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Design your own clothes and other Kovalam, India Shopping Tips

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Kovalam Shopping Tips by suvanki

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suvanki    
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse? - Bruce Springsteen


Real Name: Sue
Lives In: Sheffield, UK
Member Since: Feb 19, 2004
VT Rank: 77

 
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Kovalam Shopping
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SM Handloom Centre: Design your own clothes
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated by suvanki on Oct 28, 2004
  • Kovalam Travel Guide
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  • 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.
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    Joseph & Sons: Keralan Spices
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated by suvanki on Oct 21, 2004
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  • 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
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    On the beaches: Sarongs/Lunghis etc
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated by suvanki on Jan 25, 2008
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  • Kovalam - Babu the sarong vendor
  • Babu the sarong vendor
  • by suvanki
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  • 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.

    Leave a Comment

    Theme: Local Craft
    Address: Lighthouse Beach area Kovalam.
    Directions: Don't look They'll find you!!
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    Comments for suvanki about Kovalam
    IndiaRouteMap Fri Mar 20, 2009 13:20 UTC
     Well the paste that was applied to your forehead must be sandal wood paste. It is believed to have medicinal properties and gives an instant cooling effect. And 'protecting hindus from tourists' well thats absolutely wrong info.
    mikkie50 Wed Nov 5, 2008 21:40 UTC
     ha ha ha had to laugh at this post re the fruit seller mikkie:-))
    scottishvisitor Thu Oct 30, 2008 22:28 UTC
     I so enjoyed my virtural tour here = but you would never get me on an elephant :) even if it did feel like a leather couch I would still fall off!!
    ELJHEM Fri Apr 18, 2008 17:59 UTC
     The Rock Cafe is a great place to sit and watch.
    See More Comments

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