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Around and About

Below are some of places you can visit when you are at Kadaltheeram Beach Resort. Some are things you can do locally, others a little further away by train or taxi. We have our own taxi or can arrange a taxi for you if ours is already booked. As you will see there is something for everyone and being India none of them are going to cost you a fortune to do.

In The village

When not relaxing at Kadaltheeram Beach Resort there are many things to do locally,
walking along the beach and through the coconut groves there are lots of local temples
to visit and unspoiled bays with stunning views to photograph or paint. Early morning is the best time to go for a walk, before it gets too hot, and watching the big nets being hauled in by the singing fishermen.
You can try your hand at catching some fish for dinner in the Arabian sea or just go and enjoy talking to the local beach sellers and get the fruit ladies to make you a fruit salad for lunch. Mangos, Papaya, Pineapple, Bananas, Oranges and of course grated coconut..... now that's a fruit salad.
Early in the morning you can watch the local fishermen as they go out in their primitive boats to go diving for mussels and fish. You can also go out with them, for a small fee, and enjoy the ride and view of the coast from the sea or even help them dive for mussels.

There is a local coconut factory just up the road where the men will show you how they grind the coconuts to extract the oil.
Between Jan - April there are many local festivals going on and you can go and eat the free meal, along with the rest of the people from the village, off the banana leaf. The vibrant festival celebrations with music, dancers and floats is a "must see". There is normally an elephant or two as well as a fantastic firework display on the last evening.

There is usually a Culture Evening with buffet at one of the nearby Hotel Complexes every week or so, during the high season. We try to keep you informed of when and where this is going on so that you can go and see traditional Keralan Music & Dancing.

Image Gallery "In the Village"
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Kovalam is only 10 mins away in a taxi. Lots of shops to buy gifts and souvenirs and lots of restaurants to eat in. While you are there you can hire a body board and enjoy the waves for a day. You can also go up the Lighthouse with magnificent views across Kovalam and the Arabian sea. It is very much the tourist beach but enjoyable to go to and fun for the children.
Trivandrum
Visit the Padmanabha Swami Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the Kuthiramalika Palace built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore. The Palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the Royal Family. The city zoo and other museums give you plenty to see.
For those who like shopping then go to Parthas or Big Bazaar, large department stores, or Chalabas market with lots of shops and stalls selling everything you could ever want. Wooden items and souvenirs from the large Government shop or gold & precious stones from one of the large jewellery shops.
There is also a Golf Club and Tennis Club where it is possible to go for a game if there are not any events going on. There is a strict dress code so you would need to bring along appropriate clothes with you if you want to do this.

Image Gallery Kovalam and Trivandrum

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Other Day Trips
Catch a train or bus from Trivandrum and go for the day to Varkala or Alleppey. You may even decide to go over to Madurai in Tamil Nadu but you would probably want to stop over one night as it is a 7 hr train journey.
A popular day trip is to go to Nayyar Dam where there is a Crocodile Farm and also a Lion Sanctuary which you go round in a bus. You can also take a boat trip on the lake and look around the culture centre there. Afterwards head on to the Elephant Sanctuary where you can ride one of the elephants and normally see one being washed in the lake.

The Local Backwaters are only 20 mins away from Kadaltheeram. A tranquil trip being punted along the backwaters in a boat for a couple of hours. You get to see some of the local wildlife and the locals going about their daily business. There is normally a stop to see Coir Rope- (from the husks of coconuts) being made and the chance for you to have a go as well.
Ponmudi (The Golden Peak) with a walk through the rain forest and magnificent views from the hillstation of the Western Ghats. This is about an hour and a half taxi ride away.

Other Day Trips image gallery
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Trips Further Afield
If you want to go away for a day or two then head off to Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) and then head onto Munnar (Tea plantation and spice country).

A trip to Cochin with its waterways and Chinese Fishing Nets.
Alternatively go on a 24hr Backwaters Rice Boat Cruise. This goes from Kollam to Alleppey. You have two staff who look after you and cook all your meals whist you enjoy the cruise up the backwaters. You then sleep on the boat in the bedroom with ensuite bathroom before heading back the following morning.

If you want to go South then head down to Cape Comorin (the tip of India) and the only place where the three seas meet. The vantage point where you can see this on a short boat trip to a small island with a temple on it. On the way down to Cape Comorin you pass all the rice paddy fields and mountains,there are several temples and palace museums which you can stop off and look at on your way.