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101 things about God’s own Country: KeralaJanuary 28, 2013 by Harshita Bathwalhttp://...True. This is God’s own land. Because this land has welcomed merchants, tourists, pilgrims, globetrotters and immigrants from all over the world. Never a site of invasion, a land where no natural calamity has taken place for thousands of years and which has always been receiving the blessed monsoon showers.Welcome to Kerala! Below, I mention, some known and some new ways in which you can discover this place:ACTIVITIES TO DO:Pick your favourite team at the Snake Boat RaceAround 30 boats participate in Annual Kerala Boat Race. (Photo: Arun Kumar Sinha)Visit Kerala during the months of August and September and watch the backwaters come alive with an array of snake boats! The feeling is truly exhilarating as you watch teams of hundred oarsmen row their boats. Cheer up your favourite team and join in the rhythm of their singing as you see the rowers sway their boats at frantic speeds.Get yourself a body MassageRejuvenate yourself with Kerala Ayurvedic MassageKerala is known for its Ayurvedic body massages and health spas. Certain specially trained masseurs will be at your service and there will be a whole range of other activities to revitalize and energise you so that when you walk out of the centre, you know it was worth it. Some of the activities at the massage centre includes: herbal diets, medicated baths, yoga and meditation.Purge yourselfVarkala Beach is popular as Queen of all Indian beaches.The Varkala beach is one of the most pristine beaches of Kerala. It is believed that taking a dip in its waters will absolve you of all your sins. Lounge on the beach, take a dip in its waters or visit the nearby Vishnu temple, which is said to be 2000 year old.Ride an ElephantElephant Ride in Kerala (Photo: Jules Popo)Ever seen a procession of elephants decorated invibrant colours slowly marching down the street? Come to Kerala! The spectacle of 50-60 elephants moving together in a majestic procession will enthral you, while the drumbeats and trumpets will add to the euphoria. One can explore the countryside with an elephant ride which is even more exciting.Go Bird watchingKumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. (Photo: Suraj Rajachandradev)Pay a visit to Kerala’s famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and spot the spectacular egrets, herons, Siberian stork, darters, teals and hundreds of other migratory birds. Listen to the melody in their chirruping, watch them welcome you with their aerobatic stunts, make your visit memorable by getting a photograph clicked with the birds. Other destinations for birdwatchers would be: Chinnar wildlife sanctuary, Periyar and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.Go FishingFishermen are pulling back their boat from the sea near the lighthouse. (Photo: Sheila Nicholls)Fishing is not only an important part of people’s livelihood in Kerala; it is also a major tourist attraction. Nothing can be more spectacular than watching Kerala’s fishermen push their boats against the crashing waves of the sea and jump into them in complete coordination. Try trapping small fishes by dangling a rod and line into the water, one seldom returns disappointed. And don’t forget to treat yourself with the Kerala style fish curry, neymeen.ParaglidingVagamon is the only place in Kerala where the paragliding is possible. (Photo: Ritesh Patel)Vagamon in Idukki district of Kerala is an emerging international destination for paragliders. If you are looking for some adventure during your vacation, paragliding is an excellent option. As you sweep through the lush green vegetation, get a bird’s eye view of the blue water, feel the wind across your face, fly like an eagle. Feel at the top of the world!Watch a bullock-raceThe ‘track’ used for Kambala is a paddy field filled with slush. Two pairs of buffaloes are the contestants and they are controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. (Photo: Zacharia Ponkunnam)Kumbala, or the local bullock-race which takes place every year at the Malapurram district of Malabar is one of the most exciting events of Kerala. It not only attracts several people for the neighboring districts but also from around the world. People bet on their favourite bulls and watch them run with extraordinary zeal towards the finish line. It is a truly exciting experience!A train ride, Ernakulam-Kollam-TrivandrumOn the way to Trivandrum from Ernakulam (Photo: MSV)Take a train ride from Ernakulam to Trivandrum via Kollam to get a beautiful overview of the state. Along the journey, you will come across the marvellous lakes, the sparkling backwaters of Kerala, the coconut palms swaying to the rhythm of the wind, the wide plantations and such like. It is a quick, cheap and easy way of knowing God’s own country, Kerala.Jungle safarisJeep Safari in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. (Photo: Sophie Fishing)A tour of Kerala isn’t complete without exploring the wilderness. So take a jungle safari through the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This forest reserve is noted for its tiger and elephant population. Besides, it is also an excellent spot for birdwatchers. Take a jeep or elephant ride through the jungles and let the explorer within you take the lead.Watch a Puppet showYakshagana Bombeyatta (puppetry) is a popular art form of Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala. The puppets, usually made of wood resemble the Yakshagana performers in costumes and ornamentation. (Photo: Raviprasad Kamila, The Hindu)Yakshagana Bombeyattu or Puppetry is an interesting art form of Kasaragod. While at Kerala, entertain yourself with the colourful puppets with curious headgears, vibrant decorations and loud costumes dancing on musical beats. Themes for the puppet-theatre are mostly based on epics and legends. The shows traditionally take place in the temples on the Koothu Madam.Go for a Flower showFlower Show (Pushpa Mela) attracts lots of tourist in Kerala. (Photo: Yes Kerala)Catch a splendid display of colours at the flower-shows that take place in various parts of Kerala like Kochi and Trivandram. Seeing those pretty asters, the glowing anthuria, the red roses, the exotic orchids, the elegant lilies and the blooming cotton candy will definitely bring a smile to your face!Learn YogaShivananada Yoga Vedanta DhanwantriWhile at Kerala, spend a day or two at the special ashrams in Trivandram and Nileswaram practising yoga. At the cultural centre of Kasaragod, sessions are conducted by gurus and learned experts on spirituality and such like. Relax your mind by attending some of these sessions.Do Rock-climbingRock Climbing in Munnar (Photo: Paintal)This is an exhilarating sport, full of dangers and thrills. Nothing beats the overwhelming feeling of victory having climbed up a cliff! In Kerala, the dam site of Kakkayam, Munnar and other places offer rock climbing opportunities. The best time to visit is between the months of November and April.Attend the Maramon ConventionThe famous Maramon Convention is been holding annually for over a century. (Photo: Paul Parackel)Every year in the month of February on the vast sand beds of Pampa River is held Asia’s largest Christian Convention. Interestingly, the river water dries up every year before the event! It is organised by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association.Buy gold for all occasionsKasu mala is skillfully crafted by attaching one-gram- forming gold coins to a one gram forming gold chain.In Kerala, gold works like a uniting factor among the Keralites no matter the social or financial standing. Both foreign and domestic tourists buy gold from Kerala. There are many attractive traditional for you to choose from: Kasu Mala, Palakka and Jhimki to name a few.Watch a Malayalam movieMalayalam Movie PosterEntertain yourself a bit more by watching a movie! Malayalam films have interesting story lines and if you’re visiting Kerala during the time of the Film Festival, you will get to see good movies with English subtitles.Take a Mud bathMud Bath in KeralaKerala offers to you a variety of ways to soothe your senses. Discover the healing properties of a mud bath at Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Cultural Centre at Nileswaram, Kasaragod. The therapy will unwind your body and the end of the session will leave you feeling refreshed and energetic.Shop for antiquesShop Antiques in Kerala (Photo: Bharucha)Kerala is a treasure trove of exquisite handicrafts. Be it textiles, painting, woodwork, metalwork, mask-making or coconut-art , the artisans of Kerala specialise in a number of art forms. This festive season, carry back souvenirs from Kerala and gift them to your loved ones!Visit the local marketsLocal Fish Market in Kerala (Photo: Circumnevillegators)The local markets of Kerala are worth a visit. Stalls with piles of fresh vegetables and fruits, the noise from the fish market with salesmen trying to lure you with bargains, their voice getting louder by the minute! Come here for fresh buys and bring out your skills as a canny shopper.The paddy fieldsPaddy Fields in Kerala (Photo: Shagun)Take a walk through the very heart of the paddy fields, on narrow dykes. But don’t let the bright green fields dazzle you as there would be slushy water passages running through your muddy path that you should be aware of. Watch the native folks working on the fields, strike a conversation, enjoy the sun on your face, have a great walking experience!Ride a canoeTake a Canoe Ride in KeralaIfyou are interested in exploring the countryside of Kerala, go for canoeing. It gives you an opportunity to see for yourself the lives of the people in the remote villages of Kerala. As you paddle through the backwaters, be