Once a secret hideaway, Anguilla has come into its own as a Caribbean hot spot for Hollywood starlets and honeymooners alike.

But don’t let Anguilla’s popularity scare you away: it is certainly well-deserved, as proven by this island’s beautiful beaches, posh resorts and overall laid-back charm. There are 33 beaches on this 16-mile stretch of island, and the best part is that they are all open to the public.

This is truly a dream for beach hoppers looking to check out a few sandy shores before settling down on one. One of the most popular beaches is Shoal Bay, a 2-mile strip of pearly-white sand on the Atlantic side that has a convenient equipment rental on site for visitors. Rendezvous Bay is another gem, renowned for its stunning seascape and shallow, family-friendly water.

With the powdery beaches and tranquil atmosphere, most visitors will find it hard to peel their bodies off their beachside lounge chair. However, there is plenty to explore both on land and under the sea. The island’s coral reefs provide snorkeling fans with the perfect backdrop of vivid coral gardens, bright schools of fish and low-gliding stingrays.

At Stoney Bay Marine Park there is a sunken Spanish ship dating back to the 18th century that is an underwater treasure trove for scuba enthusiasts. But if you just want to pull that beach chair under a palm tree and spend the day staring out at the azure waters, no one is going to argue with that.

Getting There
Nearest Major International Airport: While visitors cannot get a direct flight from North America, Anguilla is a short flight from other Caribbean destinations. Most flights connect through San Juan or St. Maarten to Wallblake airport. Island hoppers can also take a ferry from St. Maarten to the Blowing Point ferry terminal.

Ground Transportation: The best way to get around the island is by cab. But for those diehard explorers who wish to trek around the island without a schedule, a rental car is a great option. However, drivers must apply for a temporary license and, keeping to Anguilla’s British ties, keep on the left side of the road.

Timing
As the temperatures drop in the winter, tourism booms in the Caribbean. Anguilla is no exception to this rule. The high season runs from December through April, and visitors can expect the prices to go up during this time. The average monthly temperature hovers around a very pleasant 80 F.

Lodging
A trip to Anguilla’s famed beaches does come at a cost — and a high one at that. The island’s popularity has exploded in recent years, thanks to vacationing movie stars and plenty of media attention, and of course, those stunning beaches. The grand dame of the beach is surely Cap Juluca with its striking Moorish buildings, secluded rooms and some of the island’s best beaches. The prices at CuisinArt Resort and Spa may be steep, but foodies will surely overlook the expense once they get a tour or the resort’s awesome hydroponic farm and enroll in cooking classes at the gorgeous stadium kitchen. The Arawak Beach Inn on Island Harbour Beach has 17 pastel beach bungalows that fit the bill for budget-conscious travelers. Many of the rooms are equipped with kitchens to help cut costs even further. On the opposite extreme there are private villas, where the island’s wealthiest visitors relax and unwind. Visitors looking for the atmosphere of a private home at a (somewhat) lower cost should consider the resort at Covecastles.

Cuisine
The island’s culinary specialties include spiny lobster and other treats from the sea as well as traditional dishes made with goat. Many of the island’s best restaurants come with a view of the water and a high price. The most romantic dinner might be served at Malliouhana Restaurant; its sweeping ocean views and dreamy candlelit setting provide the ideal backdrop for an elegant French meal. The meals at Blanchard’s can tempt even the most sophisticated palate, and the restaurant’s relaxed elegance can’t be beat. The tiny cottage that is home to Hibernia only has room for 11 tables, making it a great choice for an intimate and creative epicurean adventure. Finally, for diners looking to keep the tab low and the atmosphere casual, Ripples and The Pumphouse Bar & Grill fit the bill.

Travel Tips
The rest of the world has caught on to this not-so-secret hideaway, and Anguilla’s resorts are considered to be some of the best in the entire Caribbean. This means that it’s important to book early so that rooms aren’t filled up. Also, many of the island’s resorts shut down for the months of September and October, so plan accordingly.

While You’re There
Put on some dark shades and pretend you’re dodging the paparazzi like the rest of the Hollywood stars enjoying cocktails and live music at the beach bar at Johnno’s.

Hail a boat from the dock at Island Harbour and get onboard for the 3-minute boat ride to Scilly Cay. This private island is a great pick for sunbathing, snorkeling and feasting on the grilled lobster and infamous rum punch.

