train results in a whole heap of stress, seeing very little of the country and missing those valuable experiences that make backpacking In India so very rewarding.
So when planning your trip to India take a few things into consideration:
- Firstly that India is not there just to be seen but there to be experienced, smelt, tasted and felt so you really can't rush this journey.
- Aim to spend at two/three whole days in each place and that is if you really have to. If you've got the luxury of spending a few months in India then just spend as long as one as you, like. 2 - 3 days is the bare minimum, this way you can see enough of India in a short trip without exhausting yourself and it leaves the opportunity to stay in a place that you really like for much longer.
- Don't feel as though you have to keep moving and see as much as possible. You can see far more of life sitting in one spot than you can of it by running around in circles!
- Thirdly, some places, for example Hampi or Goa are really easy to get stuck in. Not necessarily a problem but just try not to forget that India is a big country with many places to explore. I spent two weeks in Hampi before I realised I should probably get going!
Final word of advice. Chill out. India is a wild place, bursting with life and energy and every possible aspect of the human conscience, so just go with the flow. Don't stress too much about the small stuff - India is an amazing experience just to experience and has so, so much to offer, if you just let it...
Follow this link for more information about Backpacking in India.
Planning to visit twenty places over a course of two weeks is a recipe for disaster while visiting twenty places over a course of 6 months could change your entire being. This article talks about how best to place you backpacking trip to India with emphasis on the fact that backpacking in India is not just about how many places you see.
Where you go backpacking in India really depends on how long you are going for. For example a trip of 2 weeks means that you are stretched on the regions that you can go, so most sensible people with a trip duration such as this tend to stick to one area of the country, for example the far North, Rajasthan, the South or Goa. Those with a slight longer travel plan, (i.e months rather than weeks) may rather take things in their stride, moving from place to another whenever they feel like.
The box you tick determines your trip, the worst thing you can possible do on a backpacking trip to India is rush. The distances between the destinations are usually so long that they require seriously unusual amounts of stamina and energy just to stay sane. One night in one town and then 12 hours on a bus for another two nights in another location before another 24 hours on a train results in a whole heap of stress, seeing very little of the country and missing those valuable experiences that make backpacking In India so very rewarding.
So when planning your trip to India take a few things into consideration:
- Firstly that India is not there just to be seen but there to be experienced, smelt, tasted and felt so you really can't rush this journey.
- Aim to spend at two/three whole days in each place and that is if you really have to. If you've got the luxury of spending a few months in India then just spend as long as one as you, like. 2 - 3 days is the bare minimum, this way you can see enough of India in a short trip without exhausting yourself and it leaves the opportunity to stay in a place that you really like for much longer.
- Don't feel as though you have to keep moving and see as much as possible. You can see far more of life sitting in one spot than you can of it by running around in circles!
- Thirdly, some places, for example Hampi or Goa are really easy to get stuck in. Not necessarily a problem but just try not to forget that India is a big country with many places to explore. I spent two weeks in Hampi before I realised I should probably get going!
Final word of advice. Chill out. India is a wild place, bursting with life and energy and every possible aspect of the human conscience, so just go with the flow. Don't stress too much about the small stuff - India is an amazing experience just to experience and has so, so much to offer, if you just let it...
Follow this link for more information about Backpacking in India.
India Travel health advice
Here is some great India travel health Advice for backpacking in India
When travelling to India a huge number of considerations need to be taken into account but perhaps none less important than your health. India Travel health can be a minefield of parasites, infections and illnesses reeking havoc amongst travellers to the country... But do not be alarmed, read this article, use a little common sense and you will be fine.
India is a long way away and is still a developing nation, meaning that poverty is rife and conditions in most places are far from hygienic, especially compared with our western standards.
But like most hazards in India, serious health issues can be avoided by using a little common sense and a little preparation. Having said this it is incredibly rare for anybody travelling to India to avoid things such as mosquito bites and of course the infamous Delhi Belly, but still these pose only minor threats and inconveniences compared with some of the bigger issues facing India and her people and of course the thousands of tourists who head there every year.
Below are some of the main India travel health issues that tourists and travellers face when travelling to India and some of the best methods for avoiding them.
