Blogs from Kerala, India, Asia - page 166

Note to the many, many readers: I'm back-dating the entries to coincide with the actual dates we arrived at our locations. So although I'm posting two weeks later, the dates will show when we were actually there. Otherwise, there is no delay, the entries are published as soon as they are completed. For the first Kerala entry, Jill is making a guest appearance: If Roy said it was hot in Goa, it was even hotter once we arrived in Kerala. But the hot sweaty days are not what stick out most in our minds looking back at the days spent in Fort Kochi, our first stop in Kerala. It is the people that we met. Everyone was so friendly and hospitable here that the agressiveness that we encountered up north was long forgotten. We arrived in ... read more

Two rows of drummers and three rows of pipers are building a tower of rhythm in front of the Bhagati temple in Nayarambalam. As the melam reaches a crescendo, men on top of the nine caparisoned elephants behind the pipers stand up, ritualistically fanning their alavattom and venchamaram. Pambadi Rajan, the King of Elephants that presides over the nine tuskers, stands majestically with four men and the deity on its top. Eight days and eight nights of festivities have left the elephants tired. Each of them has three men on top and two mahouts nearby. The animals stand motionless amid the crowd as tourists click away at the magnificent view. Wounds on their legs and hips constantly remind them of the harsh lessons given by their little trainers. As a session of the concerts gets over, ... read more

The same rickshawman came and took us back to the Trivandrum railway station in the afternoon. He took us to the biggest temple in Trivandrum in whicw only Indian people can enter. There is a swimming pool just besides the temple. People after swimming and getting cleaned, can then go to pray. Our train was "Rajasti Train" which is the best one in India travelling between Delhi and Trivandrum in 48 hrs. Dinner and breakfast have been served on the train and meals were quite good. After 16 hrs. journey, we arrived at Madgoan at noon time on 27th Jan. In all trains 30 percent discount is applied to those over 60 years age.... read more

Well, we have just arrived at the capital city of the state of Kerela, and I thought I would try to capture what we have been doing over the past two days. If I do not do so now, I will lose it and never get it back. On Monday morn, we went by car, Hindustan Motors, Ambassador Classic, 2006,and driver, from Kochi to Aleppo to do our own personal houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Kerela. The backwaters, best I can tell, are waterways that result from coast line contention, between the ever present Arabian Sea and the myriad rivers that attempt to flow into the sea, with not a lot of success, so that the waters back up into what is a fertile plain, beyond which stand the mountains that source the rivers. On ... read more

Last night Vernon sent you the first part of his description of our time in paradise, time that will go down in our personal history as an all time best. The images of our journey through the backwater are now be added and will now provide visuals of the peace, tranquility and beauty we experienced. The trip had us both spellbound. And now over to Vernon for the continuation of his description of the backwaters of Kerela. Penny THROUGH AND OUT OF THE BACKWATERS OF KERELA Our team of three devoted their every waking hour ensuring that we truly enjoyed what was unfolding around us. Meals were genuine Kerela fare. It is distinguished in its use of spices and herbs of the area for preparing sauces that accompany each dish. The sauces were so delightful, I ... read more