Neeleshwar Hermitage Kerala

... a boy throwing stones at it. It makes an attempt to jump the curb, fails, and falls. I watch amused, as the rat tries to jump again, struggling to climb the curb. It succeeds and disappears into a drainage pipe. I laugh at this absurd sight and continue on my way.

S. Bathery is not worth mentioning more in detail. Half the town is drunk, as it turns out to be a Muslim holiday (which I get woken up to in ...

Off on a train again. Heading up back into the mountains, this time to Waynard Nature Reserve. Train is much nicer than bus in my book to get around. I begin to notice a lot of stares from people, different than what I have encountered before. While foreigners are somewhat common in Kerala (which you still get stared at), as I leave the busy areas to go into more rural areas, those stares last longer and are more intrusive. As I completely understand the nature of ...

... just catapulted itself into top position! But time was ever pressing, so I returned to pick up my backpack and took the bus to Kochi, via Ernakulum (leaving my backpack in left luggage). I’d decided to return from Southern to Central Kerala to snatch a quick glimpse of Fort Cochin - an area where Chinese fishing nets, Jewish synagogue, Portuguese homes and British colonialism have all made their mark. It’s actually a number of islands and peninsulas but Fort ...

... these houses.Another f*mous tourist *ttr*ction is the Seeth*rkundu . It is believed th*t R*m* , L*kshm*n*  *nd Sit*  of ...

... after an hour's delay and hundreds of people disembarked, leaving piles of rubbish and dirty bedding in their wake, we were soon to find out. We squeezed ourselves onto the filthy train and were most dismayed to find that "second class" means that each person has a bunk off the main corridor but with no separate carriages, only a flimsy curtain to pull across for privacy. Not only that, but we had both been allocated an upper bunk, meaning that neither of us ...

... kilo - organic tea can fetch up to 400 rupees a kilo. Big difference, and it's admirable that the Ashley Estate owners have gone this way, and are willing to take a hit until they can turn their manufacture into a profit. Mel had been feeling under the weather for the last couple of days, but when she broke into a fever, it was decided that she needed to go to the hospital to rule out Malaria. Therefore, the afternoon found four our us - me, Ted ...

... do so well this one simply melted into a mass and crushed into the temple behind the main procession. Being disinclined to march over very sharp stones barefoot we headed of down the side to meet the procession as it appeared from the side gate. We needn't have worried about sharp stones as several tons of talcum-like sand had been laid to avoid just that problem. A very short time later the princess and her entourage emerged, our friend Vinod acting as her guide. The official ...

... so lots of colonial buildings and architecture. Vasco De Gama died here and his remains were buried in St. Francis Church for 14 years until they were returned to the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. This is also the place of Chinese fishing nets and traditional Kerelan dancing - Kathakali. ** CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF THE CHINESE FISHING NETS!! ** Based on the Portuguese influence, we were pleased to find out Cochin was very laid back and relaxed. Also the ...

... to drive a forklift truck into their reception playing Land of Hope and Glory. Cricket was everywhere. As a big fan of the game it was fantastic to see kids (100s, maybe 1000s, maybe millions) playing on every strip of green grass everywhere. Ahh, jumpers for stumps... One downside of Fort Cochin was the food. This was a big let down after the unbelievable food of the wedding in Chennai. The nadir was a Palak Paneer which Rachel ordered. This must have ...

the beautiful, peaceful backwaters lulled me and Aisling into a happy stupor as we cruised at a lacksadasical speed on the boat up the placid waters.. . Plenty of beautiful sights, old houses and wonderful, South Indian style boats, INCLUDING the amazing, massive house-boats, constructed from a complex network of palms, including windows and all~ Highly recommended-