Excursion:
Thiruvananthapuram
A
short distance away from the city's airport is the Veli Lagoon, a serene tourist
village by the side of a beautiful lagoon. It, also, has a exciting range of aqua
sports facilities to offer. 15 km away from the city is the famous Kovalam beach.
It ranks amongst one of the loveliest beaches in the world. This sheltered bay
is ideal for surfing, swimming and sun-bathing.
Other facilities include
Yoga, Ayurvedic massage and water-sports.Overnight accomodation is available.
29 km from the city is Neyyar Dam, that houses a mini wildlife sanctuary, and
a crocodile farm. Additional attractions, in the form of boating facilities and
trekking opportunities, make this spot a favourite with tourists. 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram,
and 3000 feet above sea-level, is the idyllic hamlet of Ponmudi.
A popular
weekend getaway with the local people, it boasts of a complex of attractive cottages,
and unlimited trekking routes across the sylvan hills, that embrace it. Overnight
accomodation is available. Kollam, 66 km from the city, was the ancient port of
the state, that received ships from all over the world. The region also houses
the Astamudi Lake, ancient churches, the Thirumullavaram beach and some Hindu
shrines.
Backwater cruises to Allapuzha can be organized from here, and
modest accomodation for an overnight stay is available.
