Blog Page

10 insights into Indian healing, wellness and traditions

10 insights into Indian healing, wellness and traditions

India is Mystical and it draws its strength from this mysticism. But most of these mystic beliefs have a scientific basis and we tried to unravel this myth through conversations with a healer. We have tried to explore various topics over a span of 10 days as 10 different conversations. We have tried to cover varied topics like healing without medicines, 24 minutes to eternal healing, why do we do idol worship? What is Astrology? Whats is Religion? What is Superstition? What are Rituals? Indian Home Remedies, What is life? & Whats is Gratitude?

Healers name is Guruji Yogi Shivan and runs a healing village by the name Indimasi which is nicely tucked away in the green locals on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. Here are select 10 videos from our conversations with Guruji. We hope it gives you clarity of thought and a better understanding of every topic that is covered in this series. Also, it unravels the fact that Indian Philosophy and practices are based on scientific principles.

1.Healing without Medicines

2.24 Minutes for Eternal Liberation

3.Why do we do Deity Worship?

4.What is Astrology?

5.What is Religion?

6.What is Superstition?

7.What are Rituals?

8.Indian Home Remedies:

9.What is Life?

10.What is Gratitude?

Trip Advisor Awards – Travelers’ Choice & Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award

Trip Advisor Awards – Travelers’ Choice & Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award

It’s the time for a rechristening and rebranding at the Trip Advisor. The awards stand renamed w.e.f 2020!!!!!

Trip Advisor

So along with this change comes the question- What is the difference between Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Award & Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award?

Here is an insight

Last year Trip Advisor decided to explore deeper into customer perceptions of the Travelers’ Choice and Certificate of Excellence awards round the world. The result – as expected the Travelers advised that these awards are rather influential in decision-making. Taking these insights to heart, they have updated the awards structure.

All awards will now fall below the Travelers’ Choice umbrella. Properties that would have been identified with the Certificate of Excellence will now be celebrated as Travelers’ Choice winners, whilst properties that would have been Travelers’ Choice winners will be celebrated as Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best.

The Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best (formerly Travelers’ Choice) award identifies and ranks the very first-rate hotels, destinations, attractions, restaurants, etc., in unique classes and geographic areas, as rated and reviewed with the aid of travelers. Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winner is amongst the pinnacle 1% of listings on Tripadvisor.

Travelers’ Choice (formerly Certificate of Excellence) acknowledges companies that earn persistently wonderful personal reviews. Travelers’ Choice winners are amongst the 10% of agencies on Tripadvisor.

Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best and Travelers’ Choice winners are calculated based totally on the thousands and thousands of evaluations and opinions accumulated over as span of 12 months from vacationers around the world on Tripadvisor. The awards takes into account the best and extent of tourist reviews, and scores unique to every award category. The hallmark of winners is and will proceed to be the top-notch provider and fantastic experiences for travelers.

Destinations, airlines, lodging like, Hotels, B&B / Inns, and Specialty Lodging, restaurants, points of interest, and experiences global are all eligible to win. There is no software technique for Travelers’ Choice and you can’t pay for an award.

Trip Advisor sees the awards as a useful tool in recovery after the pandemic. Tripadvisor awards are vital for prevailing service providers, as an actual reflection of the amazing work they do, and an effective way lure the customers. As the world starts to travel again, these awards can spotlight some of the fine locations to go, imparting ideas for vacationers and diners around the world.

So as hoteliers overcome the COVID19 Challenge, the Travelers Choice Awards is here to add energy to the marketing drive. Happy Selling.

Top 10 Road Trips in Kerala

Top 10 Road Trips in Kerala

Drive in holidays is the in thing today and people are opting in for self drive options. Keeping that in mind we have listed below the key motorable drives in Kerala. These are descriptive videos explain the journey and key locations enroute. Popular drives mainly from Kochi have been selected and few other locations are also mentioned in here.

The same is listed below randomly for your ease of choice.

Hope you like it.

Kochi to Munnar Road trip

From the plains to the hill stations to a feet of 5000 feet above MSL is a beautiful drive. Taking you through the city, then on to the country roads before taking you on a winding road which can be dizzing to many and exciting to others. Its a picturesque drive with lot of interesting sightings like plantations, paddy, forest, waterfalls and more.