sure not to miss the scenic delightsTake a bike rideBike Ride in Kerala (Photo: Devidas Kandath)The landscape of Kerala is an ideal one for bicycling. So follow the spice route, take a ride through the tea-gardens of Munnar or leisurely float across the backwaters of Kerala. You can also explore innumerable historical sites and isolated hamlets during your trip. One can also take a motorcycle tour to Kerala that gives you the opportunity to ride the Royal Enfield right on the beach!Bamboo Rafting, PeriyarTourists in a small bamboo raft cross a section of the Periyar Lake, which is located in the Periyar Wildlife Sancuary (Photo: Daniel J. Groshong/Tayo Photo Group)The wildlife sanctuary at Periyar is among India’s most popular forest reserves and bamboo-rafting ride at the Periyar Lake is one of the most exciting ways to explore it. You not only get to see the many delights of this sanctuary but also experience a bit of hiking. Keep close to the banks in order to spot tigers, elephants and other magnificent animal species of the wild.Stay in a TharavadHomestays in Kerala – Coconut CreekTo get the perfect heritage experience, stay at a Tharavad. Homestays are known for their hospitality and the grand welcome they give to their guests. At a Tharavad, you’d experience life in an entirely different way. The antique furniture and the intricate woodwork will take you back to old times and the surrounding greenery will rejuvenate your senses.When it Rains in KeralaMonsoon in KeralaStep out on the road while it is raining: Kerala’s monsoon will rejuvenate your senses. Feel your body heaving a sigh of relief as the raindrops slide down your skin. The smell of wet ground, water splashing across the street as the buses and cars zoom by, the sound of thunder, the sparkle of lightening and the sight of hundreds of people, some walking, some scurrying under long black umbrellas will make your experience truly magical!Stay on a HouseboatHouseboat in KeralaAs the sun sets beneath the horizon, embark on a romantic journey on a houseboat in Kerala. Unlike the houseboat stays in Kashmir, you get to stay on the backwaters of Kerala. These traditional houseboats are fully furnished and you get to indulge your taste-buds in backwater delicacies prepared by your personal chef! So, sink yourself in the tranquil atmosphere and the lush greenery. It is also an excellent spot for birdwatchers.Live in a Tree-HouseTree House in KeralaAt Kerala, stay in the tree-houses of Palakkad. These tree-houses are made of eco-friendly materials like bamboo etc.As it is set high above the ground on top a tree, you have birds for company and the lush greenerythat will fill up your senses. So open the windows, smell the sweet scent of wild flowers and listen to the sounds of the forest. Live life the rustic way!Kerala’s Museums and Art galleriesKerala’s Museum and Art Gallery are situated in the Napier Museum compound.Go browse in the art-galleries of Kerala for hours. Take a look at some of the best collections of masterpieces by eminent artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova, Nicholas Roerich and exquisite murals from Tibet, China, Japan and Bali. Admire the temple carts, ornaments and ivory carvings of Kathakali figures at Pazhasiraja Museum in Kozhikode.The coconut trunk bridgeWalk on the Coconut Trunk Bridge in KeralaKerala, in its interiors, has plenty of small water bodies with these extremely narrow bridges. Watch the native folks cross them. You can try tip-toeing across one of them, but be careful. Though it looks simple, it does require a lot of balancing skill. Look further down the bank, you might find a more friendly bridge.Cooking inCooking in Earthenware (Photo: Sarang Hills)In most of the homes of Kerala, women cook the daily meal in earthenware. So go strike a conversation with the native folks, self-invite yourself to lunch at their place and then indulge yourself in the delights cooked by the womenfolk of the house! For some time-tested reason, cooking in earthenware renders a special taste to the food prepared.Don’t miss the FireworksFireworks in Kerala (Photo: Bhavana Jagat)The end of any important event/festival of Kerala is marked by a brilliant display of fireworks. And since every day in Kerala brings with it a new festival, you should not miss those spectacular lightings. Why not make a wish under the thousand shooting stars?Bullock carts of KeralaBullock Cart Ride in KeralaTake an unhurried ride in one of the bullock carts of Kerala. Enjoy the shades of a pleasant evening, sway from side to side with the motion of the wheels, um a tune or two, listen to the tinkling bells. Enter into a lazy reverie as you traverse the mud roads of the state.Bask in sunshineShaghumugham Beach in KeralaKerala is known all over the world for its balmy beaches. They are secluded and spell-binding. So go out there, get a tan, build sand-castles, surf with friends. The sunny atmosphere will relax and unwind you completely. So go have a whale of a time!The kali-peeli auto rickshawAuto Rickshaw Ride in Kerala (Photo: Adam Wood House)Explore the busy streets of Kerala by taking a ride in an auto rickshaw, a taxi painted bright yellow and black. If you talk to the driver, you might find him quite fluent in English, thanks to the high literacy rate of the state!MUSIC, ART, DANCE AND MORE:A spell of MohiniyattamMohiniyattam was popularized as a popular dance form in the nineteenth century. (Photo: Chennai Plus)It is one of the most expressive dance forms of Kerala. Feminine love is a recurrent theme depicted in the dance. It dates back to the 16th century when it was performed mostly in the temples and royal courts. The mudras of this dance will enthral you. So just sit back and let the wonder work.Mesmerize yourself with a Kathakali performanceKathakali is traditionally performed at temples and tells stories of the gods, specifically Krishna. (Photo: Lafayette)Kathakali is a vibrant dance form of Kerala, in which the expressions and postures of the dancer tells you enchanting stories of the place, carrying themes of passion, lust and power. The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become one of the most recognised icons for Kerala. The performance is a major social event and it usually takes place during the night.OnamFlower Carpet – Onam FestivalOne of the most vibrant and colourful festivals of Kerala, Onam usually falls around the months of August-September. Not associated with any specific God, this festival is celebrated during the harvest season when the state of Kerala is at its magnificent best.ThullalOttan Thullal was designed by the 18th century master poet Kunchan Nambiar. (Photo: Mohan Ariyath)Among the several cultural and heritage art forms in Kerala, Thullal is a special attraction. The performance consists of devotional hymns and girls dance to the rhythm of traditional Kerala music. The ceremony is dedicated to the Gods and is supposed to bring happiness and prosperity. Watch a Thullal performance and experience true ethnicity of Kerala.Murals at KeralaKrishna Gopi – Kerala MuralHave a look at the exotic collection of ancient murals at the palaces and museums of the state. The largest of these masterpieces, Gajendramoksham, is on display at the Krishnapuram Palace. Most murals paintings are centuries old and depict events from mythology and popular legends.TheyyamTheyyam rituals in Kerala (Photo: Tewfic El-sawy)Like the other art forms of Kerala, Theyyam also invokes the blessings of God at the beginning of the performance. It originates from the Malabar and stands for the equality among castes. It follows the traditions of an open-theatre performance and takes place on the streets. It involves a lot of colourful costumes and elegant dance postures.Spin coirLearn the art of Spinning the Coir. (Photo: Keats Markandu)Coming back to the Kerala’s coconut connection,coir becomes one of Kerala’s most important products. The women are mostly involved in the spinning sector while the men work in theweaving sector. Alleppey is the centre of Kerala’s coir industry. One can shop at the roadside stalls for door-mats, decorative wall-hangings and colourful carpets.The Aranmula MirrorsThese unique metal mirrors are the result of Kerala’s rich cultural and metallurgical traditions. (Photo: Rajesh Nair)These unique ornamental metal-mirrors of Kerala survive at the village of Aranmula. They are made of an alloy of four metals: copper, silver, bronze and lead. They are made manually by local artisans. Recently, they have become increasingly rare: not more than two or three families of craftsmen still make them.Musical KeralaPanchavadyam at Kotapuram Temple. (Photo: Ram Mohan T.V)Get yourself entranced by Panchvadyam, an orchestra of five instruments-sudha-maddalam, kombu, edakka, elathalam and timila. This temple music, along with the elephant pageants sets up the festive spirit during special occasions. Besides, Kerala’s rich stock of percussion instruments is famous all over the world. So bring alive your taste for music!The Nilgiri TahrNilgiri Tahr (Photo: Lark)At the Eravikulam National Park at Munnar, say hello to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Half of its world population live there! Remember to get a photo clicked, so that when you are home, you have something to brag about.Shop for Sari and MunduWomen dressed up in Kerala Kasavu Saree. (Photo: Rose Buddies)The ‘Kasuvu’ Sari is something which you will find in the wardrobe of every woman from Kerala. It’s an ethnic cotton handloom sari, generally white in colour with an elaborate golden work on the pallu. The mundu is a garment worn around the waist. Closely resembling the Indian dhoti or the lungi, it can be wrapped in various ways. The set mundu is the traditional dress of the Hindus in Kerala.UriyadiUriyadi – Striking pots