BANGARAM ISLANDLakshadweep, Kerala, India ..in the Beach, 3 stars.
The Lakshadweep or Laccadives, as they were formerly called, are a string of little-known islands, lying 250 or so miles off the Malabar coast of India. (See map)
There are 36 main islands in all, forming an archipelago of surpassing beauty. This is a world of silver sands and clear warm waters, of submerged banks and virgin reefs, enclosing a fascinating underwater world.
Legend has it that the islands were discovered by shipwrecked sailors during the reign of Cheraman Perumal, a legendary King of Kerala, around 435 AD. Frankly, things haven't really changed much since. Nature and culture have both remained preserved over the centuries, miles from the mainland and the trade routes.
And so the crabs scuttle. The reefs remain pristine.The people continue to fish, grow coconuts and smile a lot. And that's in the handful of islands that have any population at all. The vast majority still remain much as they were the day nature conjured them up.
The resort offers you a variety of outdoor pursuits - Kayaking, Catamaran sailing, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving.
A well-equipped and professionally manned Scuba Diving facility is available at the resort. As a diving location, the virgin reefs of Bangaram have been ranked by many of the world's experienced divers as being among the best anywhere.
Diving courses and lagoon diving are offered for beginners too. Diving is permitted only within safe depths around 30 meters. Visitors can avail of a decompression chamber, except from 15 May to 15 September.
Ancient shipwrecks get discovered every now and then, since the reefs aren't even fully explored yet. That's one reason why they abound in undersea life. Manta rays, eagle rays, moray eels and Hawksbill turtles are common, as are game fish.
There are three uninhabited islands in the same atoll, Tinnakara, Parali and the not very imaginatively named Parali-II. Each can be reached by outboarding, sailing, rowing or for the incurably athletic, by kayaking or windsurfing from Bangaram. Perfect for a day's outing, if you're up to it...
Popular dive spots off Bangaram include Manta Point and the wreck of the Princess Royal, sunk 200 years ago.
Accommodation on the island is simple and unpretentious. Set in 128 acres, there are 30 tiled - roof beach huts, each with its own palm-thatched verandah, en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and fridge.
In a bit to preserve Bangaram's unique environment, a hotel atmosphere is avoided intentionally, but fret not - there are enough creature comforts to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.
There are also four bungalows, which are bigger and offer total privacy. At the heart of the resort is the restaurant hut. It's a little architectural marvel made by the islanders, crafted entirely out of bamboo and palm fronds, around a single tall central pole.
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Take Kerala. The map of your Hotel
Click on the + and - on the map to view more or less details| Category | 3 stars | | Always open | Yes | | City | Lakshadweep | | State | Kerala | | Location | Beach | | Rooms | With only 30 rooms and a handful of people about (our staff mainly), you can expect infinite amounts of space and time to claim as your own. | | Distances | Cochin is the nearest International airport.
There's a regular flight from Cochin to Agatti island. From Agatti to Bangaram, you need to go by boat. (Or by helicopter dung the monsoons, when the seas tend to get choppy -16th May to 13th September.) |
| Facilities | | 24 hours room service | yes | | Doctor on Call | yes | | Ayurveda | With such peace and natural beauty surrounding you, Bangaram Island is the ideal place to try an ayurvedic treatment, or even just a relaxing massage. The resort, like all CGH Earth properties, has fully-equipped ayurvedic facilities.
Ayurveda is t | | Yoga | yes | | Children | ..they are welcome! | | Sports | The resort offers you a variety of outdoor pursuits - Kayaking, Catamaran sailing, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving.
A well-equipped and professionally manned Scuba Diving facility is available at the resort. As a diving location, th | | Garden park | yes | | Restaurant | Coconut and fish are abundantly available on the island. So naturally, no meal would be complete without a selection of the day's catch.
The cuisine styles are international and the menu also offers a selection from the coastal cuisines of India and loca |
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Meetings |
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Kerala:
Kumarakom
 The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, t ..more | Temples:
Mayyanad
It is about 10 km south of Kollam town. Mayyanad is famous for its shrines and temples. Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor is the most important among the nine temples of this area. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracha ..more | Temples:
Arthunkal
(22 km north of Alappuzha):
The St. Sebastian's Church here is an important Christian pilgrim centre. Annual festival: Arthunkal Perunnal - the feast of the patron saint (January). | Spices Cuisine:
Turmeric
 A spice in Cookery and a cleanser of the body
Turmeric is botanically known as Curcuma longa, derived from the old Arabic name for the kurkum plant. This spice is a member of the ginger family and unrelated to saffron. Like ginger, it is the root of the turmeric plan ..more | |
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