Punnamada Backwaters Resort Alappuzha

<br>The rain let up for a little while in the morning. Our hotel window supplied a splendid view of the activity on the late. Dozens of small dark wood canoes were out by daybreak setting their nets and traps. Most are dug-out of a single log ranging from about 12 feet to 20 feet long. They are propelled by using a long poll to push the small craft through the water. Apparently the lake is shallow for a long way. Next cam the larger ...

... just another lemon tree<br>I'm turning my head up and down<br>I'm turning, turning, turning, turning, turning around<br>And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon tree<br>And I wonder, wonder<br><br>I wonder how, I wonder why<br>Yesterday you told me 'bout the blue, blue sky<br>And all that I can see, and all that I can see<br>And all that I can see is just a yellow lemon tree <br><br><br>Please Note: "Due-ahh to-ahh heavy rain-ahh therahh are-ahhh no-ahh lemontrees ahh" <br>

... bruised by all the jumping and bouncing due to the treacherous state of the path. Ted took the sensible option and ran there, although it was mainly uphill. When we finally got there, we were well rewarded. A small tranquil pool, surrounded by huge imposing rocks, looked out over a vista that was enough to take your breath away. The driver and his pal scampered around on the rocks in their flip flops, while we gingerly traversed them to try and get the best shots ...

Well, they say Kerala is a relaxing place to be, and we did just that--relax. Being in Alleppey, there was definitely a different kind of atmosphere than any of the other cities I had been to in India. When we arrived at the bus station in Alleppey, of course we were approached by people wanting us to stay at their hotel. As always, this helps! We don't have to go in search of one ...

... to visit India, one of Vernee's work mates said, you must stay at my friend's hotel. So we did. The Raheem Residency is cited in both the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet as being the only top end place worth staying stay in Alleppey and it's also in India's latest Holy Book (Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay) so it's fair to say that we stepped out of the car with a certain level of expectation. From being greeted with a cold pineapple ...

We woke up early with the intention of siteseeing all day before catching the overnight train to Goa. We had stayed on the main land in kochi but close to the ketty so we took the jetty in the morning and went to look at the old palace. It was pretty small and tons of tourists inside...so it got pretty stuffy..There were also some VERY erotic pictures on the walls. we decided to just walk around all day and see as much as possible but didn't have the greatest map ...

... houses to one another. Everyone boats everywhere, but every little house is equipped with a small patch of land to one side for a garden, with the ever present cow and chickens, out front, there is a canoe, and a few steps down to the canal to wash - clothes and themselves, and the occasional beast, too. This goes on and on. In the backwaters, there are over 900km of waterways and they have clearly figured out this way of life. Once the sun starts going down, we start hearing this ...

... of munnar - looks like green shag carpet from the 1970s laid out over the hills, but really beautiful. 4. the spice gardens of thekkady - learning that peppercorns are berries, tumeric is a root, vanilla pods grow on orchids and nutmeg is the pit inside a fruit that gives us mace. 3. spending time in people's homes - we did three homestays/visits in kerala where we ...

Making our way north now we head to Cochin which is formed by several islands and peninsulas accessible by ferry. This place reminded Ben of Pondy. We watched an Indian classical music concert but other than that we just spent the days strolling around the lanes of old Fort Cochin.

... for while, but Mr Walton later said this might be difficult for me as these families often live in one room and often talk about how they need money to live and this would create an expectation). Back in Cochin and another delicious meal in Kashi's Cafe, we set off back to Jew Town to visit the unremarkable 17th century Portuguese Mattancherry Palace, before doing some more shopping! That evening we returned to our fish restaurant of the night before and waited an hour for our ...