Blogs from Angamaly, Kerala, India, Asia

I must apologize in advance for this post because: 1) I feel far too lazy to put any effort into its coherance, and 2) It is so freaking hot here that I fear sitting here for more than 15 minutes will result in death by drowning in my own sweat. But here I go anyways: We left Goa a few days ago via a train to Mangalore, and another to Kochi. We thought ourselves to be very smart on this journey, and booked ourselves a stop over in Mangalore so that we could eat, get a little bit of real sleep on a stable surface, before having to catch another train at 4:45am to arrive in Kochi, Kerala. We arrived at our stop over at 10pm, and again, thinking ourselves to be very clever, decided to ... read more

The Seven hour car ride from Ooty to Kochi was painful, but later found that it was worth the trouble. Car travel from Coimbatore to Kochi must be avoided because the roads are in a shamble simply they can not bear the burden of traffic. Take the train. Koci is one of those few very unusual cities in India, where the influences of multiple cultures and religions are deeply felt. There are Dutch, English, and French Jewish influences easily noted in both food and architecture. Again an amazing mixture of religions coexist peacefully, a reality of which they are verbally proud. These include Hindu, Jaine, Islamic and of course Christian which is one of the dominant religions here. But most tourists are drawn here to experience the backwater boat tours. Koci in general is a large ... read more

What is Happening As you may have read after my marriage to Ruby I had to return to the UK on the 4th July, as my Indian visa was expiring and can not be renewed while in India. I left India thinking Ruby would follow me on the 15th September. However, I received a phone call from India "Ruby can not get UK visa" so I had to fly back out to India to find out what the problem was. I have a travel agent called Bobby who is applying on Ruby's behalf to the British consulate for Ruby's visa the fee for the visa is £500 a large some for me, but a huge some of money 43,200 rupees here in India. Bobby was reluctant to apply for a visa for Ruby because if the ... read more

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Going home soon Asia » India » Kerala » Angamaly By Big Jimmy June 30th 2007 Well my dear friends this my be the last Blog from India as my visa is expiring I fly back to the UK on Wed where I will be staying in London for two days before returning to Glasgow 6/7 July Roobie that is the correct spelling follows 14th August and will be in London for 2/3 days before coming home to Glasgow. I must apologize for using the a Travel Blog and I was not traveling outside Kerala. I would appreciate any comments bad/good as to the content of the writing. or anything. I look forward to bringing Roobie to meet the friends. Till we meed again After Some T... read more

It’s all over Thursday 7th June Well it’s all over Ruby belongs to me. Ruby’s family put on a great function as they say here. Ruby and I were sat on a throne and served a meal of chicken curie, rice and pineapple. Then I set off with my bride to Nixy’s parents house , to yet another function we were sat on thrones set out with flower arrangements on the roof of the house, cool breezes coming off the quarry filled with water and we had a repast of chicken birranie Report to the Police Mrs. Ruby Stewart has to report to her village police station to get clearance for her passport application this is the start of the road .to get her residence visa allowing her to stay in the United Kingdom. Well ... read more

The Beggar Lady One when in Angalmaly one morning I was approached by an Indian lady begging as is common in India. I rarely give money to beggars however, she was a nice elderly lady and I had a one rupee coin in my pocket so I handed over this coin. I don’t speak the local language but I think the conversation went something like this “Son if this all you can give me, you need it more than me “ok” I said “I will take it back” and tried to take my one rupee back. Her hand snapped shut (I could have lost a finger) she turned to her companion “This rich bastered only gave me one rupee and he tried to take it back” or words to that effect. Begging is very common ... read more

Thursday 17th I went with Antony and his friends to see some property that was being bought and was to be surveyed. After two hours driving we arrived at the property. To me it was a jungle of coconuts, bananas, mangos and other fruits. Of more interest to me was a small lake that attracted many birds. Friday 18th May I had an early morning bath in the loch outside the house I’m living in. I decided to shave off my beard while sitting up to my waist in the water as I shaved I was surrounded by small fish having a feast on my facial hair. After some time I took an auto into Angamaly got two pairs of trousers shorted at the great cost of 20 Indian rupees about 00.25 UKP’s the cost ... read more