The God's Own Country. Review on Kerala, General

Kerala, the land of rivers and backwaters… Discover a unique combination of tropical beaches, snaking lakes, backwaters, festivals and houseboat cruises with the **Best of Kerala **. Combine all this and more for an unforgettable experience in God's Own Country.  Location: Kovalam is flanked by the Arabian Sea and consists of three successive beaches – South Beach or the Lighthouse Beach, the Middle Beach and the North Beach     Altitude: Sea Level     Local languages: Malayalam, Tamil, and English         Best time to visit: November to February

Location: Nestled on the banks of the magnificent Vembanad lake.   Climate: Kumarakom, located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate

Rice and fish are the major food items of Kumarakom and of the inhabitants on the banks of Vembanad Lake generally. This apart it is usually *dosa* or *idli*, made from rice paste, with coconut *chutney* for breakfast.

The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It flows through the verdant lands of Kerala and offers one of the best backwater cruises. Most of the flora and fauna in this region flourishes around this supply of fresh water. The lake also acts as a balancing tank against floods, and its wooded banks, temptingly invite a visitor to explore more.

*The Water-bird Sanctuary*

A water-bird sanctuary lies at the edge of the grounds of an old estate where a profusion of all kinds of birds can be observed. Domestic birds such as cuckoo, wild duck, egrets, darters, herons, teal, and water fowl can