Malaria
The mosquitoes in India could only be explained as ravenous and now most doctors and health experts recommend taking anti-malaria precautions for India in all areas below 2300 meters. Fortunately, protection is readily available and fairly cheap. It is worth choosing your medication very carefully and read all of the pros and cons of taking that particular medication as some are known to cause depression and anxiety and there are doubt over whether or not some work at all. Malaria is a serious concern in India and worth reading more about. You can find more information about this and other India travel health advice by following the link at the bottom of this article.
Of course avoiding mosquitoes is another obvious step in avoiding malaria so always carry a bottle of repellent with you and a nice good quality mosquito net.
Vaccinations before you go
Most of the more serious India travel health issues are easily preventable with vaccine before you go. It's recommended by most doctors to take at least the ones mentioned on this list, but don't take my word for it, ask you doctor:
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Diphtheria
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever
- Japanese B encephalitis (only necessary for certain regions)
Some of these vaccinations for India are a course which need to be started at least three months before you go to India making a spontaneous decision to just take off and leave without these vaccinations a risky thing to do.
Diarrhoea in India
As I mentioned earlier, it is unlikely that you will return home from India without experiencing at least signs of diarrhoea. The most common cause (and most obvious) comes from the food. While the natives now have hardened stomachs and appropriate antibodies to fight of the angry bacteria, most westerners don't, and it doesn't take much to be struck by the squits. The water is another common channel through which diarrhoea is picked up so drinking the local water is a big no no. Bottled water is available everywhere but always make sure that the seal at the top has not been broken.
Always carry Immodium with you wherever you go, there's nothing like being caught by surprise in the coach department on a train and not being able to get to the toilet in time because of the huge amount of people in the way! Here are a few tips to avoid getting diarrhoea in India. Rehydration salts are another must and they saved me on many occasions.
- Only drink bottled water.
- Stay away from food that has been sitting around for a long time for example buffets (eat only freshly cooked food).
- Use your common sense, if the place looks dirty then it's more than likely that the food is too.
- Eat where the locals eat. If there are two restaurants, one is busy and the other empty then choose the busy one (the food is probably better too).
- Stay away from ice (your glass of water might be purified and clean but it is unlikely the ice is too).
- Wash your hands before every meal (it's basic but a fundamental error amongst travellers to India).
- Carry Immodium with you as well as rehydration salts (worth mentioning twice).
It's difficult to get the balance right in India because there is usually nothing wrong with eating what the locals eat and there is no need to completely avoid place which may not match up to western standards of hygiene, I personally eat in some right dives when I am travelling in India but slowly I am learning to avoid getting the bug.
Finding the balance between fitting in with the locals, embracing the culture while at the same time staying safe, healthy and sane is a difficult balance to maintain but what travelling is all about...
Sunstroke
Perhaps not a common ailment picked up by travellers in general but I know I was fairly severely struck by it when I was in India so I thought it worth mentioning. If anybody has ever witnessed the effects of sunstroke then they know that it's not fun. When you're are travelling in India it is vital to stay alert, know what's going on but with sunstroke you are knocked for six and your senses and orientation go way off, potentially a dangerous situation to be in.
Stay hydrated and try to be careful about how much time you spend in the sun. Once again with India travel health issues, common sense rules the day!
Availability of Healthcare in India
Another fairly serious India travel health issue is the healthcare facilities. In some states, like Kerala for example, healthcare is very easy to find, very cheap and very high quality but in other states the opposite is common. I appreciate that in some cases you have no option where you go but choose widely, ask the locals to recommend a personal doctor if the situation is appropriate.
The pharmacies in India have most of the drugs you would expect in a western equivalent but always check the dates on the drugs as it has been known that a lot of them sell out of date drugs and always make sure that the packaging has not been tampered with.
Follow this link for more information about India travel health advice.
When travelling to India a huge number of considerations need to be taken into account but perhaps none less important than your health. India Travel health can be a minefield of parasites, infections and illnesses reeking havoc amongst travellers to the country... But do not be alarmed, read this article, use a little common sense and you will be fine.
India is a long way away and is still a developing nation, meaning that poverty is rife and conditions in most places are far from hygienic, especially compared with our western standards.