Kochi to Athirappilly Road Trip

Athirappilly came to limelight with big movies like Bahibali and Ra One . Known as the Niagra of India – this watell fall is in full blomm during monsoons. Standing tall at 80 ft this is a magnicient sight to see. This is a pernniel waterfall, eventhough the flow reduces from October to June. A must visit and the latest addition to the Kerala Tour itinerary.

Kochi to Alappuzha Road Trip

From the city scape to waterscapes – this is a good drive as its wide roads. Green along side the roads keep you excited and so does the intermittent water bodies as you cross the city of Kochi, until you reach the venice of east as Alappuzha is fondly referred to. Popular for the famous Kerala Houseboats and backwater resorts, Alappuzha has few amazing museums too.

Kochi to Kumarakom Road Trip

This quaint little village came on to the limelight with the visit of our late Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee and ever since its been the epicentre for many reasons. Today know the world over for its responsible tourism initiatives this is a favourite haunt for thos ehwo just want to relax.

Kochi to Kollam Road Trip

Kollam is the lesser known destination in Kerala but rich in backwaters and beaches. Popular for its backwtaer resorts and housbeoats today its getting its share of beach resorts and new attractions. The latest being the Jatayu Earth’s Centre which is a destination on its own.

Kochi to Kozhikode Road Trip

Driving though packed streches of this route you drive through some amazing green sites too which consists of paddy cultivations and fish farms and more.

Kochi to Thekkady Road Trip

One of the kost picturesque drives this is one of drives where you want to actually look out than look in front. Lined with amzaing greenery, planatations, villages, town and more this can be labelled as a cultural drive.

Kozhikode to Wayanad Road Trip

Famous for its winding tracks this is actually a very short drive yet very exciting too. Lush greenry greets ypu all the way on either side of the road as you leave the city of Calicut.

Wayanad to Nilambur Road Trip

This is rides delight taking you through tea plantations, forests and teak. The road is also lovely with winding tracks and as you approach Nilambur it widens into larger tracks with amazing finish. Easily one of the best tracks in Kerala this is a “wow” road.

Kochi to Ooty Road Trip

This is a long journey so its ideal to take breaks but as you reach Mettupalayam the tiredness eases as you get to see the amazing mountains in front of you. Winding tracks, forest and tea invites you to Queen of the hills – Ooty.

Top 10 Beaches in Kerala

Top 10 beaches in Kerala

Following is the list of Top 10 beaches in Kerala with its discriptive videos. The entire coast by the arabian sea is laden with known and unknown beaches and each one is unique its own way. We are listing them in random order, and the numbering does not indicate that its better than the rest or its standings; we leave that to you to comment and share.

The descriptive video presenation will help you assist in taking your pick

1.Kovalam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Located on the southern tip of Kerala, this is the most popuar beach in this area. Flocked by tourists – doemstic and international it is always in demand round the year.

2.Varkala Beach, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram

Varkala beach is the bacakpackers paradise in Kerala with multitude of budget accomdatuon stays. Also popular among doemstic tourists for regilious purposes and known as the Papanasham beach, this is a busy beach as well.

3.Hawa Beach, Kovaalm, Thiruvananthapuram

Also known as the Eve’s Beach, this beach is quieter of the beaches in Kovalam. Situated next to the lighthouse beach , this a favourite haunt for tourists.

4.Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram

As the name suggests this beach is right next to the light house and crescent shaped beach has the maximum concentration for hotels and restuarants. Busiest maong the beache sin Kovalam.

5. Samudra Beach, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram

Cut aways from the rest of the becahes and situated at the northern most tip of Kovalam. Less crowded and almost like a private beach to many luxury resorts in the area, this is a compact beach.

6. Kollam Beach, Kollam

One of the most spread out beaches in Kerala this has a huge frontage and a very good beach option. Popular among domestci tourists this is a busy beach round the year with a limited nightlife

7. Marari Beach, Mararikulam, Alappuzha

One of the quietest, cleanest and well kep beaches in Kerala this is a hot favourite among the foreign clients. Lined by some of the best resort brands for the same reason it is a faboulous beach to spend time on.