hung on a tall pole with a stick. (Photo: Sunoj Mangalam)Celebrate Janamashtami the Kerala way. In this spirited sport, the festive pot is colourfully decorated and hung from a tall pole. All you have to do is break that elusive pot hung on the high wire before the crowd pulls it down. If you win, you take home the winnings! It’s a lot a fun besides being a rich cultural experience.Thrissur PooramThrissur Pooram festival is one of the biggest, eye catching and most awaited festivals of Kerala.Kerala is at its colourful best during the occasion of Thrissur Pooram. This religious festival takes place in Thrissur during the month of April. Witness the massive number of people offering their prayers to Lord Shiva, long processions of decorated elephants and the splendid umbrella showing competition.Theatre in KeralaArt forms of Kerala Koodiyattam (Photo: Sruthi)Koodiyattam, one of the oldest surviving form of Sanskrit theatre, originated in Kerala and is closely tied to its temples. The performance usually lasts for several days and takes place in the evening. The act is replete with hidden meanings, metaphors and delicate implications, much of which is the hallmark of Sanskrit literature. So catch a show while you are at Kerala and make your evening delightful!Watch ThiruvathiraThiruvathira is a Hindu festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. (Photo: Shela Mary)Learn exotic art forms while at Kerala. See the women folk perform their traditional dance. Join them as they sing, cheer them up as they move around the ceremonial lamp, vilakku or a floral decoration, pookalam. It’s a simple dance form and the only rule is that the women should be clad in traditional Kerala sari.Kerala’s KalamandalamKalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture, is a major centre for learning Indian performing arts. (Photo: Entire Education)Founded in 1927, Kalamandalam is considered the cultural repository of Kerala. It works towards reviving the various art and dance forms of the state. Mohiniyattam and Kathakali, which were slowly loosing importance, gained rebirth through the introduction of Kalamandalam. Situated in Thrissur district, it also offers training in classical performing arts.The Palmyra fanThe traditional handmade Palmyra fan is one of the cultural icon. (Photo: Thamizhpparithi Maari)These fans are made out of medicinal herbal roots, palm fronds, grass and bamboo splits. They are small and portable, they come in bright colours and make very cute presents. You can also put it on your wall as a showpiece when you’re not using it.Kerala’s literacyClassrooms in Kerala (Photo: Sopan Step)As far as literacy is concerned, Kerala has been a historic state. Its literacy rate can be compared to some of the most advanced regions of the world. Not only men but women also hold a high literacy rate in Kerala. The living standard of Kerala is high. Thanks to education, Kerala is now relieved of most of its social evils.A clean CityStreet of Kerala (Photo: Eric Parker)As we see Indian cities growing continuously in terms of population as well as technology, environmental protection becomes a rising concern. Kerala is one of the few states of India which has the image of being a green and clean city. However, the state is gradually getting polluted due to improper waste disposal practices. Efforts are being made to spread awareness and raise concern both amongst the tourists and the local people.The Medicinal plants of KeralaStar Anise Fruits In KeralaThis city is home to a wide variety of rare medicinal herbs, like, curcuma caesia used for the treatment of epilepsy, Asafoetida used for the treatment of indigestion and spasms, Aniseed used mainly as a flavourant, Cinnamon etc.A Healthy BreakfastOne of the most popular items for breakfast is dosa. (Photo: Fig and the Wasp)The typical south Indian breakfast has been rated the best breakfast in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine. The morning dishes include: uppuma, masala dosa, puttu, appams, vellayappam etc. Do try out the delicious appam served with meat/vegetable stew.Iringal crafts villageExperience the culture of Kerala in its most vibrant colours at the Iringal Crafts village. Located near Kozhikode, the village is spread across 20 acres of land. Local artisans and craftsmen bring their skills together and sell their products to the visiting tourists. Not only can you buy beautiful artefacts from this place, but you can also attend art workshops here and learn to make a few art pieces yourselfKalaripayattuKalaripayattu is an Indian martial art from the southern state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence. (Photo: Kalari Academy of Performing Arts)More than 3000 years old, Kalaripayattu is a famous form of martial arts that has its origins in Kerala. Though it had lost much of its significance in modern times, it is gradually making a comeback. There are several schools in Kerala which provides training for Kalaripayattu. Do watch a performance and be mesmerized by the swift and athletic moves of the fighters.Astrology and palmistryAstrology is one of the six disciplines of the Vedanga, it is also called as the Vedic astrology, or the Aagam Shaastra or the Indian astrology or the Hindu astrology.(Photo: Unni Kirshn)The practice of hand-reading is an old one in South India. This occupation has a wide history of more than a hundred years. Nowadays, a large number of people are eager to know about their future. While at Kerala, show the fortune-teller your palm and let his parrot pick your card from the pack.PLACES YOU MAY VISIT:Trekking at ParunthumparaParunthumpara is one the fast growing tourist location in Kerala. This place can be described as a hill point blessed with natural beauty at its peak.The Parunthumpara Trek or the Eagle Rock trek is one of the lesser known treks in Kerala. As you get to a viewpoint close to Peermade, Idukki, you will get breath-taking views of Trishanku Hills, Pampa and Sabirimala forests and a panoramic view of the deep trenches and valleys. The road to Parunthumpara is lined by unending stretches of cardamom, tea and coffee.Nelliyampathy HillsNelliyampathy Hills – Palakkad, Kerala (Photo: Faisal Iqbal)Located close to Palakkad, amidst lush tea and coffee plantations lies the Nelliyampathy Hills in Kerala. Its cloud-caressed peaks, extensive paddy fields, privately owned hotels and resorts, its bio-farms and the fantastic valley views are truly some of the most beautiful sights to behold. Besides, there are some enchanting trekking trails here that can be explored.Kerala’s backwatersKerala’s Backwater (Photo: Wikipedia)Not found anywhere else in the world,it is the most famous tourist attraction of Kerala. Travelling in a traditional houseboat along these backwaters and enjoying the scenic landscape is an extremely popular activity, especially among the foreign visitors. Take a kayaking tour of the backwaters and explore the rare aquatic flora and fauna. Some of the major centres for backwater tour in Kerala are: Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Pathiramanal, Kollam and Kochi.KalamachalKalamachal is near Vamanapuram near the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo: Neowebarts)It is another beautiful yet little known hill station of Kerala. Situated on the banks of the Vamanapuram River, Thiruvananthapuram, this place is perfect for people who want to get away from crowds. Simple village with small rubber plantations, some paddy fields and a few hills, Kalamachal has still not found a place in the list of important tourist destinations of Kerala. However, it is one of the few places which will offer you the best escape from the hustle bustle of city-life.Temples of KanjirapallySt Dominic’s Church – Kanjirappally, Kerala (Photo: Jayapen)It’s a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala that boasts of its religious harmony. It has a flourishing Christian population and home to some of the oldest churches, St. Dominic’s Cathedral is one of them. Noteworthy temples of this place are: Ganapathy Kovil and Madhura Meenakshi Temple. Nainaru is one of the popular mosques of the region.Vagamon for honeymoonersVagamon is a place blessed with the holly presence of hermits with Europeans legacies.Nestled among tea gardens, serene valleys and sloping hills, this place is a favourite spot with honeymooners. It also offers adventure-loving tourists options like paragliding, rock climbing and mountaineering. Many south Indian films have been shot here. If you love to shop, get yourself some of the best quality spices here.Pachakanam, perfect getawayPachakanam range,Its the largest ever green forest in India. Its located in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. (Photo: Jain Angadi)Curl up with a book amidst the silence of the jungles, take a jeep ride through the plantations, watch birds of rare species, stay at the Downtown Bungalow: Pachakanam offers to you a variety of ways to get away! Till about two centuries back, this place was almost inaccessible. But now, it’s a place worth a visit.Blue Mangoes HomeSituated in the boundary of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Blue Mangoes Home is a quiet and beautiful homestay. For those wanting to explore the mysteries of the rain forests and the animal kingdom, Blue Mangoes would be an ideal place. Located in the heart of Thekaddy, it is a convenient and affordable place to stay while also offering you a warm and hospitable welcome. During the evenings, cultural events can be organised upon your request.Spot a dolphin at Cherai beachVypeen, an island, situated in Vembanadu lake in Ernakulam. The Goshree bridge connects the island to the city of Kochi through ferries. (Photo: Amelie)This beautiful beach, bordering the Vypeen Island and the backwaters, is an upcoming tourist destination. This long, unspoiled and serene beach is an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing. Lined by thick coconut groves and fishing nets, the view is simply fascinating. