Kerala-gateway to paradise
Carmelia Heaven-This is where we honeymooned. The closest to heaven I've ever seen, but the food was mediocre. You really cant imagine the diversity in spices and tropical plants you can see in a place like this.
Hotels in Kerala-We stayed in the Hotel Chaithram, in Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala. People walk the streets at all hours. Palm trees line the streets, but you see a lot of profound povery too. People beg. It is mainly women and children. The driving is absolutely crazy. Three wheel cabs don't seem even surprised when they collide as your riding. Its simply best not to even look where your going. You can buy delicious 'fast food' like fried vada from little stores. Don't drink the lime juice!
One morning we got up at around 3 am and took a cab to the city park. It was full of flowering trees and people working out before work. The nearby zoo had hundreds of large wild bats hanging from the trees. I got in trouble with the staff for wandering too close to the big cat cages.
PERIYAR HOUSE-Stayed here too. The food was incredible! but still not as good as my husband's mother's cooking.
In India, most resturants have meat and vegetarian sections to chose from. The segregation is deliberate because many indians are Hindu. Some Hindu castes are purely vegetarian. So if you are veg, eating on the veg side, you know everything is safe to eat.
This hotel is located within the Periyar National park. Some of the hallways are open to the outside. My husband told me that there were reports of people getting dragged off by tigers. He still laughs because I believed him. We never saw any wild tigers there.
In the nearby town, there is incredible shopping. You see people walking with their elephants in the street, and sometimes water buffallo drawn carts.
Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve-we saw wild elephants, boars, and fed wild moneys. The monkeys tried to intimidate me- and succeeded. Monkeys have ceased to be cute in my mind.
Kerala Railway Network Map - Kerala - Maps of India
Kerala Organization - people, culture, cuisine, movies, songs, photographs, maps,
discussion, news and utilities.
Picture Tour of Kerala- a southern tropical state featuring pictures of elephants, boat race
and more.
Malayali Festivals - describes Onam and Vishu including rituals, legends, recipes, and cards.
Kerala Curries -south indian food is really spicy, not like the food you find in most indian-american restaurants. Indian food is really an acquired taste. The cooking is not in the style or combinations that americans or europeans might use. Dishes are served, in what seems like, mysterious combinations. Several dishes that complement each other may be served together. You always get a platter of pickles and chutneys for dipping. Traditional Indians eat with their hands. After you have eaten with your hands, a fork is no longer as satisfying.
Food is many times aromatic and when you eat it long enough, you develop a suble, very pleasant, spicy body smell.
Lakshmi's South Indian Cooking
All India Site - Recipes Index -links to many sites. both north and south indian. All Indian food seems to be very healthy, low fat, and high in nutrician. Meals are very satisfying and NEVER boring.
Mahabazaar-this is where I buy a lot of Indian stuff. There is food, music, and recipes, but the soaps are really wonderful and most are vegetable based. Some are ayurvedic. Chandrika and Mysore Sandalwood soaps are best. The deserts are generally too bland for american tastes. There are other sites online that sell the exact same items but a lot more highly priced. Shopping in India is actually incredibly cheaper than other countries. Since we can't go there all the time, this is the next best thing.
Mahatma Gandhi Foundation- official site. Features a rare collection of books, pictures,
and cartoons.
Mahatma Gandhi: The Complete Information - provides information on his philosphies,
freedom struggle, biography, and satyagrah. Site also includes photos, quotes, student projects,
and articles.
History of India- wall of historical events and related stories/sites.
Malayalam- language of south India