Shopaholics take note: A 20-minute ferry ride will take you to French St. Maarten for an afternoon of browsing and bargaining at that island’s many shops.

To Fake That You’ve Been There
Invite your friends over for an island-themed barbecue and brag about your run-ins with Jennifer Aniston or Gwyneth Paltrow at one of the many resorts while you mix up a tasty rum punch.

source: www.travelchannel.com

The Maldives is one of the few that not only delivers on this promise from the moment you step out of the plane, but keeps on delivering every day.

This tiny country in the middle of the Indian Ocean to the south-west of India is made up of 1200 tiny coral islands. With the highest point above sea level being around 2M, the Robinson Crusoe life style is everywhere you look.

The main income for the country is tourism and many of the islands boast resorts catering to every type of traveller from backpackers to the rich and famous. Having said that though, the government is very aware of the fragile nature of the environment they live in and tightly control the impact of tourists on both the local environment and population.

As a tourist, you are free to wander as you like on the resort islands and capital city, but travel to local villages and towns is strictly through guided tours. Other forms of travel within the country must be requested and permitted through the government.

Landing at the main airport is an interesting adventure for those more familiar with larger areas of land. It resides on its own island which had to be extended to get the runways long enough for the larger jets to land. This can make landing an exciting prospect as you appear to float past small islands and fishing boats, only seeing solid ground a few seconds before you feel the touch down.

From the airport you can take internal flights, water taxis or private jet boats to your resort. People travelling to resorts which are further away may have to stay over night in the capital city Male before catching an internal sea plane flight to their resort.

Not only the remnants of the old city parts give a colourful impression. In Jaipur, many tribal people dress up in their traditional costumes and sell bangles and other handicrafts at one of the many street markets.

These markets are especially concentred in the older area of the city that is enclosed within a long wall (at least within what is left of it) with seven gates.

The jewellery markets are good places to spend your time and money. The Iswari Minar Swarga Sul minaret and the city palace are both interesting historical sights and landmarks. Both the Jantar Mantar (observatory) and the central museum will keep you from the city’s hustle and bustle for quite some time.

However, the main reason why Jaipur is famous is because of its Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of the Winds’. Although you might expect it to be a bit more impressive, it sure makes a strange impression to see this red sand-stone palace amidst all Jaipur’s recent hustle and bustle. The story goes that the ladies of Singh’s harem where not allowed to go outside, but that they were allowed to look outside without being spotted by the ordinary people.

Hence they all got their own window and in case you’re wondering, don’t start counting. There are 953 of those little windows that served as a gateway to a little glimpse of city life and, probably, freedom. Another historical place worth visiting is the Amer Palace.

A good place to stay while there is the Rambagh Palace, which is a big palatial hotel right in the heart of the city.

Best known as home to Bollywood and as India’s commercial capital Mumbai, or Bombay as it was, was also the point many Raj-era Britishers landed in India. The Gateway to India fronts onto Colaba, overlooked by the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and beyond lie a wealth of museums, backstreet markets, historic architecture and even beaches. A visit to Mumbai is an education and a delight, the starting or ending point for many an adventure in the less-visited centre and south of India.

A juxtaposition of the ancient and modern, the fabulously rich and desperately poor Mumbai’s history starts with Ashoka in the 3rd century BC when the seven islands that form formed part of the kingdom of Ashoka, the famous Emperor of India. After his death the islands passed to various Hindu and Muslim rulers when, in, 1534 the Portuguese arrived. They already possessed other important trading centres such as Goa, Daman, and Diu and they took the area by force and named the area “Bom Baia” which in Portuguese means “Good Bay”.
In 1662 the islands were given to the English King Charles II as a dowry on his marriage to Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza and in 1668 they were acquired by the East India Company on lease from the crown for an annual sum of just 10 pounds in gold. The British corrupted “Bom Baia” to “Bombay” and yet the local Kolis used to call the islands “Mumba” after Mumbadevi, the Hindu deity to whom a temple is dedicated at Babulnath near Chowpatty beach.

The first Parsis or Zoroastrians to arrive in Bombay was Dorabji Nanabhoy Patel and in 1689 the Siddi Chief of Janjira made several attempts to re-possess the islands the son of the former, a trader named Rustomji Dorabji Patel successfully warded off the attacks on behalf of the British with the help of the ‘Kolis’, the original fisher-folk inhabitants of these islands. Today a large Parsi population survives.