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see dolphins springing out of the waters doing their grand acts.The Mattancherry PalaceThe Mattancherry Palace is famously known as the Dutch Palace. (Photo: Go Kerala)One of the most celebrated historical landmarks of Kerala, the Mattancherry Palace is located close to Ernakullam. The murals inside the palace speak about ancient culture and the artefacts that are on display take one back to the royal era. To reach Mattancherry Palace, take a boat ride from Ernakullam.Star gaze at Kerala’s planetariumsTo get a spectacular view of the night-time sky, buy yourself a ticket at the Cochin Planetarium and immerse yourself in the evening star-gazing sessions to discover the wonders of the universe!The Kovalam BeachKovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees.Kovalam, located 16 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram in South Kerala, is an internationally renowned beach and a favourite haunt of foreign tourists. Here, you can spend your time sunbathing, swimming, catamaran cruising, getting a body massage or attending a cultural programme. The beach complex also provides budget cottage and shopping facilities.Holiday on an islandPoovar is an unexplored destination engulfed by the unruffled backwaters. (Photo: Signature)Spend a special weekend on Kerala’s islands or lagoons with the mesmerizing sunset, balmy backwaters and scrumptious seafood! Among the popular islands are Bolghatty, Pathiramanal, Poovar, to name a few. To reach these places, you can only take a ferry or a boatRelax at MunnarMunnar – Perfect Honeymoon Destination (Photo: Sushmita Sarkar)This had always been the favoured summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers for its tea plantations, the serene valleys, the exotic species of flora and fauna and the aroma of spice that surrounds the place. There are several ways to enjoy your time at this captivating hill station. Cycle down the plantations and get a peek into the rural lifestyle of Kerala. Major attractions are: Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty, Chinnakanal waterfalls, Tea Museum.Fort CochinThe Chinese Fishing nets (Cheenavala) are mostly found in Kerala rather than China. (Photo: Jon & Laura)Embark on a walking tour down the cobbled streets of Fort Cochin, famous for its mansions, churches and bastions built by the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese 500 years ago. Vasco da Gama, one of the world’s most famous explorers, was buried here. While you are exploring the heritage of this place, do stop by at one of the cafes that line the streets and sip some coffee while watching the sea.Marari BeachMarari beach make it an ideal spot for those seeking to be in tranquility.Spend an evening walking on the endless miles of Marari sand-beach, amongst the swaying palms and the tranquil backwaters. Watch the men going out to the sea with their fish nets. Stay at a pool villa and unwind completely.Visit WayanadThe word Wayanad is a combination of Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it ‘The Land of Paddy Fields’.Often called the abode of India’s tribal population, Wayanad is a bio-diverse region situated on the lofty Western Ghats. Some of the popular attractions of this place would be: the spice plantations, the Chembra Peak, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, the Edakkal Caves and of course, the waterfall and the mist covered valleys.The Silent valleyThe Silent Valley National Park (Photo: Basanth)Located in the Nilgiri Hills, this National Park is a unique preserve of the rich mosaic of natural habitats. It is home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque and many other animal species that are not found anywhere else in the world! The Kuntipuzha River drains the entire length of the Park. Though this park is largely known for its exceptional ecosystem, its stability is fast dwindling.Parassinikkadavu Snake ParkThe Parassinikkadavu Snake park houses a variety of snakes and other small animals, including the Spectacle Cobra, King Cobra, Russell’s viper, Krait and various pit vipers. (Photo: Mavilayi)If you are fascinated by reptiles, visit the Parassinikkadavu Park in the Kannur district and have a different kind of adventure. Watch the long snakes with differently chequered bodies crawl and hiss within glass houses. Do not forget to greet the grand Cobra, lest you might annoy him!Explore the sandalwood forestsSandalwood Forest – Marayur (Photo: Naveen Guptha)Situated at a distance of 40 kms from Munnar, Marayur is a place known for its natural preserve of sandalwood forests. Explore its wilderness on an elephant top or hire a taxi. Do also visit its caves and have a look at those rock paintings which date back to the pre-historic area.Athirapally waterfallsAthirapally waterfalls (Photo: Krishna Srivatsa)Indulge in the splendour of Athirapally waterfalls which are in full flow after the monsoons. The Athirapally forests are home to some of the most exotic species of flora and fauna, including the Great Indian Hornbill, Cochin Forest Cane Turtle and lion tailed macaque. The place is also a popular location for Bollywood film shoots.Arabian Dhow at BeyporeThe wooden sailing vessels — call them the dhow, uru, machchua or the jalbooth — have been plying on the Arabian Sea. (Photo: The Hindu)The making of an Arabian Dhow is a 1500 year old tradition at Beypore, a small town located close to Calicut in Kerala. The Arabian Dhows, or Urus, are massive ships that are made here and then supplied to the Gulf. These ships are made entirely by hand and they require minimum maintenance. And there is no metal used, except the nails! In the modern times, the Arabian Dhows are fast disappearing from the shipping scene.Kuttanad, the lowest altitude destinationKuttand is known for its picturesque vast paddy fields and its geographical peculiarities.Kuttanad is a town in Kerala which lies around 1 to 2 metres below the sea level. It is well known for its paddy fields and its several villages. There are many rivers that flow through this region. So take a tour of Kuttanad andwatch in amazement the beauty of this place.Vembanad LakeVembanad Lake (Photo: Indian Biodiversity)One of the most beautiful lakes of Kerala, Vembanad is located close to Kottayam in Kumarakom. It’s a popular picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination. It provides fishing, boating and sightseeing experiences that are truly marvellous. Visit the lake during the festival of Onam when it comes alive with snake boat races.Christmas in Central TravancoreChristmas Celebration (Photo: The Hindu)Central Travancore is wrapped in an air of festivity during the time of Christmas. The whole town is lit up with patterns of stars and LED lamps. Carol groups enthral people with their chorus singing in the evening. Major churches prepare a variety of cribs at their premises. St. Mary’s Cathedral would be one among them.Coastal MalabarMalabar Coast (Photo: Telegraph)Come visit this region to relax your weary senses! The Malabar coastline owes its picturesque beauty to the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea located on either side of the coast. Besides, its deciduous forests make the region picture perfect. Do not miss a ride in the famous Malabar boats. One can also visit the Thusharagiri Waterfalls and the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary while in this region.PonmudiAranmula Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna’s role as Arjuna’s Charioteer in the Mahabharatha warBereft of the humdrum din of the cities, Ponmudi is another of Kerala’s hill-stations that is the centre of attraction for people who are looking for small holiday locations. This place lies close to the Aranmula boat race venue held annually as a part of Aranmula Temple Festival. Be a part of the festival and make your holiday tour a memorable one!Vythiri resortVythiri ResortTucked away in the hills of Wayanad is an arcane world where you can feel the cool breeze brushing your face and view the mist kissing the mountain peaks. Out here, you will get to experience the world-renowned services of Kerala’s top spa resorts. Daydream while sitting by the water pool, explore the wilderness of the forests of Wayanad or spend a romantic evening around the bonfire with your special someone.KodanadKodanad – Elephant Training Centre (Photo: Indian Panorama)Kodanad is located on the southern banks of the Periyar River amidst the high ranges near Perumbavoor. It’s one of the largest elephant training centres in Kerala. It is definitely an attraction for elephant lovers. Also, the famous Malayatoor Church is situated near Kodanad.The Bakel fortBekal Fort, the largest fort in Kerala, grandiloquent poetry in laterite, spreads over 35 acres of land jutting into the Arabian Sea. (Photo: BRDC)This is one of the most well-preserved forts of Kerala, located close to the state of Karnataka. It would be apt to call it an archaeologist’s haven since it has been the site of several excavations for a long time. Many religious structures and other artefacts had been dug out, giving the historian a peek into ancient times.KollamKollam or Quilon, an old sea port and town on the Arabian coast in Kerala, India, on the Ashtamudi Lake. (Photo: KTDC Kerala)Extolled by discoverers and travellers of the Old World, like Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta, this place had been one of the leading trade capitals once and now is the country’s centre for cashew trading and processing industry. The Malayalam Calendar kollavarsham derives its name from this