Design your own clothes and other Kovalam, India Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: SM Handloom Centre

I wandered into this shop as I'd spotted a silk dress that I liked.....About GBP3, and it fitted!

Outside the shop were a couple of men, busy working at sewing machines, surrounded by rails of clothing..silk, cotton, linen etc.
Inside..bales of richly coloured materials plain and patterned and more ready made clothes..

I hadn't intended having any clothes made, but, didn't take me long to decide that I NEEDED a new wardrobe! I
t took me a lot longer to decide on style and material!!..so much choice.

My outfit was ready as promised by the next day,and neatly wrapped in newspaper and string. I was so pleased that I ordered another outfit.

The tailors were efficient, polite and helpful. They didn't pressurise me to buy anything.

This shopping experience was one of my many holiday highlights

Of course they sell mens/childrens clothing too..but only 1 category to tick

What To Buy: Cool loose fitting shirts/skirts/trousers.

Your favourite outfit copied in silk.

Design your own individual outfit

What To Pay: For a skirt suit, vest top and dress in silk I paid about GBP28. the suit jacket was interfaced too.

For the trouser suit (3 pieces) and wrap, I think it was about GBP 25.

Was told by others that this is expensive compared to Trivandrum.
I liked this shop though, and it was more convenient for me than travelling too and from Trivandrum.

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Phone: 04712725167
Address: SM Handloom centre, Hotel Jeevan House.
Directions: Centre of Lighthouse Beach. Near the path way to Sandy Beach Hotel and the police box.

Name of Shop: Joseph & Sons

Although I had purchased spices, during my Spice Route tour, I was looking for jars/boxes to store my spices in. The owner didn't have any of these.
I asked what local people would use and he described a flat tin which contained upto 6 smaller tins, he also said he could get one for me for the next day. I ordered 2, which arrived as promised.

In the shop are a variety of packaged spices and teas. The owner is very knowledgeable about spices. Those sold here are all grown in his home village 220kms SE of Kerala, and are fresh and of good quality.

I purchased a packet of masala tea, which contained a useful information sheet about its uses (good for fever and digestion). He also gave me a leaflet about the spices he sold, which contained recipes and lots of useful information.

I enjoyed shopping here, chatting about the spices etc. I wasn't pressurised to buy anything, and the shop smelt wonderful!

What To Buy: Spices.....Cardamom, saffron, coriander, vanilla pods, cinnamon, dry ginger, fenugreek, mustard, nutmeg and mace, star anise, turmeric,tamarind, aniseed, asafoetida, palm jaggery and more .. All for making authentic tasting keralan dishes.
teas... masala, cardamom...a change from PG Tips!

What To Pay: I think I paid about GBP1 for each of the tins. Can't remember how much the spices were, probably more expensive than if bought out of resort, but cheaper and of better quality than if bought in UK. I paid about GBP 5 for a tin of saffron in Kumily....picked in N India, but will last for a long time...

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Theme: Food and Drink
Phone: 0486 2236105
Address: Lighthouse Beach, Nr Sandy Beach Hotel
Directions: Follow path from centre of Lighthouse Beach (nr police box) walk past Sandy Beach hotel, few yards along on same side as hotel
Other Contact: email; vmjosephin@yahoo.co.in

Name of Shop: On the beaches

You'll no doubt soon encounter the sarong sellers along the beaches/pathways of Kovalam. Some are very persistant!

On my first day in Kovalam, I encountered Babu, a sarong seller. I explained that I wasn't buying until nearer the end of my hols, when I'd completed my Spice Tour etc. He was quite chilled about this.

On my return to Kovalam, I was pestered by quite a few sarong sellers to buy their wares, but I told them I'd promised to buy from Babu. (whereby they accepted this!)

By the end of my hols, when I wanted to purchase some silk sarongs, I hadn't seen Babu, but after asking around, he turned up.

I looked at his selection, shortlisted a few, then we settled down to some bargaining, eventually reaching a price we were both happy with. I paid, we shook hands and walked away.

Soon I was facing another sarong seller, who tried to convince me I needed more sarongs, and his were cheaper and a better quality. I didn't believe him!

My friend had earlier encountered Babu, and had explained she wanted a top to wear under a sari she'd purchased in Goa a year ago. Babu had promised a suitable top would be ready at an appointed hour. Doubting him, she did make the rendezvous, and true to his word, he produced the required garment and for an acceptable price.

Result..2 happy customers and a happy Babu!

Babu was probably the least pushy vendor I encountered during my stay.

What To Buy: Silk Sarongs, a variety of colours and quality/ weight.
lunghis

What To Pay: I think I paid equivelant of £8 for 3 sarongs. No doubt you can get them cheaper elsewhere, but I was happy.

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Theme: Local Craft
Address: Lighthouse Beach area Kovalam.
Directions: Don't look They'll find you!!