Kerala vs. Rajasthan

TracyB

I am just wondering... We were in Rajasthan in November, 2004, visiting Mandawa, Karauli, Ranthambore, Japuir, and then Agra, Varanasi and Delhi..We thought it was just amazing..

So for November of 2005 we are thinking about Kerala..Cochi, Kovalam, Houseboat, Thekkady, etc, staying in some really nice places along the way..Can we expect any of the same in South India such as animals wondering the streets, garbage everywhere, rickshaw's, camels, etc...Just curious, because before we go ahead and book those are some of the things that we found amazing about Rajasthan and wondering if we will be able to experience that again, or is it all just about beaches, waterways, etc..I would be curious to know..

Any opinions, suggestions?

Thanks.

crvlvr

Rajastan is full of amazing monuments and handicrafts and is a desert. Kerala gets a huge anmount of rainfall and is known for its scenic beauty, and wellness treatments.

SitaParityaga

I was in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the winter of '04, and Rajasthan Jan. + Feb of this year. (Varanasi, Rishikesh, Allahabad, etc. years ago) Kochi is a must see in my book, fascinating city.

I found Kerala and TN to be cleaner, cheaper in general, and have better value hotels than Rajasthan. I also thought the people in the south were a bit more easy going. There is a lot of press lately about the houseboat trips in the backwaters, for good reason. They are great fun. I saw fewer animals in the roads there, compared to Rajasthan. We went up to Thekkady to see the wildlife reserve, also pleasent. Sorry Munnar lovers, but I thought it was totally boring.

But I always felt there was something sort-of missing in Kerala, and I can't put my finger quite on it. When I got to Tamil Nadu, I felt more at home. One night my husband and I were at a dosa place in Madurai, and met up with a couple of guys originally from Madurai, and now living in the US. I told them that I loved Tamil Nadu: that Kerala felt like some sort of Indian Thailand. They thought that was very funny.

I would agree with India Edge. My next trip will be more Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Loved Rajasthan for the same reasons as crvlvr, but I doubt I'll go back. Hope to see Varanasi again someday, hopefully before my ashes are scattered there.

natasha chanda acharya

Kerala is in India so you will find the common Indian traits.

What you won't find there as opposed to Rajasthan:
Camels, desert, people in yellow, red and orange clothes.

What you will find there as opposed to rajasthan:
Lush greenery, quiet, waterways, houseboats, people who can talk in English,
aurvedic massages, probably elephants if you go into the forest area.

I am a litle partial towards rajasthan, but trust me, when you go to Kerela, you will know that people aren't exaggerating when they say it's "God's own country."

kaushiks

That is indeed funny. Never heard that one before.

timmy

I found Rajasthan much more vibrant than Kerala. There is so much more to see - in a smaller area. Kerala is like a big tropical island that stretches on forever. If I return to India for a fourth time I'll be flying into Delhi and exploring more of Rajasthan and the northern half of the country.

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lonelyaztec

trust me, u will love Kerala.

U can go to

Allepy, Kumarakom for backwaters

Kovalam, Varkala for beaches

cochin for Matanchery palace, Synagogue and chinese fishing nets.

Mudumalai, Wyanad, Vythiri for forests and wild life safaris.

There is enough activity for 2 weeks.

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Nick-H

Sorry. Absolutely no camels

We can do you cows, goats, dogs, cats, squirells and lots of other things here in Southern India, but no camels. Maybe even the occasional elephant!

Kerala is stunningly beautiful and rather laid back. Even the trafic doesn't seem particularly wild. Tourism is one of its biggest industries, which, perhaps, makes one feel a bit more like a tourist there.

I've never been to N India (yet...) but my vote is: Yes, come to the South.

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Tog

If you do get to Tamil Nadu,make sure you check out Kanyakumari.
It's at the southernmost point of India where the 3 seas meet.
I was down at the bathing ghats this morning for sunrise along with hundreds
of pilgrims.Wonderful!!

Dino

Our first trip to India was Tamil Nadu,Karnataka and Kerala and absolutely loved all three states.We loved Rajasthan too (second trip),but you never get over your first love,do you?Also, although the food all over India is great,it's hard to beat some of those extra spicy South India dishes.

TracyB

How do you get from Kovalam to Kanyakumari?

That is something we would be interested in doing...

mr pastry

We were the other way round (North first) and although we had a great time we didn't enjoy the South as much. Can't quite put my finger on what it was, but it just didn't quite do it for us. Having said that - we found the food to be better and more varied down South.