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7 Photos to inspire you to visit Indias southern tip: Kanyakumari

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.ggpht.com/-ogI5cIAtOSw/VBrsQFvAFaI/AAAAAAAAiDk/mIb93Wdu-Bo/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-6.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060416009741800866″ caption=”Harbour colourful houses” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-6.jpg” ]

We like to gamble when we travel. Destination roulette.

We choose a location that is barely featured in online guides and that we don’t know anyone who has ever been there.

We’ll end up somewhere that is way off the regular tourist trail… And, Sometimes it’s rubbish.

But, sometimes, we discover a hidden gem.

During our 2.5 months in India, we covered a lot of ground. From Amritsar & Shimla in the north, we eventually made it to Kanyakumari, the final stop on the very edge of the Indian sub-continent. From there you look out on unbroken ocean that continues all the way to Antarctica without hitting any major land mass.

Kanyakumari may be a little rough around the edges, you could say that about most of India, but it certainly has charm and ended up being a surprise highlight of our trip.

I wouldn’t skip the Taj Mahal to go there. But, if you are in Tamil Nadu and you have a couple of days spare, it’s worth the trip.

Take a look below and you can decide for yourself.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh5.ggpht.com/-W-Co-Mtxusw/VBrsOhogFYI/AAAAAAAAiDo/yEBnnVSqSfA/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-3.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060415982870992258″ caption=”Sunset little girl” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-3.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”https://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vc7sWv91jKw/VBrsOsifNMI/AAAAAAAAiDE/kbHFhHePnlY/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-2.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060415985798558914″ caption=”Sunset Fishermen” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-2.jpg” ]

Locals and Indian tourists gather in between the fisherman on the western beach to watch the sunset.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh4.ggpht.com/-HaO3yBlGL_k/VBrsQ4863eI/AAAAAAAAiDY/qmgUSR5yNGY/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060416023490387426″ caption=”Monument” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs.jpg” ]

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial sits on a small islet, just south of the southern mainland point of India. A few rupees gets you on a boat over to the memorial where you can look out on the endless ocean.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.ggpht.com/-hk28s_Gv4pY/VBrsO1HZdJI/AAAAAAAAiDc/W9t_rb0VCgI/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-4.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060415988100854930″ caption=”Boats and monument” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-4.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”https://lh5.ggpht.com/-yeQzKPuUX1w/VBrsPzzbmwI/AAAAAAAAiDQ/f4kFU33V9so/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-5.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060416004928543490″ caption=”Little boy on boat” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-5.jpg” ]

Colourful boats fill the eastern harbour, just north of the Vivekananda Rock memorial

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.ggpht.com/-tYfYwEwNI4o/VBrsQZyPYUI/AAAAAAAAiDM/9PLc0JqGxrU/s144-c-o/Kanyakamuri%252520photo%252520thurs-7.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116891628874154789885/PhotoThursdays?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_ehJ_xk-L0jwE#6060416015124095298″ caption=”Gandhi Gandi monument” type=”image” alt=”Kanyakamuri photo thurs-7.jpg” ]

 The sunset silhouettes Kanyakumari’s Gandhi Memorial. So many memorials across India claim to be the final resting place of Gandhi’s remains. Is this the real deal? We don’t know. If you know, tell us in the comments below…

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Would you travel way off the regular tourist trail just to see what is there?

Or perhaps you want to experience India but you’re not to certain about travelling independently? We recommend Intrepid travel, they have some great India itineraries and 3 styles of travelling – so there’s something for everyone. 

Leave us a comment. Or do us a solid by tweeting or liking this article to let your other adventurous friends in on this hidden gem.

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