My Lakshadweep Trip:First Day

Finally the trip to Lakshadweep came as a reality after months of planning. There are two type of trips to Lakshadweep.One is offered by SPORTS(of Lakshadweep Tourism) and the second one is offered by private resorts, one at Agatti and the other at Bangaram.SPORTS have a variety of packages catering to different category of tourists, like the one meant only for divers or water sport lovers. They also had a package in which you spend the day on the beaches and night on the ship. The Package Availed was called "Coral Reef". It was a 5 day / 4 night trip covering 3 islands, Capital Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kalpeni. We reached the SPORTS office on Wellington Island by 9:00 am. Got the boarding pass and a small kit containing tee shirts, caps and a brochure about Lakshadweep from the SPORTS office. There was a small checking before we boarded the ship. Our ship was M.V.Kavaratti.It was a comparatively new ship. The cabins had two bunkers, a desk, chairs and an attached bathroom. There was a small speaker which served as a mode of announcement to the tourist’s .It was my Maiden travel on a ship .We had a stroll in and around the ship. Since our cabins were on the fifth floor, it was easy for us to go to the helm of the ship. We had to climb just one stair. The ship started its voyage towards Lakshadweep by 12:30 in the afternoon. The dining room had long tables and chairs. We had our lunch from there. There were both vegetarian and non vegetarian foods available in the canteen. Had the dinner also from the canteen. Had a good sleep in the cabins.

Second Day:Kavaratti

Got up early morning to view the sunrise from the ship. It was wonderful view. Had the breakfast and disembarked to a boat which took us to the shore. The beach was made up of pure white sand, amazingly clean, and the water was light green and almost transparent. The tourists were given a welcome drink of tender coconuts. Spend some time kayaking in the beach. After that we were taken on glass boats for a ride .We could see corals, sea anemones etc.through the glass boat. A large number of fishes in different colours were also spotted through the glass boat. Could see the butterfly fish, sword fish etc.After the boat ride we were simply lazing in the beach. Many were playing volley ball in the beach. Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new Marine aquarium which has excellent collection like fishes, sea anemones, corals, sea potatoes etc. The Skelton of a sperm whale was a variety item in the Museum. We were also taken to the desalination plant in Kavaratti which provided water to entire Kavaratti.Here water is salinated into fresh cold water for consumption.Lunch was followed by Kolkali and Parichamuttu kali performed for the tourists.

Thrid Day:Minicoy

Minicoy:Minicoy is the southernmost and the second largest island. The island is crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons. Minicoy islanders are employed as seamen in ocean going vessels the world over. While the rest of the islands speak a customized Malayalam, Minicoy speaks Mahl, a dialect of Divehi, the language of the Maldives. It has its own script written from right to left.Minicoy women stand out in their colourful gowns and stitched headscarf in Minicoy.The water in Minicoy is greenish. Had a good time bathing in the sea. The water was only Knee deep and we could walk kilometers through the sea. We waded out a long, long way, sometimes walking, sometimes crawling, but it never got any deeper than mid-thigh depth. After that we were taken for a village visit. We were taken in tempo autos which is the mode of transport in Minicoy.There we could see the processing of the Tuna Fish.The Tuna Fish gets cleaned, steamed in huge steamers, cooled overnight and cut into small pieces by women, weighed ,placed in cans with 3 grams of salt,vacuumed,sealed,sterilised for an hour and labeled. Tuna fish is boiled, smoked till dry and then exported. The Women in Minicoy enjoy a high position in the SocietyAfter that we were taken to the light house which was constructed in the year 1885.There were 215 steps to climb. To reach till the top. After that there was a metal ladder to climb. The view from the top was breathtaking. On one side, there was the sea in its greenish with a beautiful beach, along with the huge number of coconut grooves. After the light house visit, we were taken to another beach where we had some kayaking and sea bathing. I spent some time picking shells on the beaches. The usual dance and music were arranged for the tourists in this Island too. Local girls presented traditional Minicoy dance with plastic pots. They threw in two more items, Oppana and Daf Muttu.Most of the tourists joined in the dancing towards the end. By evening ,after the snacks we boarded the boat which took as to our ship. The boat ride from the boat to the ship was comparatively lengthy. The sea was a bit rough on the way back .Was very tired and slept after watching the beautiful sunset from the deck of the ship.