8. Alappuzha Beach, Alappuzha

Most popuar beach among the domestuc clients due to the procomity of backwaters and Houseboats. One of the few beaches which is ready for the differently abled.

9. Cherai Beach, Kochi

The beach front of Kochi, Cherai has been getting popular for few years now and due to the geography and proxomity of backwaters at a stone sthrow away and easy access its getting busier.

10.Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur

The only drive in beach in Kerala it is a hot favourite among domestic tourists. Honestly drive in should be banned here as its such a magnificent beach. Tucked away in Northern Kerala, this is an amazing beach to be in.

Entire coastline of Kerala is a huge beach in itself, all you need to do is visit the nearest seaside to fine one. This is only the Top 10.

Is it safe to travel to Kerala now due to Corona Virus?

The Big question on Kerala & Corona Virus

Mis information results in suspicion and doubts which leads to fear – and that’s being human. As safety and security is the first priority for anyone today and the Govt of Kerala has taken very hard precautionary measures to ensure everyones safety and we support that totally.

There is no panic situation in Kerala – infact the situation is very much under control but there is an increase in positive cases which is a concern. The govt is taking strong measures and we hope to get out of this Corona scare very soon.

Govt of Kerala has taken precautionary bold steps to contain and control the spread. It is only a matter of time that Kerala is Conora Free.

Govt of India has banned entry to all foreign nationals until 15th April 2020 and there is domestic travel restrictionwith borders beng sealed out. Kerala is the safest place to be in today but defenitly not for a holiday.

Corona Virus in Kerala

As on 4th Feb 2020 – Kerala Government announces State Calamity due to Corona Virus.
As on 10th Feb 2020 – Kerala Government has lifted the State Calamity status.
As on 29th Feb 2020 – Kerala has defeated Corona and cured all 3 cases!!
As on 22nd Mar 2020 – Kerala has new 50 positove cases. All patients are in stable condition and healthcare monitoring is on at a fantastic pace and precision.

But the fact is that life is precious to everyone – we suggest you stay at home and stay safe – until things normalise. Unless you believe in taking risks we suggest you stay at home, no one is in a position to guarantee your safety today better than you. Do not travel, stay at home and try to enjoy the family time.

Kerala has a well developed primary healthcare system which is the best in the country. Kerala has been internationally known for the high quality of doctors and nurses it has been producing over the year. Add to this a highly committed team of govt officials & bureaucrats led by an able Minister who have been tirelessly working round the clock to ensure implementation of measures.

Kerala is the undoubtably is the safest option in India today. Kerala was first to be hit in India and will be the first to get out as well. We pray and hope for a everyone globally overcomes this.

Here is what BBC had to say about Kerala Healthcare system

BBC CORONA VIRUS

Concern is understandable and we in Kerala – the government and the tourism trade care about your safety. While the Corona virus threat is real its impact is nowhere close to the NIPHA threat that Kerala faced last year and overcame. The reason Kerala has stood out in identifying the patients is because of a robust medical system in place. Kerala was quick to act and take precautions and all those tested positive are stable, safe and in proper medical facilities with constant monitoring.

Please read this article for more clarity how Kerala is fighting this out at the ground level.

The fact of the matter is that Kerala has always been in the forefront and been proactive in doing this – but it has its flip side – being good and true can have its ramifications; and thats why the web is abuzz with the question – Is it safe to travel to Kerala now due to Corona Virus?

Facts, Measures taken and status as of today.

Kerala is the safest place in India with a proactive health machinery in place.
Kerala is known for best of doctors and nurses across the world.
Kerala has best of goverment hospitals and multitude of super speciality hospitals.
Kerala announced medical emergency to ensure safety of everyone and revoked it once it was contained.
Kerala has been exception in identifying people infected.
3 people tested positive on 4th Feb 2020.They did not get it in India, these 3 were students studying in Wuhan, the epicentre. They contracted and carried it home when they were evacuated. They were treated, cured and sent home.
Death due to corona happens in extreme cases – No deaths reported as on date.
All across Kerala medical monitoring network is in place.
Kerala has fought successfuly the deadly NIPHA virus in the past and shall fight CORONA virus too.
New cases have been identified and all of them are stable and under constant monitoring.

