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Published: September 21st 2009
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This gentleman doing some work gives us a wave Best day yet! From Kochi to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala
Today was amazing! and almost indescribable. Left the Grand Hotel just after 8.30am and took a tuk tuk to the bus station to then catch a bus to Allepey where we then boarded a boat and began our journey into the backwaters of Kerala. The entire journey was about 3.5 hours, after which we arrived at an island village to stay with Thomas Zachariah and his lovely family - his wife Elizabeth and their children Anne (6) and Anina (4). His brother Matthew was there too and their mother who I believe was also named Elizabeth.
The house we stayed in was their sisters who has been in Manchester for 6 years but will return in November. Th house was beautiful with an en-suite for Sarah and myself and a nice porch to sit on.
After a delicious traditional Keralan lunch of several dishes based around coconut I went for a walk along the waters edge with Natalie while Sarah helped/distracted the chidren from their school work (they are home schooled). We then had somereally good black tea and tasty biscuits and played frisbee with Anne and
Bus
The bus we had just come off. The guy was going along selling snacks. Anina before setting off on a tour of the island, led by Matthew.
Matthew explained to us lots of the islands history as we walked round the waters edge and through the rice fields, stopping to talk with one of the islands oldest residents at 86 years old. We soon arrived back at the water on the other side, which is where we began our journey back by canoe.
This was extremely relaxing and slow paced as we drifted along past the homes that lined the waters edge, with residents down by the water beating their clothes clean on the rocks, collecting water, and washing out dishes, as bats few overhead.
As the sun slowly went down, the stars began to come out one by one until the whole sky was glittering and we tried to spot constellations. The whole lush setting was just beautiful as the palm trees became black silhouettes against the dark blue Keralan sky and the sounds of villagers singing echoed across the backwaters.
What was even more beautiful still was when Matthew lead some traditional folk songs supported by the two other men paddling at the back and Chandra. Tapping the
boat to keep the beat, they sang four songs and explained their meanings, including one about a guy that was reassuring his wife that he would be able o buy her parents nice gifts for their return after their first week of marriage, despite being poor.
We finished the day off with a lovely meal of poori which is my best so far and I had to force myself to stop. Afterwards we spent the remainder of the evening sitting out on the porch chatting and watching fireflies. A truly magical evening, much more than I could ever have imagined or hoped for.
General thoughts for today
- just amazing! Words cannot do it justice
- saw the biggest and quickest spider ever on the porch
- super cute geckos running around the hall - want to capture one for a pet
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A Kumar
amitkumar Bumb
have gr8 Indian tour
Hi Jaki!!! warm wish oh your India Tour, I don't know how much time you have. But if you have time you must visit full India. Here in India you went upto Amritsar (Punjab) next to that state there is Rajashtan a Gr8 Indian traditional state Then Gujrath - the state of Diamonds and Garments after to Gujrath.. here my State MAHARASHTRA......... Gr8 Indian tradition with updated Technology.