Fourth Day:Kalpeni

Disembarked From the ship to a boat which took us to the beautiful island of Kalpeni.This island is known for its scenic beauty and small islets called Tilakkam and Pitti .It is a progressive island. It was in this island that girls first went to school. We were taken on a boat to the Thilakam islet. Had a good time snorkelling.Could spot many fishes in different colours darting in and out through the corals and the sea anemones .Could spot many sea cucumbers also. If we are not careful our legs may get scratched badly when we walk through the coral reefs. We were taken back to the main beach .I spend some time, picking curiously shaped shells and stones from the beach, which was found in almost all the islands. After the lunch we were taken to a hosiery factory, where we could see the process of baniyan manufacturing. This is managed by the government. Those interested can buy tee shirts from there. The tourists were taken back to the beach, where we spend some time and after some boarded the small boat which took us to the M.V.Kavaratti ship which was anchored in the sea. Decided to explore the ship a bit more and spend a lot of time on the topmost portion of the ship, after watching the sunset. Early morning around 9 am we reached Wellington Island, Kochi.

I was back to reality that this wonderful trip has ended when I stepped out of the Port. Words or pictures cannot put forth the real essence of Lakshadweep islands. It’s something that each one of you should experience in real.
You can get more details at their websites (www.lakshadweeptourism.com) for the Packages Offered by SPORTS
Reaching there :The Lakshadweep group of islands is well connected both by Air and Sea. While Islands like Agatti & Bangaram can be reached by Air, the other islands can be reached by ship from Kochi.
Best time to visit: November to March
Don’t forget to have enough supply of batteries for your cameras and other necessities because it is difficult to find good shops in these islands.

Padmanabhapuram Palace-Kanyakumari

The Padmanabhapuram Palace is situated in Kanyakumari district which is 15 km from Nagercoil and about 65 kilometers from Trivandrum.The Palace has a magnificent architecture structure adorned with Murals, innovative designs and time tested wooden carvings. The name refers to the image of the lotus coming from the navel of Vishnu (Padma - lotus,
nabha - navel, Puram - Town). The palace complex was constructed around 1601 A.D by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 A.D. and 1609 A.D As the visitor enters the Padmanabhapuram palace a brass lamp hanging from the magnificently carved wooden ceiling greets you. It is known as "Kuthiravilakku".Its beauty is that whichever direction you turn it, it will return to its original position and remain absolutely horizontal, thus ensuring that no oil is ever spilled.The ceiling of the palace has 90 varieties of flowers. Although the flowers look alike on close examination we can find that those flowers are different. We can see the various Bows and arrows used during yester years kept there. A 17th century black bed of seven granite stones is housed in the hall of the Padmanabhapuram palace.


Climbing up we reach the Council of Chamber which is also called as "Uparimalika" which is a masterpiece of wooden architecture. During the yester years it was meant to hold discussions with Ministers and Prominent Senior Citizens. There are about 50 murals, depicting Lord Vishnu with his consorts and Lord Krishna with the Gopikas, adorn the walls of the prayer hall. There are several paintings, depicting incidents in the life of Marthanda Varma, displayed on the corridor leading to the guesthouse.

Navarathra Mandapam, an imposing granite structure, is probably the most beautiful part of the Padmanabhapuram palace.A big hall called the Durbar hall has shiny black flooring. It may seem like a granite floor at a glance but in reality, the floor is made of a combination of jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. This floor could not be duplicated again in any construction. The palace also has a secret underground escape route (now blocked), open air swimming pool, dance hall, massive paintings and idols of Indian Gods and Goddesses, carved figurines carrying lamps, etc. There is also a unique stonewall that is held together till date without the use of mortar. Moving further you can see the Ootupura which is composed of 2 floors.Earlier the Maharajas used to give food to the people in these Ootupuras.Each floor can has a sitting upto 1000 people.The big jars which were used to store pickles can also be found there.

The visitor can move out of the palace through the passages inside the palace. At the further end the visitor can notice a well and a small pond which were being used in the olden days. Originally, the area comprising the fort, the palace and its surrounds covered a total of 86 acres. Today the area administered by the Kerala Department of Archaeology is 6.5 acres.Adjacent to the palace is an archaeology museum that should not be missed. Built where the royal stable and guard room once stood, the museum is a treasure trove of sculptures, carvings mural paintings, manuscripts, stone inscriptions, armory, coins and metal ware, dating from the 8th to the 18th Century.
How to Reach Padmanabhapuram
By Road: Padmanabhapuram is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Thiruvananthapuram on the highway to Kanyakumari. that stops at Padmanabhapuram. You can also hire a cab from Thiruvananthapuram.
By RailThe nearest railway station from Padmanabhapuram is at Nagercoil, 15 Km away.
By AirNearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram, 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
The palace will be closed on Mondays

Amber Fort-Jaipur

Location :Amber Fort is situated about 11 kilometers from Jaipur.