Over the coming decades Bombay was to rise to become a great city with the Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The Quit India movement gained momentum and led to the final withdrawal of the British on 15 August 1947 when the last British troops on Indian soil left for England through the archway of the Gateway of India. The city reverted to the local name of Mumbai in 1995.

Attractions in Mumbai

Most people head to Colaba first to see the impressive and historical Gateway of India. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (once known as the Prince of Wales Museum) is the city’s most famous and holds some wonderful sculpture work, miniatures and porcelain. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – better known to generations in Englishmen and women as the Victoria Terminus, is a homage to Raj-era construction and not to be missed. Take a trip to the dhobi ghats – fascinating – and the terraced Hanging or Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens. A walk along Marine Drive and to Chowpatty Beach at sunset is popualr amongst locals and visitors alike. Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi and can be visited. Offshore don’t miss Elephanta Island’s rock-cut temples.

Activities in Mumbai

Allow 2 days to get a feeling for the city.

Relaxing

Walk along Marine Drive at sunset and enjoy food from the stalls on Chowpatty Beach.

Getting Around

Take a boat to Elephanta Island and buses in the city or taxis and auto-rickshaws. The trains that run on the city’s suburban lines can be crowded but are definitely do-able.

You will find that people in Delhi are from every nook and corner of India. Delhi being the capital of the world’s largest democracy, has embassies of more than 160 countries.

Delhi is an important administrative unit of government of India. The parliament of India alongwith the emblem of Indian democracy is situated in Delhi. Delhi is the power house of Indian democracy which rules the nation. Delhi is gradually becoming the major Information Technology destination of India. There has been maximum export of software from Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. All major multinationals like IBM, Microsoft, Google, Sony, etc have their offices in Delhi , Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida.

SHOPPING:

Gone are the days when you had to go from one shop to another in search of a product in Delhi ,but now thanks to the various malls and shopping complexes one can find all the shopping requirements under one roof.

NIGHT LIFE:

Doesn’t matter whether you are in mid 20’s or mid 50’s Delhi’s night life is for all to enjoy. The various clubs and pubs are open till late nights and one can eat, drink and enjoy dancing on the floor. Some of the best dance clubs in Delhi can be found at The Taj Palace (My Kind of Place), Maurya Sheraton (Ghunghroos), Elevates in Noida, Park Hotel (Someplace Else), Hyatt Regency (Oasis) and Le Meridien (C.J.’s).

There are various restaurants and popular chains like Pizza Hut, Mc Donalds , KFC and Nirulas which are becoming the hot favourites among the Delhi-ites. Apart from this there are various dhabas in the city which offers you great food at reasonable price.

THE HEART OF THE CITY “CONNAUGHT PLACE”

Connaught place is located in the heart of Delhi and it is the main business center with offices of banks, government establishments and corporates. However, Connaught Place faces some problems in terms of parking and maintenance of old buildings. Connaught place is expected to have a complete make over in the near future. Some of the major companies having thier presence in Connaught Place include Citibank, ING Vysya, Lufthansa, Reliance, LIC, Air India, TV Today, Standard Chartered, HSBC Bank, Rolls Royce, BNP Paribas, Reuters, etc.

DELHI METRO RAIL

Delhi’s Metro has become a boon to the daily commuters which has indeed changed the transportation in the city. Delhi – ites are dependent on Delhi Metro for commuting to different places within the city. This project has been recognized all over the world for its specialty in terms of a hi-tech rail and better equipped transport system. it deserves all the credit for transforming the transport service of the city.

DELHI AS A FUN CITY

If you are looking for some action ,then Delhi is the right place for you to be in. Delhi has so many entertainment options available so that anybody and everybody can enjoy holidays and their leisure time. Night life is fun since you can party , dine , roam and shop till you drop. There are various pubs, bars, restaurants and night clubs in Delhi where you can spend your quality time with your loved and dear ones. There are various theatres where you hangout and catch up for a movie. There are various cultural events that take place in auditoriums where you can enjoy dramas, classical dance be it Katthak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, etc. Some of the happening places are Siri-Fort auditorium, Indian Habitat centre, Chinmaya mission etc.

Delhi has got some of the world class cinema halls like PVRs which is a chain of cinema halls in the city i.e PVR in Saket, PVR Connaught place, PVR Priya, Satyam and Three Cs are some of the major cinema halls in Delhi. EAT OUT JOINTS AT DELHI

Delhi gives you the option of choosing from the wide variety of cuisines, which is a mixture of regional and international food.