city.FOOD/ BEVERAGES:Toddy to get you HighToddy – Palm wine, an alcoholic beverage. (Photo: City Journal)Kerala and coconut go hand in hand. Coconut palms pervade the landscape of this place. A sip of the cool and refreshing coconut nectar is a must! Also enjoy a scoop of the soft white flesh, which is nutrition at its natural best. And do not forget to ask your tour guide to arrange for you madhura kallu, the freshly extracted toddy from coconut palm. It tastes best with karimeen pollichathu (baked freshwater fish) or spicy pickles. It is an intoxicating drink and an important part of Kerala’s traditions.Have some SnacksBanana Chips (Photo: Zesty South Indian Kitchen)Kerala has a wide variety of crispy snacks. Some of them are: ethkka (banana) chips, chakka vattal (jackfruit chips), pappadam, achappam, kuzhalappam, cheeda and churuttu. Carry back bagful of these snacks. Enjoy them with friends or serve them to guests. All are definitely worth every penny spent on them!Taste PayasamPayasam is an Indian sweet which is very popular in Kerala. (Photo: Cooks Joy)Treat your sweet tooth with payasam, Kerala’s no.1 sweet delicacy and also a favourite among the tourists. It is prepared with in milk with vermicelli and rice/ gram. It can also be garnished with dry fruits like raisins and nuts. It tastes best with salty snacks.Spice up your lifeKerala – Spice Capital of India (Photo: Lettuce)Kerala is often called the Spice Coast of India owing to the variety of spices that grow here. This festive season, take home a bagful of exotic spices and impress your guests by your aromatic cooking. Spices that grow well in this region are: cardamom, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, mint, curry leaves, rosemary, oregano and vanilla. Also avail yourself of the special gift pouches!Have some teaThattukada – Road Side Tea Stall in Kerala. (Photo: Nizar)Kerala is very well known for its tea plantations. As you take a walk through the green tea hills of Kerala, the strong aroma will lead you to factories which had been established over a hundred years ago. Here, you get to taste some of the finest variety of tea in the country. Also, do not forget to stop by athattukada, a roadside kiosk, for a metre of the best tea you will ever taste!Go bananasBanana PlantationThis is yet another thing Kerala is known for: its banana plantations here, different types of plantains’ come in various colours and sizes, from which are made crisp banana chips that are a popular snack in Kerala. Bananas are perhaps the most versatile fruit as they can be used to make a variety of eatables like chips, milk shake, ice cream and special banana dishes.Munch an UppumangaKanji is an inevitable part of Keralite life. (Photo: Aswathi Babu)During the mango season, Keralites start picking good quality tender mangoes and make various things with it. These mangoes are preserved in brine for months (uppumanga), which then goes very well with Kerala style porridge or “Kanji”.Feast yourself on a SadhyaOnam SadhyaSavour the typical vegetarian meal of Kerala. It’s a multi-course feast of rice, 12-15 vegetarian dishes, pickles, banana chips, pappadams, plantains and payasam- the dessert, served in a specific order on a banana leaf. So sit yourself on the floor, roll up your sleeves and get started!Kaikka’s and Pai BrothersEnjoy Biryani in Kerala (Photo: Suja Manoj)At Kerala, the cuisine is as diverse as it is delicious. For example, the biryani at Kaikka’s in Mattancherry is almost legendary. The rice is cooked in ghee and is then strewn with mutton pieces. The complimentary chutney is made out of marinated plump dates. Also drop in at the Pai Brothers for their 36 varieties of thattu dosas!Thodupuzha and pineapplesMalankara Reservoir is an artificial lake created by the Malankara Dam constructed across the waters from the tail-gate of the Moolamattom Power House. (Photo: AHEC)Often called the “pineapple city”, this place abounds in pineapples. Blessed with natural scenic beauty, Thodupuzha is also a major tourist destination. The Malankara Dam is a beautiful reservoir across the Thodupuzha River. Other tourist spots here are: Elapilly waterfalls, Nadu Kani Pavilion, Paramada Echo Point and Thumbichi Point. Because of its beautiful surroundings, this place is also a hot spot for movie makers.Go nuts!Munch on dry fruits this winter! At Kerala, you can avail yourself of cashews at surprisingly affordable rates, especially from Kollam where these plantations abound. Eat them raw or get them grilled, fried, salted or spiced. Carry them back home and mix them with flavoured milk or sweet dish.Kerala – God’s Own CountrySo are you ready to treat yourself with a holiday this season? Have a blast!

Disaster Survival & coping with Climate-Change is highly correlated with home multi-tasked self-sufficiency level! SO:Become as permanently & highly Frugal & Self-Reliant S-R as possible all your life as we have over 40 years for virtually FREE. Then one wouldn’t mind if, as predicted imminently by great panels of US experts, that suddenly you needed replacements for: jobs, banks (at the bottom of garden), markets & FOOD, medicals & health, utilities, car, transport, fuel, energy (California is reportedly verging thus + massive bush fires), water & sewage, partner, security or happiness, insurance, pension, legal + solicitors, dole or cheques cashed + reduced entertainment, education, news & library ... Well, this has already started to happen with long collapse of the US Government + Already in Australia not long ago Centerlink, ATO, Medicare & Army went on strike; Airport was considering. Plus the universal Virus Pandemic. If you drive or bus to Melbourne from Brisbane, as we have over years, you would only see about 10 front-gardens with food trees! So what’s with 'world hunger' & 'over-population'? Optimum low cost family is when one partner works, the other helps family become highly self-reliant. Swap jobs every 6 months or less! Please circulate this - other folk may need tomorrow!Such action is actually not new because when Britain, unable to support itself, was desperately running out of food when all the Nazi U-boat submarines were creating disaster havoc sinking so many 100s of American & British food supply ships. A British hero lady – name anyone? – created the Women’s Land Army to rapidly make UK entirely Self-Sufficient in food by converting every spare sq-ft of land into food-growing whether private gardens, allotments, nationsl parks, road verges, disused farm sections, city parks & forests + wild areas like near beaches – just as we have here on our 1/4 acre, 35-year-old Edible Jungle. Everyone of sound body automatically became an efficient Farmer - & Britain could well feed itself at last…To Survive, the future will have to be highly off-grid self-sufficient & per person, per family, per village, per town, per city, per region & per country with very little need of big trucks, ships or planes. Everyone will thus be far more interesting & interested than now. We welcome visitors to our ¼ acre, 35 year Edible Jungle + Solar home (inferring enough work to do at home), reputedly the most S-R here. Can’t figure why most everybody doesn’t want simply & cheaply to be highly self-sufficient & thus live for virtually FREE like we do on 5% of, & get rich on remaining age pension or dole (70 & 87 years) or being very frugal, as anyone can without mortgage. That is what we set out to prove & write about decades ago. With suburban homes far too close to be self-reliant, folk may massively separate. Or like family, they can have food plants + dwarf food trees in 100 veranda + driveway pots & along roadways + roof solar. TV + Media will become stuffed with such Survival + related Clubs all over. You need to have hobbies, a home business - like farmers - researching something, learn music or a language, write a big book etc.Future of Farming must include: Insects, worms, Plant Meat, Seaweed, Hydroponics, Fish Farms, Feral or Wildlife instead of destructive cows, Vertical Gardens, Algae, Bush Tucker, Factory Farms & Robotics. +Fertilizer = occasional water sprinkle, dig in Seaweed, compost, worms, grass, paper, volcanic rock-dust, wood ashes, some minerals, urine & humanure, manure, kitchen cut-up scraps without meat or oils; surface mulch of garden scraps, cuttings & grass + stones + previous items in this list except seaweed.DESALINATION: Make all the ocean deserts Food-Productive using basic Nuclear Desalination efficiently + pumping-.-.-,Hope you been stockpiling loo rolls + masses of tinned, jarred or packet food etc (needing no fridge) for months as we have with good foresight, because several times the Bible mentions that we must always PLAN; at least until your Self-Reliance is established.-.-.-.-. Everyone who dies from Virus etc should have a cheap cardboard coffin & buried vertically to save space, if not cremated...Buy nothing Chinese or from unknown origin. This forces me to suggest everybody not buy anything for 6 months apart from local food. Your common sense should dictate that if you buy surgical gloves for instance as a necessity, put your hands in plastic bags to open the box, destroy the box + then thoroughly wash each glove including the 2 plastic hand bags, in hot water; dry in the sun.