Juniormash

Not much to say about Pondicherry...the old part is quite french the new part very indian Hired a moped for the day and made the trip out to Auroville the "dreamchild" of Sri Aurobindo and "The Mother" a French woman back in the early 1900s. It's a project in "human unity" loads of people from all over the world living in india, where no religion or race or politics takes precendence over another. Tried out some of the beaches north of the city, not up to much so headed south, to find another recommended one...couldn't find the bloody thing! Not until it was too late to get there, apparently have to go by boat. As not much to do, in the evening found a gym and then headed off for something to eat. That's about it, ... read more

So the Pooram was over and I said my goodbyes to the gaggle of travellers that had accumulated of the last few days. Sorted out getting to Munnar by bus was the best way...bit of an effort as arrived in one place where I had been told to go, to find that I couldn't get a connecting local bus, luckily private bus on hand...and completed journey. Stayed at a small homestay run by an eccentric old chap, who runs the tourist info office in town...room was expensive as it was high season, but I wanted to stay for the views across the tea plantations. Arrived at night so couldn't see anything...and had to get rickshaw up to the place as it is a dangerous trip up their with wild elephants in the area....you don't want them ... read more

Can't believe...just lost the whole entry...with a view that it was probably too long anyway, here's the brief version. Went to Varkala to hang out on the beach for a few days...met some people who had been to Sri Sivananda's Yoga ashram and knew a lady I had met at Amma's who had also recommended I go. With the decision to go made...I finally gave in and bought some fisherman pants to do me Yoga in. bumped into the couple from Hull again, got a lift from a british guy on the back of his enfield to the train station, wicked journey. Got to Ashram, met some wicked people...the bloke called Vera, was a star, his wife worked at the ashram...he showed me all was not a pure at the ashram as you might have been ... read more

When I finally got back up to Ernakaulam, 3 hours after I was originally there!!! I finally lucked out that day and the bus going to the ferry to get to Fort Cochin was the first one I bumped into! ok it was a 10 minute journey but simple pleasures n all that. Arrived and strudged with my backpack to the town...all in an effort to save money and get a bit of excercise. Was met by a bloke who did the usual look at this hotel line, after taking me to a few that were full we finally got to another homestay. Despite the viscious dog experience last time I had still enjoyed the experience and decided that the room wasn't bad for the price, bathroom actually had a bath...bit ropey but still it had ... read more

So headed over to Hassan and arrived at 2am. Found a hotel...a bit expensive but at that time in the morning I couldn't be bothered trekking around the town. The next day I was on a bit of a mission to see masses of stuff. Despite this I didn't head off until 10am! First stop Sravanabelagola....The place with the big naked statue, which apparently means Monk on the White Pond. It's a really important Jain Pilgramege site. The statute is of Gomateshvara, a Jain deity. Apparently it's said to be the world's tallet monolithic statue. It's a very impressive and religious place. Every 12 years there is a massive pilgramage there. 2006 was one of those years...but it happens in January. However for the next few months Sundays are dedicated to the pilgramage and loads of ... read more