Travel to Goa/Kerela Help!!

odowdchr

mystic_trev wrote:

I've heard these stories before i.e. you don't need to take them in a tourist area. Why? Has someone told the mosquitos that they're not welcome in a "tourist area"?

Mainly because Goa has a sea breeze and mozzies like still air and stagnant water. It's possible to stay there for 3 weeks and not see a mozzie if you don't venture away from the front like some don't...

Now Kerala backwaters is a different matter, there's a mosquito-borne problem there right now with natives dropping dead (not from malaria though)

odowdchr

Forgot...
There are direct flights between Goa and Kerala but i think only on 2 days per week. Otherwise you'll need to go through Bangalore and change planes.

Another option is to book an overnight train between Margao (Goa) and Ernakulam Junction (Cochin). Leaves Goa about 8.30pm and arrives in Kerala at 10.30am, thus saving a night's hotel accomodation.

It's well worth seeing Fort Cochin, do a tripadvisor search for Raintree Lodge.
You can drive from Cochin to Trivandrum in about 4 hours, then do the beaches at Kovalam if that's your thing.

haribol_2

Is it cheaper booking the tours off the internet from the local firms there or do you guys think it may be cheaper booking through a travel agent there once in Goa?

Regarding the jabs, looks like I am going to take them. Not looking forward to that!!

Thanks for the train suggestion (margoa to cochin), I'll look into this tonight.

What's my best option for transit from airport in goa to Nerul?

Wife nagging me and asking about good places to shop for Clothes. Any suggestions.

Lastly any backwater trips anyone would recommend for Kerala? Would 2 days suffice for this?

Haribol

Techno

Try https://www.theblueyonder.com they are a local not for profit ecologically sound company that use local people to provide hotels and trips etc rather than the big conglomerates. A work friend went to Kerala at Easter with them and had the best holiday of her life - she's veggie and again the food was perfect
Have a great time - I'd love to go but OH is a definite carnivore - he couldn't do veggie for more than a day!!!!

cundall

mystic_trev wrote:

I've heard these stories before i.e. you don't need to take them in a tourist area. Why? Has someone told the mosquitos that they're not welcome in a "tourist area"?

I've travelled extensively to over 80 countries and will be in Vietnam next month. I'm told most of the areas are "low risk" however I'd drop ALL my other medication and just take malaria tablets if I only had one choice!

Read this from the Sun. Posted on another thread yesterday.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006350193,,00.html

Sorry for hi jacking the thread, i have travelled extensively too but not as many as you so i bow down to you Anyway just be careful in Vietnam, i got robbed twice and found out that it seemed that many backpackers got robbed too. Mainly people who used the TM Brothers bus rather than the Hann Travel bus company and also around Nha Trang area! Just so you know the standard fee to get your stuff back is 1,000,000 dong which is only about 35 pounds!

haribol_2

Great info site Techno. I'll be contacting them soon !!

Haribol

haribol_2

I've been told that taking cash £50 notes is better that taking TC's as they are accepted and exchanged by shopkeepers too. I have always taken TC's on holiday. Any comments ??

Haribol