==========================================But what is Self-Sufficiency? We title much that follows: Sustainable Home Engineering S.H.E.ABOUT AUSTRALIA’S MOST RECOGNISED EMISSIONLESS HEALTHY BUDGET SOLAR HOME Climate Change Sustainable Future Museum - My Current l/3-Century Progress Example to Millions.The mentality of those who caused the problem (Climate Change) cannot fix it - Einstein. Poor of rich countries feed rich of poor counties - Korean diplomat.We are not rich because we have the most - but because we need the least…The best way to predict the future is to create it - Pete DruckerYou can never solve a problem with the same kind of thinking that caused the problem ... A.Einstein, Society must Sustainably Live Conserved Renewables, contrary to visionless nuke-powered 'experts' floundering in empty-dams on exhausted-land under contaminated-skies, gorging polluted-muck...Start LIVE PRE-FREE GROUPS to help accelerate safety! Benefit from our Home Tiny-Tours, Chats, Workshops, Sustainable Future Museum that we are vastly expanding + Apt-Data-Centre Library.Optimum low cost family is when one partner works, the other helps family become highly self-sufficient. Swap jobs every 6 months or less! Please circulate this - other folk may need tomorrow!Politicians & Councillors seldom if ever have the necessary Uni Degrees or training to deal successfully with such as Climate Change!!Become Self-Reliant, Address Climate Change & Disaster-Proof rapid & cheap off-grid as we did over 40 years ago, for virtually FREE. HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE FUTURE: WOT 2 DO: Be Frugal all your life to Save over $100,000 cash for your bank at the bottom of the garden to avoid Banks. An ancient Chinese sage proverb correctly states that everyone should live as if they were poor because one day they could well be.I can’t stand: hotels, taxis, fuel. Cars & car sales, petrol or diesel, planes as unsafe, trash, lack of Self-reliance, dumb unscientific politicians, single-use plastics, chain saws instead of circular portable saws, barbers, fast foods, restaurants, sugar, soft drinks, newspapers & mags unless containing vital data, drugs, restaurants, pubs, smoke or drug, or gamble, never visit prostitutes, never rent, never insure & never mortgage… Always buy second-hand or cheap Home Brands - Avoid all single-use items like plastic + such bags + newspapers + Magazines unless they contain vital data + avoid all PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE items - We should all be treating our own trash, or not making or acquiring any: RECYCLE, RESTORE, REUSE, REACTIVATE, REMODEL, REDESIGN, REHABILITATE, RECONDITION, RENEW, or Burn, Bury, Compost or Mulch all other “waste”.Before buying a place where weapons are forbidden, I have a home-published scoring system for acceptability on a dead-end street: water & rain water on the block, near transport, shops & doctors etc, not down-wind from factories, mines, dumps, heavy traffic, Nukes, nor near potential nuclear targets, or pollution, flooding, or disaster areas (earth quakes, trash, hurricanes, military, crime…), etc. ``We are virtually surrounded by thick jungle & down a hollow to avoid cyclone damage; yet enjoy ocean breezes filtering through the purifying Paradise jungle. Conversely to American DELTEC circular hurricane-proof homes, there are millions of fire-prone wooden American homes & yet our same or cheaper kit home wont burn & I have photos to prove it when 3 wild fires were attacking. You would think the ridiculous banks would support a home that won’t burn or blow down!!! Our home has 3 huge long bolts that attach roof to concrete basement. I lived through Fijian Hurricane Heine in intentionally in a prestressed concrete hostel & noticed a thatched cottage - of many - next door survive because 3 long barbed wires over the roof were tied to huge car axels hammered into the ground at an angle; which should function to protect a caravan.Check local Council rules. Underground on the side of a hill would be ideal to be flood-proof. For FARMLETTS in the bush, cut down all trees & mow if not goat-eat the grass in a 100m circle around the home. First live in a caravan or van in a warm climate like Islands near Brisbane or Hawaii with freshwater access - our ¼ acre & small house Farmlett is plenty - after selling the main house & virtually everything else not needed on future FARMLETT so you will have plenty of spare cash & converting is then FREE. Before making a house, Plant an Edible Jungle on 1/4 acre using poo, piss, buried seaweed & compost, wood ashes & volcanic rock dust = fertilizer etc. Virtually all dwarf food trees, including leaf greens + sweet potato + fruits & veggies. Water tanks should be concrete or same as fire-proof galvo roof + reject first half hour of rain to clean air & roof (commercial plumbing for that). Possibly dig a 15m x 2m x 4m deep dam. Long range Chinese Freego electric folding K scooter charged by solar panel via an inverter + mains adaptor; or bike pulled by a vegetarian Dachshund dog. I always had a tiny folding hub-gear kid’s bike I converted with tall seat post + bag + big front sprocket, OK on buses.All solar power super-cheap 12-volt system should cost about $400 for a 46 watt solar panel to power a blender from a starter motor, bilge tank pump, TV, windup radio & torches etc, bed warmer is a rheostat variable power resistor, LED lights, fans, coffee heater, even a big homemade fridge etc. Fridge alternative is a commercial FRESHIELD vacuum food preservers + hand pump + many sized containers; ours now for 1/4 century (sausages fresh for months; check weekly & pump again if the pressure rises slightly). We hand-spray our T-shirt with water, then have a small fan or breeze playing on the moist T-shirt in real heat waves, that usually gets too cold & we have to slow or redirect the fan. With 2 or 4 watt car fan or portable battery fan playing on bare legs is much cooler than if fan playing on face, arms etc; fans can often save more than ½ air conditioning power that we find unnecessary even in Queensland. Ceiling cooling fans set on 1 or 2 are perfect. Our sea breezes via open windows & doors are generally sufficient. For low-humidity areas we have a tiny 12volt water evaporator; big home units are very economical & take little power to supply cool air ducted around to each room. They avoid costly A/C. Or for cooking, get a small motor generator only to run the microwave oven for minutes if you have no 12 volt microwave, which are available.Suggest a highset 1 big room fire-flood-proof kit home like ours for 35 years - eg steel frame, Hardyplank cladding & galvo roof + thick insulated ceiling. Also have a rain-proof attic air-vent allowing the air to blow right through the house attic length = vastly cooler even in tropics. 3 layers of box cardboard insulates floors under carpets. Also on walls behind Book cases & cupboards against walls facing outside + in ceilings. 28cm thick loft insulation. Our home has huge long bolts that attach roof to concrete basement. Fire-proof Steel frames are reportedly cheaper than wooden. I have photos of fires safely engulfing the home when I didn’t even call the fire brigade during 3 fires - figuring they would be too busy elsewhere on ridiculous wooden-house safety. Mentioning all this to governments, councils, PM & fire brigades has zero effect = their collective too-hard baskets.-.-.-.``SHTF Toilets: FLUSH? We don’t because we have a deep failsafe simple 1-2m hole or trench in the ground dug manually in a few minutes or by a powered borer. A metal cylinder is on top, or place a commercial square folding toilet from Camping goods stores safely over the hole + on top with a comfortable toilet seat which can be 1/2 a tyre that had been cut in two around its tread circumference + lid topping that, which can be a bit of fibreboard.. Never failed us for 35 years, like the Incas, Mayans & Aztecs who dug muck out after a while for their gardens. You can do likewise by waiting some months using another hole, then with a hinged shovel hole-digger, extract the rich muck out for fertilizer - hence reuse same first hole. Or when full, plant a food tree in the old hole & dig another hole after about 2 to 4 years for a couple. Be careful no fresh water is used nearby! Such simple convenience is open to the elements (umbrella handy) but surrounded with sugar-cane privacy. Hole was only used for defecating - urination especially from females - was near all the food trees with miraculous results. It would be decades before even a trace of resultant compacted compost would leak into nearby rivers - if at all. All FREE & utterly Reliable, didn’t smell, didn’t get clogged, no bugs frogs or snakes as often found in sheds, hygienic & sterilised by sun & rain, safe & hygienic with the best view in the house! We have a bucket + seat loo on veranda instead of going midnight bush.Solar for 8 cookers (no axe) such as coiled matt-black pipe on a circular foam insulator for solar hot water. Prunings etc provide sticks for our small smokeless air-preheating, after-burning 1-stick at a time HELIXTOVE: like gas stoves, it won't trigger lecture theatre smoke detectors. Fan-free if no smaller than critical size shown at end, especially if mud-insulated & a cyclone-style hubcap like |----\ /----| tops its 17cms opening + safety mesh. Aluminum sheet under pot keeps it free of soot. Try overall geometry with thin card!Ask for more data re 12 volt system etc if keen! You can easily make a non-electric solar water heater, or they are cheap. STAMP ON LAUNDRY IN A BOWL WHILST SHOWERING.LIVE WITH EXTREME COLD WITHOUT MODERN HEATING?: Acclimatise - Geothermal hot springs - massive clothes & bed clothes + beanie cap & gloves - animals or dog in bed - my 2 girls either side of me in bed. Note rare glassed Cornish veranda above. Norwegian, unlike Swedish, animals are barned below the 2-story farm household all winter & they keep home above & the adjacent hayloft warm - they have it made. During summer a tractor drives up a ramp to deliver stock feed to top floor hayloft, which is dropped in pieces to stock below during winter. Winter manure is later tractored over the fields as fertilizer in summer. If you only have enough grass for a brief fire, heat up several hot water bottles. Libraries are nice & warm in winter, as are churches with their copious tea, pies & cakes. In South Brisbane, St.Vinnies DePaul have free board & lodging; or at least certain exact times, free meals out the back for anyone. I have used their kindness next to a big church for years. If you have hot water laid on, or a radiator o fireplace to heat water, fill 2-3 hot water bottles & store them hot for a day in the bed one on top of the other until you get into bed. I put one beside my back or stomach when sleeping on my side – or on my lap & feet if sitting at a desk; then no radiator or fireplace is needed. We immigrated to warmer places.8 SOLAR COOKERS & HEATERS own inventions: 1. Eske solar oven with glass sheet on open box, black inside, outside mirror on hinged lid helps.2. My Universal Conical stainless steel solar mirror stove has a line-focus along its pot axis. If from a circular stainless sheet, a pie angle = 1050 is removed, solar reflector becomes an ideal right-angle cone. Much easier to fold than a parabola & free of hotspots. Smaller pot diameter = greater solar concentration. Move it to roughly sun-follow.3. Black matt canister full of water with wardrobe mirror winter enhancer as solar water-heater. Prefer to insulate unheated tank sides.4. Cheap black matt 1” hosepipe full of water from kitchen tap out of window, coiled on to circular foam insulation facing the sun for hour or so. Turn tap on slow = effective solar shower in or outside, even in Cornish Winter, the mildest in UK: or return hose outlet to kitchen sink for hot water.5.`Repeating from elsewhere: Coffee warmer usually not boiled only taken to very warm, is a reduced-jug element run from main 12-colt solar battery or directly to a solar panel - handy if in a thermos with 2 wires running in + thermometer via a cork.6. Searchlight parabolic mirrors - possibly cut in half for greater accessibility - give much more than 400watts needed for high energy cooking.7. Fresnel TV flat Lens = favourite as it ingeniously cooks opaque food like stews, coffee, soups gravy etc. Sun shining via the lens focuses into a black-painted dry-interior tin largely submerged in the stew, without a mirror.8. $50 Inventor’s Award Solar “Funnel” water heater combines heating & storage. Sealed at one end, Irrigation Pipe length 15 ft but any length OK, by 5 inches diameter, holds 15 gallons. Prop this up usually against the house so as to be perpendicular to the winter sola radiation - or near horizontally EAST-WEST at any level from ground, often the higher is better as on flat roof to enable sola-heated water to emerge from the pipe mouth into the home reticulation system by gravity. The sun-facing pipe-side is painted matt black, whilst the other side is foam-insulated. To get hot water from it, a garden hose reaches from some cold-water tap, into the pipe mouth right down through the water to the bottom. Thus, cold water entering the hose simply displaces an equal rate of hot water to overflow at the SOLA FUNNEL hot top end into the shower or home system.OPTIONS: Several. Unless pipe is covered all round nightly, it won’t remain hot.12 volt OFF-GRID appliances: HOME 12-VOLT APPLIANCES WE MAKE, OR GET FROM CARAVAN, SURVIVAL, CAMPING OR BOAT SHOPS. Obviously not all very low power items are ever on simultaneous to the 12 volt old car battery that is charged merely by small 1x 45 watt solar panel for 27 years should cost about $300 - FOR FREE thereafter - or charged by mains adaptor, HYDRO, BIO fire, OR WIND... Fans are 2-4 watts + mosquito-bug zapper, brilliant LED lights are about 1–2 watts, yacht pump + tiny check valve is for tank fresh rainwater & not much wider than a garden hose that fed it only. Blender from a small starter motor. Coffee warmer usually not boiled only taken to very warm, is a reduced jug element - handy if in a thermos with 2 wires running via a cork + thermometer. TV is a small B&W 12 volt set, 12 volt power tools, Bed warmer is a rheostat variable power resistor in a MILO can -.-.- Had no Microwave then but 12 volt units are low power for seconds only; or reserve a small motor generator merely for a big microwave oven. Many items were windup or separate solar like radios (even FM-SW) & lamps-.-.-. Items less than 12 volt like: 6 volt pocket computer printer, 3 volt shaver, mixer etc ran off a string of forward-biased 3amp diodes from the main 12 volt battery. A garden pump without battery far away on the 1/4 acre Edible Jungle had its own relatively unused 46 watt solar panel - which can also be used to charge the TRiCAR battery. Superformance!! Plus there is a big solar water heater & cookers.Clothes Not wrung out avoids ironing, or under mattress - hang clothes on line even on veranda or in open garage in cold climate. Methane digesters from sewage only if animals because 1 human digested shit not enough to cook 1 meal - wasteful giant lithium batteries + gravity type battery like grand-pa clock - 2 different metals in salt water = batteries, computer & printer, commercial thermo electric generator we don’t have but works on stove when no wind, sun or hydro energy available - 3rd world battery welding using 2x 12-volt batteries - many 12volt appliances including gravity light & our Blackout Kit consisting of a 12-volt battery occasionally charged by mains or by solar panel & used to power small TV, radio, tiny fans, LED lights & mobile - Hindi oil lamp = 3 or more cones of cotton wool in oil + mirror behind - - etc. Our big homemade efficient 12 volt fridge is described under KEEP COOL section. Don’t buy a solid state cooler that draws loads of useless current. But simply get a 12 volt Esky camping fridge with compressor on the lid. These are not very efficient so insulate well all around with about 12 cm polyurethane foam, except on the compressor of course.Off-Grid without a big battery is easy: Simply have a good inverter to produce 12-volt or 120 or 240-volt etc when it is sunny, so then you can cook, charge the e-scooter or dual 12 volt TRiCAR, do laundry, heat coffee, warm bed hot water bottles, use blender, even small printer + sewing machine + charge small battery devices like mobiles + charge “BLACKOUT KIT Battery”. This small car battery provides many nightly HOURS of power to several brilliant LED lamps on cables, radio, 2 or 4 watt 12-volt fans + small 12-volt color TV, mobile charging, laptop etc.Ideal plan-view cool-climate house shape is my “SUNNY HOME” with glassed sun-facing veranda & big windows on sloping ends that house-heat most of the day if sunny; /TTTTT\ like our Cornwall UK home that over-heated entire winter to summer temps; door to house from veranda had wide slit above & below, covered at night. Note corridor connecting rooms below. A lake facing the house sun-side heats house even more by reflection. Let us know if you want finer details! Have summer holidays up a mountain.MICRO FOOD GARDEN: Of masses of farms visited & worked on over decades, I have yet to find one farmer anywhere practising even a little self-sufficiency. They all sell cheap whole-sale & buy expensive retail! Fill the space with dwarf fruit trees including along foot paths; don’t forget many vegetable leaves are nutritious, etc) + vine crops like passion-fruit + 2 perennial bean types along walls + but don’t forget pine trees are quite edible + several plants that are our medicine like SamBung + bush tucker. Up to most any 3 trees can be planted in one hole with usual size fruit though trees will be smaller. Plant potatoes in a tire laying flat on plastic bug-proof mesh & full of soil; as plants grow taller, stack on more earth-filled tires. Piss on the lot, especially female piss. Can grow virtually all food in 100 pots as my sister-in-law proved on verandas & walkways, driveways & fruit trees beside road pavements + on flattish roof.,. Seaweeds + insects are future nutritious foods.Outback in Australian desert, farmers have disobeyed the Bible by over-stocking, over-populating & over-cropping their farms into horrible deserts. Yet the wide strip of land often between their fence & the roads I once detected 15 weeds & grasses, 8 of which I found very tasty. Miracle.In our 35 years here + 7 in UK’s warmest Cornwall having planted nothing that isn't edible, including ground cover (= sweet potatoes etc), on ¼ acre minimum effort Edible Jungle of extraordinary plants including sturdy native & medicinal like SAMBUNG & Bele. `` With largely tree food, greater efficiency than ground crops & so little work to do, apart from occasional pruning & edible clover grass-cutting, that I got mild diabetes-2. Tropical fruits are generally more nutritious than cool climate items. ``Preserving Fruit via water, cool, vacuum, jam, juice, wine, sola dry, preserves, pickles, vinegar & cordials. There are nutritious dirt-cheap tree alternatives to: bread, pudding (black sapote), butter (avocado), milk (white sapote, custard apple, Peruvian Cow Tree = Brosimum Alicastrum or better still B.Utile…), sugarless jams are tops, ice-cream (custard apple), drinks, many medicines, many native foods & bush-tucker... more Cuttings to share from all our food trees you could ever want. When tomato plants have given a good crop, rejuvenate them by covering the plants with rich soil to start again. Land & home prices here are vastly less than on mainland. Could be worth taking metal chelating agent medicine to rid your body of metals. Try not to frequent crowded places or transport. Healthy greens come from many sources: hibiscus, sweet potato leaf, peanut leaf, clover, tops of many vegies like carrots, & onions, Bele = tree lettuce has 70 times more Vitamin A than cabbage & lettuce, mulberry especially white + fennel etc.

