Kovalam 1987 vs Kovalam 2009

Muzzy64 · Sep 4th, 2008, 08:52

Went to Kovalam Beach as part of a 5 month trip round India in 1987 and now plan to return in March 2009. What differences will I see ?.

I remember staying with a family just off lighthouse beach. The only large hotel was the Ashok [as I looked towards the beach up a big hill on my right]

Has it changed beyond all recognition ?

I am assuming the small aqua [well more jade in colour] family house I stayed in will have been demolished to provide room for some large hotel. I hope I am wrong.

Nick-H · Sep 4th, 2008, 13:09

It hasn't changed beyond recognition since my first visit in 1997 --- but I suspect your experience, given the extra ten years, will differ.

Do give us your feedback after the visit!

Larkilli · Sep 5th, 2008, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzzy64

Went to Kovalam Beach as part of a 5 month trip round India in 1987 and now plan to return in March 2009. What differences will I see ?.

I remember staying with a family just off lighthouse beach. The only large hotel was the Ashok [as I looked towards the beach up a big hill on my right]

Has it changed beyond all recognition ?

I am assuming the small aqua [well more jade in colour] family house I stayed in will have been demolished to provide room for some large hotel. I hope I am wrong.

.. and the answer will be - YES!!

Just shortly let me tell you that i've spent 3 months in 1998 (jan-feb-march) in Kovalam.. and even if it was peak season, i did fall in love with the place.. so much that ten years after i decided to go back there - and that's where im writing from.
Now low season, so u would expect more peace and quite, but up to now, since the last 3 days that i'm here... the all experience has been very, VERY disappointing!

So much more concrete buildings than 10 years ago, on the beach side and expecially on the back side as well... and if im shocked and disappointed.. what would be your feeling about it... 20 years after?!?!

Will write something more in detail later, and maybe upload some pixx as well... but buddy, if u want peace and quite and that beauty experience that once was possible to be found here... now we can all forget about it...

will be back with more info later...

Nick-H · Sep 5th, 2008, 15:47

Not a place to go for peace and quiet, no.

machadinha · Sep 5th, 2008, 16:15

Muzzy, you've been going over this already:

Kerala in March 2009. Costs and stuff.
Why will no one tell me the cost of things ?
Kerala 15th - 26th of March 2009 ??

Etc. What exactly did happen to you in 1989? So much so that Trivandrum is but a blur & hard to say if it's a smaller version of Mumbai? (Oh, I see now you've reverted to 1987 even?)

anar · Sep 5th, 2008, 17:19

i visited goa often in the past but the last time i was there (1989) i decided i didn't like the changes that were taking place and haven't been back since.
the same with kovalam - i visited in 1999 but since then, it has gone downhill in my opinion and i steer clear. i would advise you to do the same - there are plenty of nicer places in kerala.

barbarae · Sep 7th, 2008, 13:02

I am lucky or unlucky (depending on the day) to live in Kovalam-- has it changed since I first came here in 1996-- everything is built up & there is more concrete going up all over the place-- they are digging on the beach now not quite sure why as everyone has a different answer -- & it plans to go on till March -- tourist season -- No ????

The Ashok is now the Leela very plush & swank. The inside ( away from the beach) has now gone with so much building so there is very little of the old place to see-- but around there are still many amazing vistas !!! Not sure how the season will be this year as the charters are down but good to find a cheap place to stay?

Travelller · Oct 14th, 2009, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbarae

I am lucky or unlucky (depending on the day) to live in Kovalam-- has it changed since I first came here in 1996-- everything is built up & there is more concrete going up all over the place-- they are digging on the beach now not quite sure why as everyone has a different answer -- & it plans to go on till March -- tourist season -- No ????

The Ashok is now the Leela very plush & swank. The inside ( away from the beach) has now gone with so much building so there is very little of the old place to see-- but around there are still many amazing vistas !!! Not sure how the season will be this year as the charters are down but good to find a cheap place to stay?

The area has much more to Offer.
Around Kovalam you have many Places to visit,Poovar,Pozhikkara,Varkal a,....are the Beaches.
Ponmudi,Neyyar Dam,Peppara,Golden Valley,Meenmutty,....are the hill Stations.
Vellayani Lake,Kadinamkulam Lake,Aakulam Lake,Paravur Lake,Kapil Lake,....are the Back Waters.
Merchsiton Estate,Bon Accord,...are the Tea Estates.

Here you can chat with nature.These are the place with tranquility and peace.

Good Luck & Have a Peaceful Life !!!

lathish · Oct 15th, 2009, 05:55

Take out your old photographs and take new ones in same spot and angles we would love to see the difference,In case you cant identify the places now post it here we...i cant as i came to world around 1987

....IMers can help you out

pip · Oct 23rd, 2009, 17:17

I saw it last in 1981, so expect some changes, all of India is changing fast, generally for the worse given population pressures. But the ocean is still there, right? So who cares about the built up area, go to some deserted Goan beach if you need that.

