South India

So we left Karnataka and headed by train to Cochin in kerala.

Train from Calicut to Cochin

We got on the train for a 5 hour journey it was the busiest we had seen the trains and thought it would soon quiet down and we would get a seat... oh no!! We stood for the full 5 hours!! We managed to stand by the door way to the train, (which means a little bit of air but not exactly fresh air!) which they leave open so you can throw yourself out at any point if you get fed up or its all getting too much!! 

Arriving in Cochin about 9:30 which got into a rickshaw and headed for Fort Cochin which is a smaller island and much quieter. On arrival like everywhere else we shopped around for a room... but here it was full everywhere! We finally found a place called Daffodill home stay which was gorgeous, clean, new and the family were so friendly and helpful we could of stayed forever, however one downside, it was more than we would normally pay for a nights accommodation.

Chinese Fishing nets

We stayed here for 3 nights and found ourselves very busy. We walked along the harbour and saw the Chinese Fishing nets and were also asked up to help... being tourists and nosy we did... we helped pull the nets up, looked at the catch and had tea... as we were about to leave... they wanted MONEY! Stupid tourists, must fall for it every time, but it was good fun! That evening we went to a theatre to see a show of local dancing and we also watched the makeup being put on before hand which takes 2 hours and was very impressive. The show had no speaking and before it started they went through what all the expressions meant and the story.

Helping out on the fishing nets

The day after we spent the day on the Backwaters of Cochin on a houseboat which was very relaxing and calm and no noise, except the sound of the man paddling the boat with a very long piece of Bamboo. We saw lots of beautiful scenary and people washing and cleaning in the river. Sometimes felt a little intrusive and some homes had signs saying no photography and luckily everyone on our boat respected that.

after the house boat we had lunch which was served on a large banana leaf, then we boarded a small open canoe, which took us along even narrower lanes on the backwaters this was also very chilled and good fun. We when arrived back we went to a local italian restaurant for pizza and pasta (for a change) it was the worse italian we have ever had and probably one of the most expensive meals we've had here!

Backwaters in Cochin, Kerala

We left Fort Cochin by bus on the monday and headed for Munnar (5 hours) which is 1500m up a mountain and its gorgeous and green and cooler! We are sat writing this wearing our jeans and fleece... Im even wearing Pj's for bed!! Dont feel too worried about us though its still shorts and t.shirt weather during the day! Today we have been on a full day trip further up the mountian taking us to over 2000m to see the Tea Plantations and go on a 2 hour trek even further up the mountain. We had a great group and had a lovely day, the views were spectacular. We had a mad bus driver though and going down hill mean no brakes just go go go, and fingers crossed you dont bump into anyone else... we had a little girl on our tour and bless her she wasnt well!

View of the backwaters in Cochin, Kerala

Back in Munnar we have just been out for dinner which we thought was rubbish and walking back Tom was still hungry so had food on one of the street kitchens, we watched the food being cooked and was lovely and was only 16 rupees... so cheap, going there again tomorrow! (Im just hoping they provide a folk or spoon... im not good eating with my hand/fingers!)

Tomorrow we are off exploring by oursleves around Munnar.      

Sunset over the Chinese Fishing Nets

Sunset in Fort Cochin

Traditional dance/makeup

Mountain day in Munnar @ Lakkom Waterfalls

Tea Plantations, Munnar