Discover Kerala - God's Own Country

Kerala is truly called God's Own Country for its spectacular scenic beauty. This southern state of India is like a bright green emerald rich in extraordinary cuisine, fascinating wildlife and magnificent culture. Kerala has many flavors to offer to its visitors, right from sunshine beaches to dark green sandalwood forests, serene hill stations to romantic backwaters. These interesting features makes Kerala tour an unforgettable experience in one's life.

Let's go through the main attractions of Kerala Tourism:

Backwaters: Backwaters are backtracked seawater which has entered the main land through small canals. The scenic beauty of Backwaters is unmatched. The lush romantic ambience of 900 km stretched backwaters attracts tourists from all over world. The captivating sceneries of the backwaters are best accessible through houseboats or "Ketuvalloms". A typical houseboat is made with bamboo and wood with all necessary comfort and luxury of a modern hotel.

Backwaters tours are mainly operated amongst Kumarakom, Alleppey, Vembanad, Kollam and Cochin. Enjoy a breathtaking cruise in Kerala backwaters and you will again find the innocence and joy within.

Beaches: Geographically blessed Kerala has numbers of sun-kissed beaches. With a whopping 600 km stretched shoreline, this state has some real jewels in the form of beaches. The deep blue Arabian waters beckon thousands of tourists on Kerala's pristine beaches.

The main sea beaches of Kerala are Kovalam, Poovar, Cherai, Fort Kochi, Varkala, Kappad, Shanghumugham, Alappuzha, etc.

Hill Stations: Kerala travel is incomplete if you don't explore its unspoilt hill stations in the lap of the massive Western Ghats. The Ghats in Kerala is also known as Nilgiri. Far from stressful life, a relaxed stay in the bossom of Nilgiri will enrich your travel as well as spiritual experience. The bluish hue of the Nilgiri hills, the fragrant forest of Eucalyptus and spice gardens will cast a magic spell on you. The exquisite green blankets of tea and coffee plantations will make you speechless.

The most popular hill stations are Munnar, Thekkady, Idukki, Devikulam and Wayanad. Each of these breathtaking tourist spots are situated at an altitude of 1200 m from the sea level.

Forests and Wildlife: Kerala is tremendously blessed with natural wealth. The Western Ghats brings enough rainfall which nurtures the state's abundant flora and fauna. Kerala is the home of Sandalwood and other precious natural timbers. The state is also a safe habitat of major faunas like elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, bison, panthers, spotted deers and many others. There are various wild life sanctuaries and reserved forests in Kerala where tourists can witness wild life and behold the pleasure of jungle atmosphere.

The most sought after wildlife sanctuaries are Periyar, Chinnar, Kumarakom, Idduki, Neyyar and Peppara.

Talking about the popular attractions of Kerala tourism, there are other elements which should not be missed by a true traveler. Kerala is also home to some of the beautiful waterfalls in South India like Athirapalli, Cheeyappara, Thusaragiri, Soochipara waterfalls. So next time you plan a Kerala tour, make sure you have everything on your platter!

Kerala is blessed with numerous tourist attractions which make it a popular tourist destination. It has everything to offer to visitors like backwaters, beaches and hill stations due to which this land draws the attention of tourists.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Cenotes of Cuzama, Yucatan - Discover A Magical Subterranean World

The word cenote is derived from the Mayan word Dzonot, which means sacred well. The porous limestone geological makeup of the Yucatan Peninsula is unusual in that there are no surface rivers or streams, but an extensive system of underground lakes and rivers. A cenote is an underground lake, which was held sacred by the ancient Mayans as a place of worship, and also served as their vital source of water.

The Yucatan Peninsula has some very well-known cenotes - at Chichen Itza, Valladolid and Tulum - but there are hundreds, if not thousands more waiting to be discovered. Some cenotes are open to the skies, like the cenote of Dzibilchaltún, but most are in deep underground caves, accessible by ladder or staircase, or sometimes even just by rope.

The three underground cenotes of Cuzamá, also known as the cenotes of Chunkanán, are very special, as they are hidden deep in the mayan jungle, and only accessible by taking a horse-drawn mini-rail truck. Travelling by truck seven kilometres into the forest is part of the adventure.

There are three cenotes open to the public, and the journey usually takes about three hours, allowing for a half-hour stop at each cenote. Make sure you take your swim-suit, as the beautiful turquoise water will prove irresistible.

The first cenote is called Chelentun (water in rainbow rock), and has the easiest access. A cement and wooden staircase takes you down to a partially-covered cave with clear sparkling water which starts off quite shallow, but as you swim into the darkest reaches at the back of the cave, the water becomes very deep.

The second cenote, Chansinic'che (red tree ants), is a little more difficult to access. You climb down a wooden staircase under low overhanging rock, so please mind your head. This cenote is much more closed, with just an opening in the roof from where intrepid swimmers can jump down the 14 meters or so into the deep water.

The third cenote Bolonchoojol (nine mouse holes) is much the most difficult to access, but worth the effort. You climb through a very small hole, down a vertical ladder made from railway track, into what appears to be the depths of darkness. Suddenly, the cave opens up, and the sun shines down through the single hole in the roof, its beams lighting up the clear sparkling turquoise water. For me, the most beautiful of the three cenotes, Bolonchoojol has a magical appearance, with stalactites reflecting in the water, looking as though you have entered a science fiction movie.

When you visit the cenotes of Cuzamá, make sure you take drinking water with you, and if you feel the need for an insect repellent, I recommend you bring an "eco" repellent that will not contaminate the water. The trucks have roofs, so you are not exposed to the sun.

Part of the fun of the adventure is when your truck meets with another coming in the opposite direction. This is a one-track route, so depending on some unfathomable priority system, one driver has to stop and heave his heavy truck off the rail, to allow the other to pass.

To find the three cenotes, when you arrive at Cuzamá, turn right off the Acancéh - Homún road towards Chunkanán. There are two places where you can take the cenote tour. The first is on the road between Cuzamá and Chunkanán, and a man with a red flag will indicate where you can park.

However, I recommend you ignore him and continue on to the village of Chunkanán, which is the original starting point for the cenote tour. Here you will find a typical mayan village, with cottages with palapa roofs, dogs, hens, turkeys, children... the everyday life of a traditional mayan village. The truck-drivers and their horses are waiting beside the restaurant in the centre of the village from nine in the morning until dusk.

There is a local saying "once you have swum in a Mayan cenote, you will have to return". A visit to Yucatan is not complete without swimming in a cenote, and the three cenotes of Cuzamá are among the most beautiful in the state of Yucatan.

Elizabeth Arnott has lived in Mexico for more than ten years, and owns a small rental in the village of Chunkanán. Consisting of three mayan-style cottages with palapa roofs and a large swimming pool set in an acre of private tropical gardens, Sac Nicté is the ideal place to stay for a few days to relax, and visit the three cenotes and many other cenotes nearby known only to the locals. For a unique opportunity to experience life in a typical mayan village, please visit her website: http://www.mayanvillagerental.com/cenotes.htm

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article