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Weekends in our daily life are mostly engaged in doing various kinds of household stuffs or engaging in some of our intimate passions for which we generally cant make out time on weekdays. What can be a better option than travelling on a weekend? Not only you get refreshed but also gear up for another coming week.
Hardly we find long weekends for ourselves. But having one, don't miss out on them. Let's plan for Bangalore to Kanyakumari via Kovalam! Here is a short plan for 3 days and 4 nights where you can discover the beauty of the beaches, pray at the pilgrimages and also taste the banana chips and coconut water.
Before starting for the journey one needs to make sure of the bus tickets and hotel bookings well in advance. The bookings can be done according to one's budget. Budget friendly hotels are available all through Kovalam and Kanyakumari.
Buses don't run from Bangalore to Kovalam. So bookings need to be done till Trivandrum which is a distance of 730km and might require around 11hrs to travel through NH7.
Buses are generally on time from Madiwala Bus Stop near Koramangala. If one is availing a night journey, nothing can be better than that. Comfortable buses are worthy enough to provide a sound sleep. While you open your eyes in the morning, you are sure to cross Salem, Madurai and reach Tirunelveli.
After halting for breakfast somewhere nearby, the bus heads for Nagercoil. Enjoy music or movies which are played in the bus as you also see the huge windmills on the way. Stretches of greenery and hilly terrains will soothe your eyes.
Samudra Beach
Its almost mid day when you reach Trivandrum and Kovalam is just another 20 min from the capital city. Frequent autos are available to traverse this 11km distance. After checking in your hotel which must be either on Lighthouse, Samudra or Hawah Beach, one can easily freshen up and reach out to the Arabian Sea. A view of the beach will soothe you from all streeses.
Shopping
Kovalam Beach offers you various avenues to enjoy the place. The black sandy beaches are a hub of shopping. From clothes to various food items, one will get everyrhing here to enjoy the place. Foreign tourists throng at these beaches. Sea food is the main attraction which cannot be missed. Shell items to artistic conch, one can take any of these as souvenir.
Vizhinjam Fishing Village
If tired, one can rest back at one's hotel room. But it will be best to explore the Vizhinjam Fishing Village before evening dawns. Just 3km from Lighthouse Beach, one can book a four wheeler or even walk the distance.
An ancient rock cut temple, Portugeese Church and Marine Aquarium is present nearby. But one needs to be particular about timings as the aquarium does not remain open after 5pm. Have a lavish dinner with prawns, shrimps, crabs and lobster at any of the beach stalls.
Enjoying the Sea
After a pleasant sleep, one has to wake up early in the morning in order to enjoy a proper sea bath. Let the waves kiss your feet and bound you to stay with it for few more hours. On this second day, you can start for Kanyakumari after your lunch. While you are on the way to Kanyakumari, Poovar is a must visit spot of God's Own Country. Just 16km from Kovalam, a four-wheeler can take you there to enjoy the backwater ride.
Backwater at Poovar
Now this is something Kerala is famous for...the mesmerising backwaters! With a minimal fare take a ride on the motor boats at Neyyar river, which will take you to the estuary. One can find the river meeting the sea here. Golden Beach, is a naturally formed beach which is not crowded with tourists other than those staying at Poovar resorts and floating cottages of Club Mahindra. There are many other unique species of flora and fauna which one can explore on the way.
...And a Crab
Not a part of one's plate but a resident of Poovar is this crab. Crabs are found all over the beach of Poovar digging holes in the sand as well as crawling all over the beach. One can find locals selling coconuts chips and ice cream on the way. After you enjoy this ride of 2-3hrs, again head for Kanyakumari. This afternoon you can explore the sightseeings on the way to your destined destination.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Now converted into a museum, this palace is situated Thuckalay. It is one of the heritage place you can visit on the way to Kanyakumari. The intricate woodwork of the Palace is a splendid one. Thirparappu Waterfalls, Hanging Bridge in Mathoor and an ancient Jain Temple are also closeby.
Suchindram Temple
Another must visit place is the Suchindram Temple. One of the most revered pilgrimage places of Tamil Nadu, the "abhishek" at evening is a must thing to watch. According to myth, Devi Kanyakumari desired to marry Lord Shiva who resided at Suchindram. By the time one is done with these sightseeings, its almost evening and its best to reside at your hotel for the rest of the day.
Kanyakumari
The sunrise around 6.20 a.m is a must watch. People flock at the beach in order to get the mesmerising view of Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, the white sky and the frothy waves. Tickets are availble from the Ferry service for those who want to make a visit to the Rock Memorial. Life jackets are provided to ensure safety. Thus, you enjoy your third day too by praying at Devi Kanya Kumari temple, exploring Gandhi Museum and shopping by the beach.
Finally you head for your bus by afternoon which is generally available very closeby. The bus takes the same route and reaches Bangalore the next morning, leaving you energised, enthusiastic, replenished with bunch of memories.
