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Anju & George

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    Anju's guide to Kerala

Anju's guide to Kerala

Kerala is where my parents grew up, and where I spent my summers. I am horribly biased but I think it's by far the best part of India. As we're on the coast we've had an interesting history of visitors (from the Chinese to of course the British) and this has left us with a hodgepodge of food, culture, and religion - all co-existing peacefully for centuries. The people are welcoming and the energy (particularly out of the heart of the city!) is pretty laidback. Below, we share our best recommendations for Kochi (the city our wedding will be held in) and Kerala (the state in India I am from). We'd recommend hiring taxis for the longer journeys (don't try to drive here!) and hiring ubers inside Kochi. If you'd like to go further afield, Goa, Chennai, the Maldives, Singapore, and Sri Lanka are all reasonably short flights away!

Grand Hotel

Mahatma Gandhi Road, Ernakulam, KL 682011, India

Great for lunches if you fancy doing a spot of shopping on M.G. Road!

Abad Plaza Hotel

Mahatma Gandhi Road, Ernakulam, KL 682035, India

We recommend the Kadaloram ("sea shore") restaurant on the 1st floor for authentic Keralan food at very reasonable prices! Another great spot if you are shopping on M.G. Road. If you have the time and the inclination the Ayurveda (Keralan natural remedies and massages we have sworn by for centuries - think oil treatments for hair, charcoal toothpastes, and mud masks) spa on the 4th floor is brilliant for massages and quite reasonable.

Lulu Mall

Edappally Junction, Ernakulam, KL 682024, India

One of India's largest malls (Anju's parents' house is just over the wall!) Come for the many, many shops, stay for the food court on the top floor. We're particularly in love with a 'ghee roast masala dosa' and 'guava falooda.'

Jayalakshmi Silks

Mahatma Gandhi Road, Ernakulam, KL 682035, India

A one-stop shop for all your Keralan clothing needs! Don't miss out on the free tea and coffee.

Fort Kochi

Kochi, KL, India

A perfect place to understand the melting pot that Kerala was. Check out the Dutch, Portuguese, and British architecture; the Chinese fishing nets; the Pardesi Synagogue (the oldest in the Commonwealth) and spend time on the beach.

Munnar Tea Plantations

Munnar, KL 685612, India

Beautiful tea gardens up in the hills (pack a cardigan!) and stay awake for the slightly scary car ride up. The museum talk is bonkers and worth doing. Head to the Abad Hotel in Munnar for lunch and try to get a seat by the giant window for the most incredible view.

Cherai Beach

Vypin, Kochi, KL, India

Time it so you get here a little while before sunset and make sure you buy a kite (~200 rupees); a walk along the sandy beach is quite perfect.

Athirappilly Water Falls

Thrissur, KL 680724, India

Kerala's largest waterfall is stunning (but treacherous so be careful!) Surrounded by lush forests, watch out for the monkeys who will steal your things and do book in advance to get onto a jungle safari trip if you can!

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, KL, India

Also known as 'Trivandrum' in a colonial hangover, this is the state capital of Kerala and full of old British buildings, museums and Keralan temples. If you are heading down here, do make sure to stop by Kovalam beach.

For all the days along the way
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