Kuttanad Scenic Villa Hotel Alappuzha

... place <br><br>With a sense of fun and adventure. <br><br> &#8220;REAL - HUG &#8211; WITH NATURE&#8221;<br><br>Waking up to 400 acre views of lush Green<br><br>Rice fields on one side ...

... was at 4pm. We were never so ravenous in our collective lives and the food was marvellously wonderful. We were too happy to care about all the cheating we were subjected too. In fact, so happy that we even saw that as a talent. We were told by our chef, who was by the way introduced to us as Kannan's brother, making it all a family affair, that forget being a sibling, none of their forefathers were related too. And in fact, his name probably was not even Kannan! We were promised hot ...

... the boat. 24 boats compete in the race and there are 200+ boats that compete. Janpal says the total rowers would be 22,000+. Mommy: It is one of the most unique things I have ever done. And we were so pleasantly surprised that we had to call poppi, wake him up, and get him on skype so we could show him what we were doing. Sorry poppi, but we're glad we got to talk to you. We are in a houseboat, which means the boat we are on has two bedrooms and ...

... one. They're using the family home for home stay and have built a large 2nd house and another is under construction for Thomasville. Altogether they can house 23 guests and 2 guides. Thomas may allow a few guests to stay with him. I guess the family is very wealthy. Phillip mentioned he had sold a couple houses in England before the prices dropped, and is hanging onto another waiting for the market to come back.

... provided some welcome relief. The main tourist season rapidly comes to a close in April and it seemed we had the whole hotel to ourselves. Given that Cameron has taken to jumping into the pool on his own (with float jacket) and demanding to leap from Rob's shoulders, this is probably just as well. Afterwards, Rob and Cameron took themselves off for a well earned nap while Vernee had another Ayurvedic massage - purely for ...

... if they're relying on us for provisions because we had nothing to give them! The next day we're on the water again. This time on an 8 hour cruise to our next stop, Kollam. Jonathan returns rather traumatised from shopping for snacks for the trip. Apparently on vendor, who needs a lesson in customer care, asked him whether his skin disease hurt - oops! The only other time I've seen him this offended was when a hawker offered to accept his watch in ...

... went for a run today (it's cooler here, so I could don thin pants and cover my shoulders as well without suffering). It was great and highly entertaining for the villagers I ran past. Not as entertaining for the cows who were scared of me. 2. SPICES Kumily is famous for its spices and it's wildlife sactuary, Periwar. I went to a spice plantation today and saw cardamom (this region is known as the cardamom ...

... on the boat but still all good fun. But the guesthouse that we stayed at in Allepey either side of our boat trip was fantastic!!! The guys there were so friendly & it was actually like staying in someone's house. There were only 3 rooms so we were the only ones staying there so we just chilled out on the balcony drinking lots of cold Kingfishers! Back in Allepey now & our little group's splitting up tomorrow. Nick, Rosie, Dave & Nechama are ...

... festival and that for 200 rupees we could all go by motorcycle. As I had nothing to do and was interested in the celebrations I agreed to go with them. So off we went with me riding on the back of a motorcycle racing through the warm, moist, night air out of Cochin and into the countryside with the explosion of fireworks guiding our journey. We crossed over a number of bridges and soon reached the site of the celebrations where the streets were ...

... s not for me. That Amma is an extraordinary woman and the world could do with more like her is no doubt. She has an incredible energy and such goodness about her, but the Lutheran in me had slight problems with the worship of a living person.. After my hug I jumped on the slow boat to Allappey and then headed off to Cohin from there in a cab with 3 lovely people I met on the boat, a harmonious Canadian couple and the sweetest young Englishman. We all went out for dinner when we got to ...