Varkala V Poovar Island

Maz

Hi all,

I have booked 4 nights at Varkala and 2 at Poovar Island just a bit concerned that 4 nights at Varkala might be too much? Will i really like it? Or should i increase my stay at Poovar and reduce my stay at Varkala? I heard someone say that they preferred Kovalom to Varkala but I thought it was the other way round in that Kovalom was way too touristy and Varkala was much nicer.
Going to be at end of December and want to get it right etc.

Please advise guys,

Thanks a bunch

Maz

butterball

.. IMHO the Varkala - Kovalam 'divide' is becoming less distinguishable, though Varkala still rates as a more 'alternative' option.. For the time being..

It's a little bizarre as I know both places well, and each has it's pros/cons.. Varkala is better located for excursions North and South of the State, where as Kovalam is a 'handy' accomodation spot for Trivandrum ( Trains , planes etc.. ). More recently the 'hotellier/restauranteur' crowd have 'piled' into Varkala leaving Kovalam virtually empty, and thus making finding nice rooms there both easy & cheap..

However, I know nothing about Poovar

cyberhippie

So Varkala is finally catching up with the image made so popular by the Lonely planet eh!!
I was there 5 years ago and thought the comment about the "lessons of Kovelam not being learned in Varkala" quite unfair at the time, as it was still fairly laid back we thought and as acommodation goes a very good deal!!

butterball

... Things have come a LONG way and the whole 'stretch' has doubled in size... And many hotelliers from KVM have appeared seeking the 'next el-dorado'.. As typical, about 5 years too late !

The touts in VK are infinitely more irritating than in KVM, and I did feel ( when I was there at the beginning of this year ) there were many visitors seeking an 'alternative' Keralan coastal experience... only to be a little disappointed..

VK still just wins it for me as a 'day trip' to Cochi is still easy and there are still a couple of authentic canteens & dark bars in Varkala Town ( 5 minutes from the beach resort ) to keep me from not forgetting which country I'm in !

cyberhippie

Is Leela still doing meals out of here own Kitchen, great stuff, she used to be up a little lane on the left as you headed down to the Temple just before the hairpin bend!

butterball

I heard she was still doing business.. And by the sounds of it, raking it in ! I beleive she was ( very cleverly ) working on "pay as you see fit" basis and, as most people are generous to the end, probably made much more than you could ever hope to charge in a restaurant !

Beanies

It all depends on what you want when you get there.

We can Highly recommend 'Fridays Place' on Poovar Island. Mark and Suejeewa are just brilliant hosts, and its such a chill out place.

theyyamdancer

Hi there,
I was very excited to read this last post because we are leaving for Kerala in 2 weeks time and will spend a week at the eco-resort on Poovar Island, Friday's Place. Which of the rooms did you stay in? Any tips? I really like the sound of it and chose it above suggestions from friends who recommended going to Varkala... Did you practice yoga there? Do you need to take your own mat? Sorry for all the questions. Om Shanti and a Happy New Year.

haritha

"In contrast I had a nasty shock on the way down to Trivandrum: I had always had a bit of a soft spot for Varkala and we stopped off there in order that I could show Richard, Justin and Stuart the lovely and, as I remembered it, unspoilt area. It’s now truly horrible and reminded me of the extremely built up Costa del Sol in southern Spain"

a letter to sent to me by a guest .

theyyamdancer

That just about sums up what I have understood from afar. Still, very excited that in just over a week I'll be in Kerala for the first time to discover everything with my own eyes and nose and ears!

I have a question for you Haritha (sorry if this is the wrong thread): do you think it is better to travel in Kerala with Travellers' Cheques or with cash?

I am really glad to have discovered this fantastic forum - I feel as if I am already in India and that you are all just up the road instead of thousands of miles away.

haritha

Hi

travellers cheque is ok for bigger places and all other places cash is fine. Lot of places there are Automated Teller machines works with Master or visa

theyyamdancer

Thanks for that ultra-quick reply! I just discovered a lot of stuff on the FAQs of the packing thread - I'm still navigating my way around this forum. Namaste.

Beanies

Hi theyyamdancer

Fridays Place is a very good choice, Mark and Suejeewa (your Hosts) are two of the most wonderful people that you can every want to meet.

We stayed in the far right house as you access the place. Please pass on our love to them both.

As for tips, go for a shopping market visit with Mark, its a brill experience. Chill out with Sujeewa in the new lounge room - its a great place and thats the place to do your yoga. Didnt see any mats though so if your really serious about it I would take your own.

Other tips, you can use the pool at the Poovar Island Hotel, Jose will ferry you about if hes not in college, otherwise you can hop across the palm trucks that help you cross the canals. Just be careful about these crossings as the first time we tried it the palms gave way and we took a quick christening :-). It was a great welcome to the place, and Angel sorted out our muddy clothes afterwards.

We found the whole experience at Friday's totally brilliant, we explored, chilled and chilled some more.

We travelled down from Goa on the train to visit and on the return trip back up we both has sad faces.

Enjoy.

theyyamdancer

Thank you so much for your reply. We are leaving next week for Poovar and really looking forward to it. I shall say hello certainly to Mark and Sujeewa from you (what is your name, Beanies?) when we get there.
Happy New Year to you.

Beanies

Sue and Andy :-)


Enjoy...

I am just reviewing some of the photos we shot whilst there... and wishing I was there now....