Back when I was there it was full of druggers, heroin addicts who needed walking sticks to get around. I recall thinking some would never leave the place alive...there were the usual beachside seafood shacks and nice places off in the groves. I plan to seek one out at the end of the beach or over the hill maybe.

Varkala sounds kind of fake Euro chic / phony Bob Marley crap to me, but will have a look nevertheless in case my intuition is wrong about the picture painted by the marketing degree dimwits who write the 'guide' books. All those warnings about rips and dangerous currents - sheesh, don't go in if you cannot swim!

The backwaters sound disgusting, so over-touristed, power boats, etc. A real tourist trap. Tea plantations? You are kidding, right? What for, to look at the tea bushes grow?

I think the trade-off between services and development is OK for Kovalam unless the natural environs are spoilt, especially water pollution like at Kochi, where I am now - yuck. No one swims here...

I recall also that Kovalam also had surf, so: great for Aussies. We have more peace and tranquility at home than you can point a stick at, so good eateries and hotels are just fine by me. Kinda like Bondi beach is how I envisage it looking - we'll see next week since Kochi is just horrible now that the monsoon has failed...again.

Sep 4th, 2008, 08:52	#1
Muzzy64 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 20	Kovalam 1987 vs Kovalam 2009 Went to Kovalam Beach as part of a 5 month trip round India in 1987 and now plan to return in March 2009. What differences will I see ?. I remember staying with a family just off lighthouse beach. The only large hotel was the Ashok [as I looked towards the beach up a big hill on my right] Has it changed beyond all recognition ? I am assuming the small aqua [well more jade in colour] family house I stayed in will have been demolished to provide room for some large hotel. I hope I am wrong.

Sep 5th, 2008, 16:15	#5
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Muzzy, you've been going over this already: Kerala in March 2009. Costs and stuff. Why will no one tell me the cost of things ? Kerala 15th - 26th of March 2009 ?? Etc. What exactly did happen to you in 1989? So much so that Trivandrum is but a blur & hard to say if it's a smaller version of Mumbai? (Oh, I see now you've reverted to 1987 even?) __________________ 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

Sep 7th, 2008, 13:02	#7
barbarae Account Closed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kerala Posts: 12	Kovalam I am lucky or unlucky (depending on the day) to live in Kovalam-- has it changed since I first came here in 1996-- everything is built up & there is more concrete going up all over the place-- they are digging on the beach now not quite sure why as everyone has a different answer -- & it plans to go on till March -- tourist season -- No ???? The Ashok is now the Leela very plush & swank. The inside ( away from the beach) has now gone with so much building so there is very little of the old place to see-- but around there are still many amazing vistas !!! Not sure how the season will be this year as the charters are down but good to find a cheap place to stay?

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Sep 4th, 2008, 13:09	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	It hasn't changed beyond recognition since my first visit in 1997 --- but I suspect your experience, given the extra ten years, will differ. Do give us your feedback after the visit!

Sep 5th, 2008, 15:47	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Not a place to go for peace and quiet, no.

Sep 5th, 2008, 17:19	#6
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 703	i visited goa often in the past but the last time i was there (1989) i decided i didn't like the changes that were taking place and haven't been back since. the same with kovalam - i visited in 1999 but since then, it has gone downhill in my opinion and i steer clear. i would advise you to do the same - there are plenty of nicer places in kerala.

Oct 15th, 2009, 05:55	#9
lathish Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 89	Take out your old photographs and take new ones in same spot and angles we would love to see the difference,In case you cant identify the places now post it here we...i cant as i came to world around 1987 ....IMers can help you out

Oct 23rd, 2009, 17:17	#10
pip Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: canberra australia Posts: 41	I saw it last in 1981, so expect some changes, all of India is changing fast, generally for the worse given population pressures. But the ocean is still there, right? So who cares about the built up area, go to some deserted Goan beach if you need that. Back when I was there it was full of druggers, heroin addicts who needed walking sticks to get around. I recall thinking some would never leave the place alive...there were the usual beachside seafood shacks and nice places off in the groves. I plan to seek one out at the end of the beach or over the hill maybe. Varkala sounds kind of fake Euro chic / phony Bob Marley crap to me, but will have a look nevertheless in case my intuition is wrong about the picture painted by the marketing degree dimwits who write the 'guide' books. All those warnings about rips and dangerous currents - sheesh, don't go in if you cannot swim! The backwaters sound disgusting, so over-touristed, power boats, etc. A real tourist trap. Tea plantations? You are kidding, right? What for, to look at the tea bushes grow? I think the trade-off between services and development is OK for Kovalam unless the natural environs are spoilt, especially water pollution like at Kochi, where I am now - yuck. No one swims here... I recall also that Kovalam also had surf, so: great for Aussies. We have more peace and tranquility at home than you can point a stick at, so good eateries and hotels are just fine by me. Kinda like Bondi beach is how I envisage it looking - we'll see next week since Kochi is just horrible now that the monsoon has failed...again.