I'm actually writing this from boring old Paris - I got back from my India trip today. It was a sad flight, an I'm already homesick flight, and I actually had to offer a package of kleenex to the sad young guy sitting next to me going off to study in America... Anyway, I just had to write this one last post because several interesting things happened on my last day: 1. Finally tried a Vadapav, very nice and it only cost 10 roupies. 2. Had dinner at Leopold's and Gregory David Roberts, the author of Shantaram, was sitting at the [View Full Entry]

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I'm really sad because about 200 photos somehow disappeared from one of my picture cards...so no photos of the Bird's Lagoon, the backwaters, or most of my travels across Kerala. I am usually really good about backing up but what with staying in remote places and the lack of good efficient internet services - I let 200 photos accumulate and now they are gone :-( Anyway, have been doing lots of eating and walking around in Mumbai and here are some photos. Today I plan to go to Chowpatty and check out the edibles there - stay tuned [View Full Entry]

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Je suis de retour a Mumbai et j'ai trouve de l'internet convenable alors ce post est pour toi car je sais que tu adores ce genre de chose. Les photos ont ete prise entre le 12 et le 24 au Kerala et je pense que j'en ai d'autres sur un autre carte que je posterai demain ou apres demain. Tout va bien a Mumbai, hier j'ai mange au MacDo un Chicken Maharajah Mac et j'ai un photo aussi. C'est un peu complique car je suis oblige de mettre les photos sur CD avant de les poste alors tu les verra avec [View Full Entry]

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I'm not really in Kochi but somewhere slightly north and still with really sketchy internet access. Anyway my time off the grid has been interesting - I've taken lots of photos and will be back to Mumbai on Sunday 24 where I will make it my priority to update this blog. And, also have a lot of really cool jungle spider and bug photos for Maya - you are going to be so sad you didn't come with me...bisous [View Full Entry]

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After the Silent Valley area I spent two nights in Vythiri. Unfortunately there was some sort of general strike and all the roads were blocked so I got stuck hanging around the hotel my one day there. Fortunately the food was good. [View Full Entry]

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I spent three nights (16,17,18) with no electricity in the woods and it was really fun. Once again the location is not on the travelblog available locations list but it was near to Silent Valley (which unfortunately I could not visit because it is the bad season (monsoon). [View Full Entry]

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From the 12th to the 15th I was at the Bird's Lagoon Resort near Thattekad which is not listed in the available locations. Anyway, it was a really nice place with great service, excellent food and a perfect location. I didn't see all that many birds because it is not the season but I did have a really nice rest here in this peaceful place. [View Full Entry]

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I did the one day tour of the backwaters including lunch. It was really nice and peaceful on the canals. Will post photos later. [View Full Entry]

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Arrived in Kochi last night. My Indigo flight was cancelled at the last minute and I didn't find out until I got to the airport so it was quite the adventure finding another flight but somehow it all worked out and I'm here. The town itself is just a tourist trap and I'm just looking forward to leaving. Of course this is just my opinion because the guidebooks love it and it is full of tourists. I also had my worst meal since I got to India in a tourist trap cafe (because it seems like that's all there is here). [View Full Entry]

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Bombay is totally fascinating. There is a good vibe and lots of energy. I am surprised that I liked it so much. The first day I was really stressed about getting to the dentist's on time (and just going to the dentist's stresses me out as well) but he was kind and gentle. I go back on the 24th for him to finish up. I forgot to take a photo of the hotel but it was really not bad - clean room and hot water. I stayed at the Hotel New Bengal near Crawford Market. The weather is monsoony - gray [View Full Entry]

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