KERALA: Day 2, December 14th -- Around The Beach (good food, good tour, great scenery!)

There were many great aspects to staying at this beach area. For one thing, the beach community was very laid back, relaxed... both locals and tourists alike (a hodgepodge of Indians and Europeans--as with Goa, I was the only American there, far as I could tell or see). Additionally, behind the beachfront area were myriad, winding alley ways, leading to delightful little shops and restaurants. I also discovered very humble but cute little temples tucked away in the village of Kovalam. And finally, the lush, marshy areas full of palm trees were quite a sight to behold!

On this, my second, day, I discovered a wonderful restaurant called "The Lonely Planet", after the travel book by the same name (which, I assume, put this delightful place on the map, as it were!) I ate a gigantic, delicious dosa for lunch and took half of it back "home" with me. I explored other little shops, but didn't buy anything except for more "Organic India" chamomile tea. (No space for anything else, as my luggage is already too overstuffed and heavy! Still, it was fun to look.)

Then, in the afternoon, I hired a rickshaw and took a little, local tour: First, a trip to a famous Shiva temple, quite beautiful and dramatic; second, visiting to a rather sad aquarium; third, whizzing by a couple of mosques; fourth, a quick stop at an ancient "rock cave temple". 

All in all, a very nice day! 


Aazhimala Shiva temple: largest Shiva statue in the state of Kerala, boasting an impressive 56 feet in height! 



The temple was located right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. All of it was intricate and amazing...but certainly the giant statue was the star attraction. 














Classic view, looking down below the temple at the exquisite beach! 

Second, as mentioned, was the visit to the aquarium. Not too many species there, and the tanks looked like they hadn't been cleaned in a year... but I did at least manage to get a few, nice photos (clandestinely--they wanted to charge an extra 10 rupees for photography-- I was completely "rupee-less" at that point! Thankfully, no staff to be seen anywhere in the vicinity!)  


One very sad-looking sea tortoise in a dirty tank, too small for it. Really broke my heart... 


This spotted Morey Eel was pretty cool! 


Leopard eel...could you tell?!?


Forgot this guy's name... 




QUITE the colorful lobster, yes?!

The mosques were next-- women/foreigners not allowed in...and it was starting to rain pretty hard by this point anyhow... 





And finally, the ancient rock "cave" temple...not really a cave, just an indentation carved into a rock with some deity inside. Still, when you consider it is about 1200 years old, it is pretty impressive!





Last but certainly not least: views of the alleyways behind the beach at Kovalam/Lighthouse, including what the Lonely Planet restaurant looked like! 


One of the nicer-looking guest houses, just off of the beach


The area and village back from the beach was SO lush and green...verrry lovely, and filled with palm trees. 





An interesting, most colorful shop of incense and odd powders... 




The Ganesh at the entrance way


And the grand finale photo: the grandest dosa EVER! Two FULL meals, no less! And SO yummy!!!

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