Hot, hot,hot and humid !

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And so from freezing UK to boiling Kerala - at least 38 degrees and humid with it!! All went well landing in Kochi - much nicer than Mumbai. Lots of coconut palms and greenery. Few beggars ( discouraged by Govt) and of course mad traffic. With a group of 9 people ( the oldest as usual!) and am sharing with Helen from Perth Aus who is very laid back and good company. Others from Denver, Munich. Belfast and Nottingham and Preston. Have spent 2 days in homestay on backwaters with slow boat rides accompanied by Keralan chants from the rowers ( or so I assume , could be anything they are singing!) Local bus not as bad as it looks if you get on first. Ferries amazingly cheap - less than 10p for at least half an hour.
Yesterday was a brilliant experience and totally unexpected. Our guide Vinut had his engagement function and we were all invited. His family made us so welcome - not sure what his fiancee thought as she had only met him once for about 2 mins and there we all were joining in and enjoying ourselves. The lunch was fun - had to eat with fingers...not easy with yoghurt!!
Today in National Park at some ungodly hour to look for non-existent wildlife - well saw an elephant and wild boar - and all before brekikie!!

Tomorrow local bus for 4 hours to Pondicherry - home of Auroville ( So Kath I am getting to see it after all!) an experimental international community which sounds amazing and interesting.

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Photos

Kerala
On the bus

Kerala
Beautiful backwaters

Kerala
Finger food - not as easy as it looks

Kerala
Young love - hopefully !!