Delhi food has a blend of North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental and American lifestyle fast food etc. These are readily available in every parts of Delhi. There are wide range of International chains such as McDonalds, Dominos, KFC, Pizza Hut, Wimpy and TGIF which has a good strong chain all over Delhi.

Monsoon season gives an amusing breathing space, but excessive rains spoil the mood of a holiday. Frankly, one should not plan a tour to Bombay during the rainy season. Due to its propinquity with the sea, the Bollywood City virtually floats in the heavy showers.

The cultural festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, held in August/ September, attracts people from various parts of the country as well as the world.

After monsoons, the weather changes and, owing to the light breezes, becomes quite agreeable. Winters arrive and make the climatic conditions truly pleasant. It is the time when the city is comparatively less humid. However, winters doesn’t mean wearing loads of woolens in Mumbai. The weather is just fine to take pleasure in the attractions, which the city offers. Thus, the best and ideal time to visit Mumbai is between the months of October and February.

Places to Visit in Mumbai

Gateway of India
One of the major landmarks of Mumbai is the Gateway of India. Situated at the Apollo Bunder, the Gateway of India was built in honour of King George V and Queen. You may enjoy a ferry ride across the harbour to the Elephanta Island. At the Island, the Shiva temple is a must visit for its exquisite rock-cut structures.

Prince of Wales Museum

A major tourist attraction in Mumbai is the Prince of Wales museum. The lovely landscape of the Museum is worth visiting for its collection of art, sculpture, rare coins, old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings. Built in the year 1914, the museum remains one of the best museums in the country.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus is one of the architectural wonders of Mumbai. The elegant British building of 1888 makes Mumbai terminus one of the finest stations in the world. Exquisite sculptures of animals and birds decorate the façade and the statue of Queen Victoria adorns the dome.

For the art lovers, the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art are must visits in Mumbai. Similarly, the nature lovers should not miss the Hanging Gardens, Victoria Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park of Mumbai.

Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Malabar Hill and the Juhu Beach are the other places of tourist interest in Mumbai.

There are several places around Mumbai that make excellent weekend trip and excursion options. The Buddhist caves of Karla and Kanheri are amongst the best excursions. For the nature freaks the hill stations of Matheran, Khandala and Lonavala make great holiday destinations close to Mumbai.

Siddhivinayak Temple

One of the most popular places of worship in Mumbai is the Siddhivinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple was rebuilt on the site of a 200-year old temple. The black stone idol of Lord Ganesh, in the temple is two and a half feet in height and two feet in width. Several devotees throng this temple in the Prabha Devi area of Mumbai.

Jain Temple

Situated on the Malabar Hill is the Jain temple of Mumbai. The frescoes of the temple depict various events in the lives of 24 Jain Tirthankaras. Pilgrims from far and away visit Mumbai to worship in the temple.

Mahalaxmi Temple

The Mahalaxmi Temple of Mumbai is dedicated to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth. The temple is situated on B. Desai Road – residential and shopping area of Mumbai. The holy temple attracts thousands of devotees every year.

St. John’s Church

The Afghan Church or the St. John’s Church is a place of tourist interest in Mumbai. The church is dedicated to the British soldiers, who lost their lives in the Sindh and Afghan campaigns during 1838 and 1843.

Mumba Devi Temple

The Mumba Devi temple is dedicated to Goddess Mumbadevi, the patron of Mumbai city. Goddess Mumbadevi is often referred to as the resident deity of Mumbai. The city derives its name from this sixth century old temple. Several devotees flock to this temple at Bhuleshwar.

Adding to the beauty and panache of this pear shaped volcanic beach resort destination island is the presence of the world’s third largest coral reefs which encircle the beach island. The tall mountains looming in the background provide a majestic backdrop to the warm waters hitting the shores.

With abundant sunshine, warm tropical climate and a surreal warm balmy breeze ruffling the trees and clouds alike there is nothing amiss which could stop a person from terming the beach resort destination as simply perfect.

Getting There

Mauritius is very well within reach of the air traveler. There is an international airport in its soil and is named as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport.

Beach Locations

The beach resort location of Mauritius has a considerably long coastline to its name and therefore has enough options available to please tourists of all categories. From the ultra rich to the budget traveler everyone is capable of having a time of their life when they choose Mauritius as their holiday destination.

