India for 2 months mainly Goa and Cochin looking for ideas

Richard and Trish · Dec 6th, 2007, 14:14

Hi
We are in our early 50s, just retired and having our first serious holiday( meaning more than 2 weeks twice a year) since I drove to India in 1979.
We are going around the golden triangle as well as visiting udaipur and jodpur before heading down to goa and kochin.
We are only spending a couple of weeks up north , planning on a couple of weeks in goa than to kochin.
We want to find reasonable priced clean friendly guest houses.
We would like to speds a week or 2 in an Ashram.
A house boat in kochin sounds great and we are
trying to list all the possibly to do stuff so we can sort out a route and a plan.
We are going out early in Jan 2008 and any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks

richard

SueJ · Dec 14th, 2007, 07:25

I'll throw in a couple of suggestions around Goa and Kerala to get you started....

In Goa we (also in early 50s) like Agonda right in the South. It's a laid back, quiet place, with no party scene and lots of simple beach side places to stay in. Not sure what it is about Agonda, but for us it is one of those places that make you relax instantly (probably a good thing after the North!).

Kochi is a good place to stop off for a day or two to see Kathakali, Chinese fishing nets, synagogue, etc. But it is a hopping off point for the backwaters rather than the place you get a houseboat from. For housebotas you really have two main choices. Alaphuzza to the West of Lake Vembanad is the busiest and most accessible, Kumarakom to the East is much quieter. We've visited both and prefer Kumarakom.

You may want to head into the hills in Kerala as well, to see the wildlife and plantations.

Happy to provide more details & suggestions, but it may be worth you starting to look at specific areas and ask more specific questions.

Richard and Trish · Dec 15th, 2007, 17:38

Thanks very much for the ideas.
We really have to get to goa chill out a little then decide what we actually want to do.
We are starting off in the golden triangle doing a delhi ,Agra by coach,Jaipur by train,Jhodpurby car,Oudipur by car run before flying south.
If you know anything not in the tourist books please let us know.
Regards
Richard

machadinha · Dec 15th, 2007, 18:32

Do check the appropriate forums here by all means, including the Kerala and Goa sub-forums, etc., or generally search the site some.

A must-read (2003) on the backwaters: Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets! , but there is plenty more to be found (including on Amma's Ashram & probably others, Munnar [Idukki] and Coorg [Kodagu, just across the border in Karnataka] regions, etc. etc.) For hotels, try the Hotel Listings for inspiration.

A travel guide series that I've never used but hear consistently good reports about: http://www.outlooktraveller.com/bookhome.aspx ; their Kerala and Goa editions look to be out of stock, but you could try and hunt down a 2nd-hand copy in India.

Kula · Dec 16th, 2007, 18:49

There is a beautiful ashram in Kerala, see for yourself http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/ashram.html
My sister and me spent 12 days there last February and we had so much fun. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is a proper ashram, very spiritual place and you have to work hard (check daily schedule) but people come from all over the world, some to do yoga for the very first time, some to attend teachers training course, some very spiritual, some not really... Anyway, the place is beautiful, relaxing and interesting. And don't belive the story about crocodiles in the lake, it is perfectly safe to swim (I did it every day).

Cochin is a must, but 3 days are enough. Same goes for backwaters. Beaches in Goa are much nicer then in Kerala. And yes, Munar is also something special.

Enjoy India!

Dec 6th, 2007, 14:14	#1
Richard and Trish Richard Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 2	India for 2 months mainly Goa and Cochin looking for ideas Hi We are in our early 50s, just retired and having our first serious holiday( meaning more than 2 weeks twice a year) since I drove to India in 1979. We are going around the golden triangle as well as visiting udaipur and jodpur before heading down to goa and kochin. We are only spending a couple of weeks up north , planning on a couple of weeks in goa than to kochin. We want to find reasonable priced clean friendly guest houses. We would like to speds a week or 2 in an Ashram. A house boat in kochin sounds great and we are trying to list all the possibly to do stuff so we can sort out a route and a plan. We are going out early in Jan 2008 and any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks richard

Dec 15th, 2007, 18:32	#4
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,593	Do check the appropriate forums here by all means, including the Kerala and Goa sub-forums, etc., or generally search the site some. A must-read (2003) on the backwaters: Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets! , but there is plenty more to be found (including on Amma's Ashram & probably others, Munnar [Idukki] and Coorg [Kodagu, just across the border in Karnataka] regions, etc. etc.) For hotels, try the Hotel Listings for inspiration. A travel guide series that I've never used but hear consistently good reports about: http://www.outlooktraveller.com/bookhome.aspx ; their Kerala and Goa editions look to be out of stock, but you could try and hunt down a 2nd-hand copy in India. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bangalore to Goa, 1 Month any ideas?	dilbharatmain	India Travel Itinerary Advice	2	Aug 4th, 2006 10:42
4 - 6 months starting in goa in november	journeyhome	India Travel Partners	1	Feb 3rd, 2006 22:00
Ideas for taking gifts to Goa	lucylaverda	Packing Tips for India travel	4	Nov 17th, 2005 14:05
Business Ideas / India ??	butterball	Chai and Chat	13	Jul 2nd, 2004 05:01
any ideas on southern india????	oli	Kerala	5	Apr 10th, 2004 17:53

Dec 14th, 2007, 07:25	#2
SueJ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 127	I'll throw in a couple of suggestions around Goa and Kerala to get you started.... In Goa we (also in early 50s) like Agonda right in the South. It's a laid back, quiet place, with no party scene and lots of simple beach side places to stay in. Not sure what it is about Agonda, but for us it is one of those places that make you relax instantly (probably a good thing after the North!). Kochi is a good place to stop off for a day or two to see Kathakali, Chinese fishing nets, synagogue, etc. But it is a hopping off point for the backwaters rather than the place you get a houseboat from. For housebotas you really have two main choices. Alaphuzza to the West of Lake Vembanad is the busiest and most accessible, Kumarakom to the East is much quieter. We've visited both and prefer Kumarakom. You may want to head into the hills in Kerala as well, to see the wildlife and plantations. Happy to provide more details & suggestions, but it may be worth you starting to look at specific areas and ask more specific questions.

Dec 15th, 2007, 17:38	#3
Richard and Trish Richard Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 2	Thanks very much for the ideas. We really have to get to goa chill out a little then decide what we actually want to do. We are starting off in the golden triangle doing a delhi ,Agra by coach,Jaipur by train,Jhodpurby car,Oudipur by car run before flying south. If you know anything not in the tourist books please let us know. Regards Richard

Dec 16th, 2007, 18:49	#5
Kula Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Croatia Posts: 7	There is a beautiful ashram in Kerala, see for yourself http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/ashram.html My sister and me spent 12 days there last February and we had so much fun. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is a proper ashram, very spiritual place and you have to work hard (check daily schedule) but people come from all over the world, some to do yoga for the very first time, some to attend teachers training course, some very spiritual, some not really... Anyway, the place is beautiful, relaxing and interesting. And don't belive the story about crocodiles in the lake, it is perfectly safe to swim (I did it every day). Cochin is a must, but 3 days are enough. Same goes for backwaters. Beaches in Goa are much nicer then in Kerala. And yes, Munar is also something special. Enjoy India!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password