But like most hazards in India, serious health issues can be avoided by using a little common sense and a little preparation. Having said this it is incredibly rare for anybody travelling to India to avoid things such as mosquito bites and of course the infamous Delhi Belly, but still these pose only minor threats and inconveniences compared with some of the bigger issues facing India and her people and of course the thousands of tourists who head there every year.
Below are some of the main India travel health issues that tourists and travellers face when travelling to India and some of the best methods for avoiding them.
Malaria
The mosquitoes in India could only be explained as ravenous and now most doctors and health experts recommend taking anti-malaria precautions for India in all areas below 2300 meters. Fortunately, protection is readily available and fairly cheap. It is worth choosing your medication very carefully and read all of the pros and cons of taking that particular medication as some are known to cause depression and anxiety and there are doubt over whether or not some work at all. Malaria is a serious concern in India and worth reading more about. You can find more information about this and other India travel health advice by following the link at the bottom of this article.
Of course avoiding mosquitoes is another obvious step in avoiding malaria so always carry a bottle of repellent with you and a nice good quality mosquito net.
Vaccinations before you go
Most of the more serious India travel health issues are easily preventable with vaccine before you go. It's recommended by most doctors to take at least the ones mentioned on this list, but don't take my word for it, ask you doctor:
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Diphtheria
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever
- Japanese B encephalitis (only necessary for certain regions)
Some of these vaccinations for India are a course which need to be started at least three months before you go to India making a spontaneous decision to just take off and leave without these vaccinations a risky thing to do.
Diarrhoea in India
As I mentioned earlier, it is unlikely that you will return home from India without experiencing at least signs of diarrhoea. The most common cause (and most obvious) comes from the food. While the natives now have hardened stomachs and appropriate antibodies to fight of the angry bacteria, most westerners don't, and it doesn't take much to be struck by the squits. The water is another common channel through which diarrhoea is picked up so drinking the local water is a big no no. Bottled water is available everywhere but always make sure that the seal at the top has not been broken.
Always carry Immodium with you wherever you go, there's nothing like being caught by surprise in the coach department on a train and not being able to get to the toilet in time because of the huge amount of people in the way! Here are a few tips to avoid getting diarrhoea in India. Rehydration salts are another must and they saved me on many occasions.
- Only drink bottled water.
- Stay away from food that has been sitting around for a long time for example buffets (eat only freshly cooked food).
- Use your common sense, if the place looks dirty then it's more than likely that the food is too.
- Eat where the locals eat. If there are two restaurants, one is busy and the other empty then choose the busy one (the food is probably better too).
- Stay away from ice (your glass of water might be purified and clean but it is unlikely the ice is too).
- Wash your hands before every meal (it's basic but a fundamental error amongst travellers to India).
- Carry Immodium with you as well as rehydration salts (worth mentioning twice).
It's difficult to get the balance right in India because there is usually nothing wrong with eating what the locals eat and there is no need to completely avoid place which may not match up to western standards of hygiene, I personally eat in some right dives when I am travelling in India but slowly I am learning to avoid getting the bug.
Finding the balance between fitting in with the locals, embracing the culture while at the same time staying safe, healthy and sane is a difficult balance to maintain but what travelling is all about...
Sunstroke
Perhaps not a common ailment picked up by travellers in general but I know I was fairly severely struck by it when I was in India so I thought it worth mentioning. If anybody has ever witnessed the effects of sunstroke then they know that it's not fun. When you're are travelling in India it is vital to stay alert, know what's going on but with sunstroke you are knocked for six and your senses and orientation go way off, potentially a dangerous situation to be in.
Stay hydrated and try to be careful about how much time you spend in the sun. Once again with India travel health issues, common sense rules the day!
Availability of Healthcare in India
Another fairly serious India travel health issue is the healthcare facilities. In some states, like Kerala for example, healthcare is very easy to find, very cheap and very high quality but in other states the opposite is common. I appreciate that in some cases you have no option where you go but choose widely, ask the locals to recommend a personal doctor if the situation is appropriate.
The pharmacies in India have most of the drugs you would expect in a western equivalent but always check the dates on the drugs as it has been known that a lot of them sell out of date drugs and always make sure that the packaging has not been tampered with.
Follow this link for more information about India travel health advice.
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