Almost all of the sandy beach havens in Mauritius are public and open to all tourists but there are some patches which have been taken over by private beach resort and hotel owners in an attempt to provide privacy and seclusion to their guests. Most number of beaches in Mauritius are present in the north of its expanse which include long, short, shallow, deep all sorts of sandy beaches that one might want and desire.

The La Cuvette is one such beach present here amongst others which is by far the most beautiful and the star attraction amongst all the other beaches found in this part of the waters. Present nearby is the mystical island called Ile aux Cerfs which has translucent waters on a sandbar and plays host to a wide range of activities targeted to entertain the visitors. Perfect for wind surfing and para sailing is the eastern coast of this beach resort island of Mauritius. The steady and continuous flow of wind serves the purpose well and makes the activities fun.

The islands underwater natural treasures can be best explored in the Blue Bay which proves incomparable sights and views of the underwater marine life found in Mauritius. The wilder side of the water can be best experienced in the south where the salt spays drench the onlookers when the waves crash onto the rocky beaches.

Activities Beyond the Beach

Mauritius is blessed with excellent flora and fauna. The national parks and forests provide the tourist an insight into the lush green dense jungles where hiking is a common activity. The northern islands are best explored by indulging in catamaran excursions into the deep waters which also provides you with the opportunity to view the playful dolphins in the Tamarind bay. The other destinations worth visiting in this beach resort include the Chamarel coloured earths, the old capital city of Mahebourg and eco tourism activities penetrating the heart of the country land.

Nightlife and Food

Grand Baie is the crux of all the nightlife fun and frolic. It is the destination at this beach resort where all the action happens. Bars, cafes and casinos are found in plenty here which are capable of providing entertainment to the fun seeking tourist community.

Mauritius is also known for its multi ethnic cuisine options where everyone is sure to find something fitting and appealing to their palettes and tastes.

Beautiful, tranquil, multi ethnic, peaceful, spectacular.. some words which attempt to capture the glorified beach resort destination of Mauritius, though, nothing can seal the beauty better than viewing it with your own eyes.

Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India’s vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population. Its intoxicatingly rich history can be traced back to at least 2500BC when the first known civilisation settled along the Indus River.

There was an influx of Mughals in the 1520s from Central Asia, who maintained effective control of the north until the mid-18th century. At the end of that century, as the Mughal Empire declined, the British took control of the whole subcontinent, and India was administered by a single alien power. The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, but made little progress on independence until Mahatma Gandhi began the policy of non-violent non-cooperation with the British. But the Congress itself was later split on the issue of Hindus and Muslims.

The Muslims, under Mohammad Ali Jinnah, claimed a separate homeland and in August 1947 the independent states of India and Pakistan came into being. Since this time, India has been a democratic republic. Such a rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage. For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.

One of the greatest fascinations of India is the startling juxtaposition of old and new; centuries of history rubbing shoulders with the trappings of modern-day living, from slick Internet cafes and fancy fast-food eateries, to swanky bars and chichi boutiques.

Most of the tourism I’ve seen in Kerala is fairly concentrated. People come to Kerala for the beaches, primarily the little strips in Kovalam and Varkala. They come for the backwaters that link the towns of Allepey, Kollam, and Kottayam. They come for a few famous ashrams – notably Amma’s ashram on the same backwaters. They come to see the European heritage and cultural displays of Fort Cochin. They visit the famous hill stations and National Parks in the Western Ghats. In other words, they miss most of Kerala. If they do see the rest of Kerala, its from their seat in the AC Chair Car, or in a whizzing taxi as they head to some temple festival.

There is nothing wrong with the hotspot, high-end tourism that has developed in Kerala. In fact, it may be the best kind of tourism for the state’s economy, bringing in a lot of money while concentrating the potentially negative impact of tourism in relatively few locales. But I suspect I’m not the only one in the IM community who has wondered – what about the rest of Kerala? What is life like there? Does the scenic beauty of the tourist hotspots extend beyond?

In August, I’ll be starting a phd in political science and natural resource management back home in the US. For the last eight months, I’ve been living in one of those places off the beaten track, doing research on agricultural development, which I hope to use for my phd. Since my research basically involves finding out what is going on in rural Kerala, and talking to farmers, I’ve had to learn how to get off the beaten tourist track. My intention here is to share that knowledge with like-minded travelers, who may be interested in seeing rural and semi-urban life in Kerala, before I go back to the US and forget how it’s done. I think my comments are particularly applicable to Kerala, but they could apply anywhere in India, or in the world for that matter.

