Eating Out at Isola di Cocco in Poovar

Dining at Isola di Cocco - Poovar: A most beautiful, airy restaurant with a breathtaking view.

Isola di Cocco - Poovar - Restaurant View through Pigeon Net

 The retaurant food is excellent though service could be quicker. Breakfast was a bit of mix and match but a vast spread. From omelette (made with one egg) made on the spot, cakes (very delicious), bread, idli sambar, pav bhaji, dosa plus non-veg dishes. Tea/Coffee as well as milk shake and pineapple juice.

They offered Kerala Cuisine for lunch. Avial (Rs. 120) was okayish. The Phulkas were nice and soft (Rs.5/- each). The Nan (Rs. 25 each) was not stiff like a poppadum but soft and filling. The coconut soufflé icecream made of tender coconut malai was really tasty.

The dinner was even better than the lunch. Unfortunately they had opened the new restaurant section for it and we rather preferred the original section. There was a buffet for Rs. 450 plus taxes which we didn’t opt for. We preferred choosing from the menu. There was a live veena performance playing film tunes and Gandhi’s prayer.  Candles were lit on each table. The smoke got in the nostrils but the food was divine. And the electric lights were on as well so we could see what was on the plate. It was jeera rice (Rs. 150), Dal Lazooni (Rs.120) was superb and the good ol’ phulkas (Rs. 5/- each). The best part was the dahi (curd) served in a nice big bowl. It’s not charged extra. This is true of other restaurants in Kerala as well. The portions are large and served for two more than adequately. 

Where to Stay in Poovar: Isola di Cocco

Isola di Cocco means Island of Coconuts.

It is a beautiful resort.The Staff are courteous and really maintain the place. Spick and span.Solitude has taken abode here. Trifle poetic but really Nothing, not even yelling guests that some folks complain about can dent its serene silence.

Its vast property encompasses a sandy stretch of a small beach  with a hammock

Isola di Cocco - Poovar - Sandy Stretch of Beach View

Private lakes where you can fish, a lawn.

Pathways drenched in flowers of many hues.

Isola di Cocco - Poovar

As well as a swimming pool. 

Isola di Rocco - Poovar - Swimming Pool from Restaurant Pigeon Net

Isola di Rocco - Poovar - Swimming Pool

There is a library and indoor games like table-tennis and carom board. Plus billiards. There is a Yoga centre and beauty parlour. A kids’ play area and a children’s separate swimming pool. Ayurveda treatments are on offer as standalone treatments or packages.

Isola di Cocco - Poovar - Ayurveda Centre (this picture from Resort Brochure)

 

Things to Do in Poovar

There is absolutely nothing to do in Poovar!

Nothing. Hats off to the fishing community here which makes sure tourism keeps its distance. Tourist boating is not allowed after 6 pm so as not to disturb the fishes. Sunbathing is allowed only for the crocodiles. Swimming is for those living in the sea only. So Poovar is still serene.

The only time Poovar’s backwaters come alive with the sound of human traffic is when the locals have their boat races. Catch them if you can! Or visit the village where Kalaripayyatu, the ancient martial arts form is still taught. Else, just lie about doing nothing. Let the birds chatter.

How to reach Poovar:
It’s not reached. It’s discovered. You can take the water taxis, get ferried by the hotel you may be staying at or…

By road, it’s a 45 minute drive from Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala’s capital. From the city centre, say, the tourist destination of Napier Museum in Thiruvanthapuram, reaching Poovar would be 1 hour. 

Or you can drive down 1 hour from Kanyakumari…it’s the tip of India, that falls in adjacent state of Tamil Nadu.

Kerala Must See - Poovar

Poovar – Uncork Yourself Here

Poovar. It’s a place where your soul, body and mind can find refuge. Once upon a time, King Marthanda Varma of Travancore did. He hid from his enemies under the protection of merchant Moosa Marrikar and legend says it is the king who gave Poovar its name. Enchanted by the sight of red kovala flowers afloat on Neyyar river, King Marthanda Varma murmured puar...and the name stuck. Poovar, from flowers (pu) and river (ar)…a river of flowers. And Marthanda Varma went on to regain his kingdom. 

Poovar – A Serene Picturesque Feast for the Eyes

• It’s the tip, almost, of Kerala, there’s only the one village after it, so in a sense, you could say it is the beach-fountainhead of all the beauty of coastal Kerala.

• Poovar beach separates Neyyar river from the Arabian sea. The beautiful Kovalam beach is a heartbeat away – just 15 mins drive from Poovar.

• During high tide, Poovar island links to the beach by an adjacent estuary when lake, sea, beach and river commingle.

• 44 rivers snake lazily into an expanse of backwaters, deltas, lakes, canals and lagoons.

• Coconut groves, banana plantations add a dash of green lushness to the serene blue of the waters.