Amber Fort is a truly a masterpiece constructed of white and red sandstone. It was once the citadel of the ruling Kachwa clan of Amber. The Amber Fort is set on top of a hill and represents an architecture which is a hybrid of both the Hindu and the Mughal architecture styles. Amber Fort is a fort with its aura offering us a wonderful feast for our eyes. The walls of this Fort are covered with Murals, Frescoes and several paintings. Some walls are ordained with carvings, mosaic and mirror works. Every door bears some mosaics and sculptures. There is Public audience hall. It is only here that the Maharajah held audience and received the petition of his subjects during the royal rule. Tourist can find the royal carts which were once used by the Maharanis intact, preserved well over these years. There is a hall called the Hall of Mirrors. The walls and ceilings are covered with colorful glasses. As the sunlight falls over these glasses it radiates the sunlight all over the area in different colors.


Structure:Amber Fort is divided into four sections. Each is accessible via large staircases from a central location, or from a broad pathway leading to each of the sections. The pathways are currently used to transport tourists via an elephant ride. The main entrance of Amber Fort, Surajpol, leads to the Jaleb chowk, the main courtyard of the Fort where the staircase to the palace is located. In ancient times, Jaleb Chowk was the area where returning armies were paraded back home and where they would display their war earnings to the population at large.


Today, tourists can ride up to the fort from the base of the hill on elephants. On the ride, one can see the skyline of Jaipur, and in the foreground the Maotha lake which is just breathtaking, and the original city walls. The fort can be toured with a guide or you can engage a guide of your own. There is also a sound and light show held here during the evenings, which should not be missed.

How to reach the top of the Fort?

The hilltop has to be climbed on an elephant back or you can also go walking. Better try the elephant ride and have that royal feel ,enjoying the sights from the top of the majestic animal


Reaching the Amber Fort .

Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach the central museum or they can hire rickshaws, tempos and taxis.

Kumarakom Backwaters-Kottayam,Kerala

Kumarakom a small village is situated 15 kilometers from Kottyam on the Vembanad Lake. The fresh water lake acts as an integral part of the backwater cruises in Kerala. It is a much sought after back water destination in Kerala.Kumarakom consists of a number of small islands on the Vembanad Lake. Boat races, house boat cruises are some of the main attractions of this place. The Huge houseboats traditionally known as Kettuvalams provide every amenities of a house, which includes living rooms, kitchen and toilets and also a balcony, from where the tourist can have a good view of the backwaters.The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It flows through the verdant lands of Kerala and offers one of the best backwater cruises. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is the habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.


Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction. This is a perfect place for any body who loves birds. You can walk through the forests and watch variety of birds in the size and might, flying past you or resting on the trees .You can enjoy these sights along with the chirping of the birds. Birds are seen fluttering here and there. For the tourists it is heartening to see so many species of birds together in a single trip. The local population of the birds includes Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Egrets, Herons Water Ducks, Parrots, Teal, Larks, Flycatchers and Wood Beetle.The Siberian Cranes which are migratory birds can also be seen here, if we visit the place during the month of November to March. These migratory birds remain for a short visit at Kuumarakom Bird Sanctuary.


The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands, either on a housing boat or a motor boat. Along with the birds the tourist can see lots of coconut trees lined up by the side of the backwaters.Boat trips make us possible to sight a number of birds without actually disturbing them. What makes these cruises all the more special is the kind of tranquility felt while sailing through the serene waters of the Vembanad Lake. The Island of Pathiramanal ( meaning Sands of night) which attracts a large number of migratory birds is also easily accessible from the boats


Enjoy Walking Tours - Another option to spot the bird species of the park is to set out on foot on the one and half km long walking track. Chances are that a large number of birds on our stroll.Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a golden feather in India's ecological crown, despite being one of the smallest parks in the country. A visit to Kumarakom, nesting on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, will give you memories to cherish.