Kerala Travel Guide

A few caveats are in order. First of all, the kind of travel that I’m going to describe here is not for everyone. Basically, here in Kerala, I live and travel more or less like a well-off local person. If you want to chill at the beach, this isn’t the Kerala travel guide you should read. If you want tourist highlights, this also isn’t meant for you.

If you think the countryside near your home is boring and the people are uninteresting, you’ll probably think the same of Kerala’s countryside. I grew up in rural America, and was accustomed from an early age to mild amounts of physical discomfort and hard travelling. I’m obviously an academic, but I’m also a farmer back home, and I’m just as happy talking to someone about the kind of plow they use as I am talking about political theory or soil chemistry. I’m 26, which is to say, I’m young and resilient, and I’d rather eat the kind of Indian food that you find in little stalls and small town hotels than spaghetti. I’m also male, which probably makes travelling alone a little easier, although one of my Indian-American woman friends has travelled around rural Kerala alone a lot more than I have, so it can definitely be done.

Kerala drew me because of my academic interests. Since I’m a nerd, I’ll begin by recommending some books which will give you a background on Kerala. The extremely short summary of all of these books is that Kerala boasts higher indicators of development (literacy, education, health care, nutrition, population growth, poverty alleviation, etc.) than any other Indian state. At the same time, Kerala’s economic performance, until recently, was below average, and even now, is only slightly above the national average. In other words, Kerala’s quality of life indicators make Kerala look almost like a first world society, while its economic data place Kerala among the world’s poorer regions. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is given a lot of credit in helping to create this unusual situation. 50 years ago, Kerala elected the first democratically elected communist government in the world, and the CPI(M) has continued to be very influential in Kerala society. Amartya Sen, the Nobel Prize winning economist from Bengal, uses Kerala as an example of the important role that public action can play in raising living standards even in the absence of economic growth.

Might as well begin by recommending: “India: Participation & Development,” by Jean Dreze & Amartya Sen (Oxford University Press, 2003), Sen’s most recent exploration of the Indian economic and political scene. Although Sen talks about Kerala in his other books, notably Development as Freedom, this one is the most focused on the lessons India as a whole can draw from Kerala. Patrick Heller’s 1999 “The Labor of Development” (Cornell University Press) is probably the best single volume explanation of what happened that made Kerala different. A more accessible, though less detailed and somewhat more dogmatic view is provided by Franke & Chasin’s 1994 “Kerala: Radical Reform as Development” published by Food First Books in Berkeley, California. The second two are not in print, so far as I have found, in India, but there are several good collections of articles from Kerala studies conferences in print, and available from bookstores in Cochin & Trivandrum (sorry – just shipped them back to the US, so I don’t have the titles). Oh yeah – and there’s that nice Arundhati Roy Novel – the God of Small Things – which I really enjoyed.

Learning Malayalam would be a great first step towards travelling around rural Kerala. Unfortunately it ain’t that easy. Malayalam has a reputation as one of the most difficult languages to learn, and few foreigners try. If you already speak another Dravidian language, it might be easier. Tamil is similar enough that my friend who speaks Tamil came to visit me and was able the first day to have extended conversations with rickshaw drivers. I don’t know of any language schools or classes for learning Malayalam – anywhere – although I was able to get a photocopy of a textbook written by a professor at the University of Texas in the 1980s (if you’re in the US you might be able to get it through Inter-library loan – it is by Rodney F. Moag, and titled “Malayalam: a University Course and Reference Grammar”), and I also found a nursery school teacher to tutor me. My facility with languages is not great, and my attention has been elsewhere – I still only have a very basic command of Malayalam, although I know all of the 51 letters of the alphabet, and most of the variations, so that I can read bus signs. I have also hired an assistant, to help me with my research. He is a local college graduate, and was unemployed (working on applications to study for his master’s degree abroad) when I met him. At first I was embarrassed at how little I was paying him, but I found out that his salary (approx. rs. 300/day) was actually pretty decent for a person of his age and qualifications. Sometimes using him as a translator drives me crazy – I know I miss a lot of the subtlety of conversation, the details. At the same time, I know that I see so much more precisely because I am with someone who really knows what is going on. I couldn’t do the research I’ve done without his assistance, but I almost certainly could have visited most of the places we’ve been without his help.