Krazy for Kerala

Kerala is one of India’s most special states. Founded quite recently, in 1956, today Kerala is extremely popular with tourists from around the world.
It’s so popular in fact that National Geographic Traveler magazine has named it one of the “ten paradises of the world.”  High praise indeed! This is a relatively new designation – as recently as the 1980′s, travellers hadn’t even heard of Kerala. It used to be well off the beaten track for travellers in India.
What’s the attraction to Kerala?  Well, there are countless reasons.  First and foremost is its natural beauty, located on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast. It’s home to nearly 10,000 square kilometres of forest, and 1/4 of India’s plant species. It’s considered the global ayurveda captal, a popular form of traditional medicine. The state also has the highest literacy rate in all of India and one of India’s highest standards of living.
Kerala is also well-known for its ecotourism initiatives, and its unique cultural traditions.  Some popular attractions include the hill stations of Munnar (photo), Nelliampathi, and Ponmudi. There are numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to explore, including Periyar and Eravikulam. Heritage sites in the region include the Mattancherry Palace, and the Padmanabhapuram Palace. Shoppers should be sure to hit the cities of Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, and take in the traditional theatre and musical performances.
A good friend of mine from Mumbai is originally from Kerala. He returns to visit his family there, perhaps once every year. Whenever he describes Kerala to me, he always uses the word ‘special.’   Some places we travel truly are special. Most who have been, seem to agree that Kerala is one of those special places.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Kerala is known as God's Own Country and why not? Nature has blessed her abundantly right from Hill Stations, sun kissed beaches, dense forests, beautiful backwaters and friendly people.Share in Cochin’s famous heritage before riding the rails deep into Kerala’s remote southern forests, accompanied by the fragrant aromas of coffee and spice, and maybe even catch sight en route of India’s famous wildlife too. Finish your trip by exploring Kerala’s stunning waterways on your own private houseboat.

TAKE ME THERE, contact travel & more at sujit@travelandmore.in; OR visit website page for Kerala: www.travelandmore.in/domestic/kerala

10 of the World’s Best Street Foods

When visiting any new city, it’s probably most important to dig into the local cuisine. Where better to learn from than the people on the street. Street food is where it’s at right now, so here’s a round-up of ten great street foods to try in ten fantastic foodie cities:

1. Amsterdam: Frites with mayo
No Dutch meal is complete without a dash of mayo. Now, one deep-fried treat you shouldn’t miss, whilst strolling along the canals, is frites. Especially those sold at Rembrandt square. They are to die for!

2. Istanbul: Kumpir

Pay a visit to the neighbourhood of Karaköy, where you’ll find streets laden with food stalls selling these huge baked potatoes, topped with an array of dips, olives and more.

3. Paris: Nutella Crêpes

A visit to the city of love is not complete without a taste of their delicious choc-nut crêpes. Pop over to Montparnasse, where you can find them from a vendor for under 6 euros.

4. Tel Aviv: Falafel
You’ll know this one, but where better to try it than in Tel Aviv? Find this yummy, savoury pita stuffed with veggy falafel balls (made from chickpeas) around any street corner, for next to nothing, in this bustling city.

5. Marrakesh: Tagine

Visit the busy night market of Jemaa El Fna for some fantastic veggy tagine. This will set you back just over R20 – depending on your bartering skills of course.

6. Mexico City: Re-fried Bean Burritos

We all know this one, but nowhere in the world will you find a better re-fried bean burrito than downtown Mexico city. They go for around R20.

7. Hong Kong: Shumai dumplings

If you’re in the mood for a greasy and cheap meal, you can find these pork-filled dumplings at almost any of Hong Kong’s best known night markets.

8. Kuala Lumpur: Kway Teow noodles

This fried ricecake-strip dish is a seafood lover’s favourite. Noodles are fried with prawns, soy sauce and cockles.

9. Mumbai: Chaat snacks

The streets of Mumbai offer and amazing variety of chaat snacks. The best snack to try is definitely the papri-chaat. This dish is usually served with sweet and sour tamarind chutney and chilled yogurt. The real taste of India.

10. Frankfurt: Currywurst

Find some delicious German sausage covered in curry sauce anywhere in the Innenstadt. Try Pommes Freude for a super cheap (and scrumptious) wurst.

Last Minute Holidays By Air - Indonesia

Indonesia - The world's largest island archipelago combines mystique, adventure and beauty to make a heady holiday cocktail. Java's Borobudur, a Mahayana Buddhist relic, which includes 5km of Buddhist carvings and rises from a carpet of pretty paddy fields, will be a sight you wont forget in a hurry. Tana Toraja in Sulawesi is home to ethnic Toraja People and a cultural discovery. See the traditional tongkonan houses and be mystified by their funeral rites, which includes buffalo and pig carnages, tall wooden effigies and hanging graves. Head to familiar Bali and immerse yourself in its concoction of temple ceremonies, scenic treks, quaint beach town, shadow-puppet theatre and vivifying spa retreats. Kalimantan's steaming jungles and their reticent inhabitants (proboscis monkeys, sun bears and orang-utans) and the tribal hamlets are great exploration spots. Visit Komodo  National Park, home to the Komodo dragon, the world largest living lizard, and dive in its waters alongside manta rays and dolphins. Hire a mountain bike to scale Sumatra's volcanic craters, mountains and jungles for wildlife sightings, and cycle to the volcanic Danau Toba Lake.

Visa: Tourist are issued a visa on arrival (valid for 30 days from arrival, Rs.1120) your passport must be valid for at least six months from the arrival date, have at least one unused page for a visa on arrival sticker, and a confirmed return/onward ticket.