I will like to share some lesser known places from India which might not be as surreal as some places mentioned here, but they are beautiful in their own way and hence worth a visit.SOURCE - Page on scoopwhoop.comTarkarli, MaharashtraFrankly, almost any beach on the Konkan coast could have qualified for this spot. Tarkarli, in Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, with its pristine waters, long and narrow beaches with Shuru trees in the background, managed to earn some extra points. It's one of the most peaceful and non-commercialized beaches in India.Lambasingi, Andhra PradeshThe very fact that Lambasingi, in Vishakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, is one of those rare places in South India that boasts of snowfall makes this village an amazing place. Throughout the year, the temperature there ranges from 0°C to 10°C, earning it the nickname, 'Kashmir of South India'. Better go there before the others do.Osian, RajasthanOsian village in Jodhpur district in Rajasthan is a delight for those who love historical architecture and the fact that you get to see all of it in an oasis in the Thar Desert makes it a double whammy. The 8th to 11th century temples there make this village a must-visit destination.Keibul Lamjao on Loktak Lake, ManipurKeibul Lamjao, in Bishnupur district in Manipur is the world's only floating park and it's also home to the endangered Sangai deer. The floating garden on Loktak Lake is a result of decomposing plant material, locally called phumdis. You have to see it to believe it.Kasar Devi/Crank's Ridge, UttarakhandIf you're interested in the hippie-way of life but are tired of the huge number of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, you need to make it a point to visit Kasar Devi village near Almora in Uttarakhand. Crank's Ridge, or Hippie Hill as the locals call it, on the way to Kasar Devi temple is also a historical place for hippies. Legends like Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens are some of the few people who visited this place during the peak of the Hippie movement in the sixties.Lonar Crater, MaharashtraLocated in Buldana district in Maharashtra, the Lonar Crater Lake was formed around 570,000 years ago due to a meteor impact. Owing to its high concentration of carbonate salts it's categorized as a saline soda lake. So, it's a soda lake formed by a crater. Enough said.Krem Mawmluh & Krem Ri Blai, MeghalayaCave exploration hasn't taken off in a big way in India, which is really surprising considering there are so many options to do so in this country. Krem Mawmluh and Krem Ri Blai, in Mehgalaya, are natural horizontal and vertical caves respectively. Make it a point to visit them at least once in your life.Killar-Kishtwar Highway, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & KashmirYou cannot be a true traveler until you go on an exciting road trip. Speaking of which, the one trail you need to experience is the treacherous but life-changing ride from Himachal Pradesh to Jammu & Kashmir through the Killar-Kishtwar Highway. Not for the faint hearted, this scenic mountain pass is even more fun if you're traveling with fellow bikers. Just keep yourself updated on news about landslides and roadblocks.Ziro, Arunachal PradeshZiro is a town in the Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh and it has been hosting the Ziro Festival of Music for the past three years. But here's the thing - the quaint little town is so attractive, that even without a crowd pulling event, it would find a spot on this list.Haflong, AssamNorth-East India is dotted with hill stations but surprisingly, Haflong is the only one in Assam. The center of the Dima Hasao district, Haflong is known for its cool climate, local liquor and an overwhelming love of pork. The Haflong Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire North-east. Not visiting this hill town would be a huge mistake.Auli, UttarakhandWe Indians usually tend to associate snow with places like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir or Sikkim but did you know Uttarakhand actually has one of the most exciting ski destinations? The picturesque town of Auli hosts the National Championships of Snow Skiing and right next to the Clifftop Hotel, the town also has the world's highest artificial lake.Nuranang Falls, Arunachal PradeshLocated about 2 km away from the town of Jang on the road connecting Tawang and Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh, Nuranang Falls is one the most attractive ones in Northeast India. After a song from the 1997 Bollywood film Koyla was filmed here, the place attracted more tourists.Tinchuley, West BengalEven though its neighbours,Siliguri and Darjeeling have been thronged by tourists, the small village of Tinchuley has escaped the rush. Perfect for quiet strolls and family outings, this village gets its name from the three main peaks surrounding it that resemble three chimneys. The view points on these peaks, from which you can see Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong and even Mount Kanchenjungha, are a major draw for the few visitors this place receives.Nighoj, MaharashtraSituated 90 kms away from Pune, this village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra is famous for the unusual but naturally created potholes on the Kukadi riverbed. Geologists say that sometime in the past, the Kukadi river must have flowed out of the highlands and hit the rocks with such force that it resulted in these potholes and even a gorge that runs along the riverbed.Daringbadi, OdishaConsidering summers are pretty hot in Odisha, with temperatures going well above 50°C in many places, it is quite surprising that the state also has a place like Daringbadi, which is known to receive snowfall in winter. This little hill station is surrounded by thick rain forests with an abundance of wild animals.Kaas Plateau, MaharashtraKaas Plateau lies on the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats, 22 km from Satara City, Maharashtra. The 1000 hectare plateau is layered with wild flowers and if you were to visit the place in August or September, there's a chance you might think you've ended up in a B.R. Chopra film or a scenic HD wallpaper - it's just that beautiful.Gurudongmar Lake, SikkimLocated at a height of 17,100 ft, Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on his way to Tibet, stopped here to quench his thirst. With his stick, he cracked the ice which led to the formation of the lake. It is said that even during the roughest winter, there is always some part of the lake that remains unfrozen.Dharchula, UttarakhandOn the way to Mansarovar Lake, lies Dharchula, a scenic town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It's a border town between Indian and Nepal and yet people from both sides pass through without any restrictions, as long as they aren't carrying any cargo. The Rung people living in the area have been native to this place before recorded history.Garamur, AssamGaramur is one of the many satras in Majuli, the world's largest river island. Majuli has been the cultural centre of the Ahom Kingdom but the tragedy it faces today is that of land erosion, owing to the aggressive flooding in this region. Dance, theatre, mask-making, Vaishnavite culture are all parts of everyday life in Majuli. Garamur, in particular, is one of the key attractions in this region.Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar IslandsRadhanagar Beach, aka Beach No. 7 in Havelock, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is quite unique. Ideally, it shouldn't have been on this list, considering it's quite famous. In 2004, TIME magazine even voted it as the 'Best Beach in Asia'. But the way this beach is maintained and the serene nature of the waters around it, makes you feel like its your own private inlet. Thankfully, it hasn't seen the gross commercialization that most other popular beaches do.Pelling, SikkimThis small town in West Sikkim is slowly waking up to its strategic importance, especially for trekkers and mountaineers. However, most of the land around Pelling is still pretty much untouched by "tourism" making it one of the best places to visit in the state. The holy Khecheopalri Lake and the ancient Pemayangtse Monastery are other potential crowd pullers in the area.Gandikota, Andhra PradeshIndia's answer to the Grand Canyon, Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh is a amazing place to visit. The village has a fort, some temples and even a Jamia Masjid. But the best part about this place is the Pennar river, which cuts through the canyon. Still a relatively quiet place, this village has huge potential for tourism.Phawngpui, MizoramQuite frankly, Mizoram doesn't get the credit it deserves when it comes to tourism. Once you visit the state, you'll realize the abundant varieties of flora and fauna that can be found there. Phawngpui Peak is the highest one in Mizoram and it offers an amazing view of the Myanmar border and the hills and valleys below.Phuktal Monastery, Jammu & KashmirImagine a monastery built like a honeycomb. Well, you don't really have to if you've seen the Phuktal Monastery in Ladakh. This cliff-side monastery was built in the 12th century and it houses about 70 Buddhist monks. The foundation of the entire thing is merely built with clay and twigs. The monastery is built right under a cave entrance on the cliff. The earliest inhabitants of the cave were the 16 legendary followers of Buddha, whose images can still be found on the cave walls.Tosh, Himachal PradeshTosh is the new Kasol. Imagine Kasol without its shops, plethora of restaurants, hotels and you have Tosh. Still mostly a village with slate roof houses, Tosh is soon turning out to be the new favourite of hippies coming to Himachal for the good stuff. Located 3 kms up from Bharsheni, Tosh is connected to the rest of the world through a wooden bridge. But once you go there, you might feel you're in a different era altogether. Or it could be other substances. You never know.