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Published: April 30th 2007
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Boatman
Backwaters - Kerala Hello! Sorry for the delay in posts, I now have some interesting things to share with you as have just come back from holiday with Mum, Dad and Steph. They arrived early Sunday morning, we spend few hectic days around Bangalore, showing them my flat, offering them the chance to see the cultural delights of Bangalore, or more accurately the shops and restaurants and the polluted filled air. I think they got a good taste of what Bangalore has to offer. Avoiding another day haggling with rikshaw drivers and dragging Dad around the shops we opted for a day in Mysore, one of the major tourist hubs of South India, it’s main attraction being the huge palace and markets. We arrived there around 11am, after a three hours coach journey. After having some food we had a tour around the palace and then went on to have a good mooch around the markets, filled with spices, incense, fruit and oils again to Dads delight. Luckily we stumbled across an Indian guy who lived in Tumbridge Wells, so had an in depth guided tour, which funnily ended up in his friends essential oil store.
After a not so pleasant journey
home we indulged ourselves in Bangalore’s finest cuisine - Dominos pizza and then went home to bed. The following day we flew down to Trivandrum in Kerala, a welcome change from my usual 12 hours coach journeys over night. About an hour outside Trivandrum was our home for the next 6 days, Isola di Cocca in Poovar. After an off road journey down a hillside track and through the mystical backwaters we finally made it. It was breathtaking, we was welcomed with fresh fruit juice and escorted to our heritage bungalows that was surrounded with tropical plants and birds. The bungalows, with huge beds, solid wood panelling and al fresco showering were so wonderful you didn’t need to leave, but with a pool looking out to the ocean, Ayurevidic treatments, a yoga centre, backwaters and tropical gardens we made the most of it. We spent most of our days relaxing, eating on the floating restaurant, with a couple of trips to Kovalam to satisfy our shopping desires. We had a wonderful time.
Finally it came time to say our good byes to Mum and Dad as they was off to Delhi and Agra on the plane, and Steph and
I was to take a 4 hour train ride north to Cochin. Departing was sad, but the train journey through the Keralan landscape and the prospect of somewhere new made it more bearable. We arrived late in Ernakulam, and travelled by cab to Fort Cochin, the more historical area. We had booked into Spencer’s Hotel but wasn’t really what we (or Steph) was looking for, so we crossed the road to Delight Home Stay, which I though was Delightful with it’s European style and cottage ambiance. However the Cockroach in the room didn’t please Steph too much so the following day we moved to Old Harbour Hotel nearby to the fishing nets. Complemets of Steph, the hotel was beautiful and only three months old. European in design, the eclectic mix of modern art, Indian artefacts and landscaped gardens made this a wonderful place to stay. Each room is named after nearby roads, and all completely individual. Similar to Isola di Cocca there was very few people staying there, the staff was very welcoming and helpful, and the food delicious if not a little expensive. Managing to drag ourselves out of the hotel, Cochin had lots to offer, well mainly shopping,
especially in Jew Street which was replete with Indian Antiques. We also visited the Indo-Portuguese museum - which wasn’t all that impressive, and the Dutch Cemetery which was a little morbid. But all in all the place was full of quirky little cafes and shops, and of course the infamous Chinese Fishing Nets, which all together would keep anyone occupied for 3 or 4 days.
We left Cochin early on the Friday morning, to return by flight to Bangalore. Spend our day shopping; I think Steph has supported at least 10 villages with her spending. In the evening we joined my friends at The Park Hotel for dinner and a party, we stayed up until her flight left the following morning. I was very sad.
This week I am going for Jive lessons which should be interesting.
Hope all is good with you all, would love to hear from you.
Lots of Love
Kate
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Steve Jenkins
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Care in the community
It is nice to see that you are offering a care in the community in the bottom picture. I didnt realise that dial a ride now do trips to india!