Amazingly, more beaches...

Keeping up the trend of relaxing we headed out to the coast to a guesthouse near the town of Kannur. The place we stayed is quite isolated and away from all the usual hub-bub of Indian cities, and only a few minutes walk from a few very local and undeveloped beaches. One has to be given the credit of being the nicest beach we have seen on this trip - palm fringed sands, fishermen, no bamboo huts and no touts trying to get you to spend your rupees. Bliss! We spent a few morning trying to combat what by now felt like a constant onslaught of food (this was another place which plied you with ridiculously large portions) by running and swimming - something the scenery meant even I could manage!!

1. Rocky Outcrop

The main attraction (other than the beaches) is the local ritual dances, Theyyams. During this time of year there are regular performances where dancers will be invited to various celebrations. There will be many hours of preparations, during which the dancer will paint their body and face and don sometimes very ornate costumes and headgear, before entering into a 'trance like state' and perform as possesed by a spirit, blessing those present accompanied by the beating of very loud drums.

2. Fishermen

We were lucky to be invited to a local family's house blessing along with two other people from our guesthouse, where we welcomed with tea, cakes and fruit - the Kerelans are extremely friendly and seem to love feeding people - before joining the guests. All the family along with neighbours watched as the two performers whirled and spun to the beat of the drums for about an hour, their eyes rolling back in their heads, while carrying out a number of rituals which we can't pretend we understood. It was a wonderful and very intimate experience.

3. What a Beach Should Be Like

4. Tropical, eh?

5. Very Well, Thanks!!

6. Preparations

7. Preparations

8. Preparations

9. The Finished Product