World Health Organization (WHO) on Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Know more about Corona Virus

Myths and Facts about Corona Virus

Let’s fight it together

The world is under a virus attack and we need to fight it.

Fear is the biggest killer of all and no one has found a medicine for this!!

TRAVEL TO KILL THE FEAR – WE WELCOME YOU TO THE GOD’S OWN COUNTRY!!!!

Popular Kerala 7 Nights 8 Days

Popular Kerala Tour 7 Nights 8 Days

DAY 01 KOCHI
ARRIVE, TRANSFER & ½ DAY SIGHTSEEING OF KOCHI
Arrive at Kochi. Meet & assistance upon arrival. Pickup & transfer to city hotel. Afternoon time for local sightseeing. St.Francis Church, Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday), Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Friday & Saturday), Jew Street, Chinese Fishing nets or go shopping as time permits. Return to hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 02 KOCHI -ATHIRAPPILY/ 80 KMS- 2.5 HRS:
ARRIVE, TRANSFER & ½ DAY SIGHTSEEING OF KOCHI
After breakfast transfer to Athirappilly. Athirappilly Falls is located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River. Athirappilly waterfalls is a 80 ft waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations. Check in and go for a trek by the falls. Return and over night stay.

DAY 03 ATHIRAPPILLY-MUNNAR / 200 KMS – 4.5 HRS:
TRANSFER & ½ DAY SIGHTSEEING OF MUNNAR
Post breakfast check out & drive to hotel in Munnar. Visit Sengulam Dam, enjoy boating and later proceed to stroll by the tea gardens in the evening and enjoy the sunset. Return to hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 04 MUNNAR:
FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING OF MUNNAR
Post breakfast visit Eravikulam National Park (Closed from 1^st February to 1^st April 2017) & Tea Museum (Closed on Monday). Later proceed for a half day tour covering Top Station, Kundala Dam, Mattupetty Dam, Cowboy Park Photo Point Beehive Tree, Echo point, Flower nursery and the local market. Return to hotel and overnight stay

DAY 05 MUNNAR – THEKKADY/ 115KMS – 3.5 HRS:
TRANSFER & ½ DAY SIGHTSEEING OF THEKKADY
Post breakfast check out & drive to Thekkady. Enroute do the spice plantation tour. On arrival check in to resort and proceed for Lake Cruise, Kathakali show or Kalari Payattu show or Magic Show as per your choice. Return to hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 06 THEKKADY – ALAPPUZHA/ 160 KMS – 4.5 HRS:
HOUSEBOAT EXPERIENCE IN ALAPPUZHA
Post an early breakfast check out & drive to Alappuzha. Arrive at the houseboat by lunch time. Check in and proceed for a sightseeing cruise along the backwaters with lunch and snacks until sundown. You get to see the village life by the backwaters. Relax, unwind and retire after dinner. Dinner is served early on the houseboat.

DAY 07 ALAPPUZHA – KOVALAM/ 180 KMS -4.5 HRS:
½ DAY SIGHTSEEING OF TRIVANDRUM & TRANSFER TO KOVALAM
Wake up early to see the beauty of the backwaters and enjoy an hour long cruise with breakfast before you deboard at 0900 hrs. Check out. Proceed to Kovalam. Proceed to check in to resort. Rest of the time leisure at resort / beach

DAY 08 KOVALAM -THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ 21 KMS -45 MINS :
DEPARTURE TRANSFER
After breakfast check out & drive to Trivandrum for a Trivandrum city tour. Visit Chitra Art Gallery (Closed on Monday), Napier Museum (Closed on Monday), and Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple (Dress Code – Dhoti for men and Sarees for women, closed from 1200 to 1630 hrs.). Later proceed to Trivandrum Airport / Railway station for onward journey.