Blogs from Kerala, India, Asia - page 6

As soon as we checked into our luxurious city apartment in Kochi, the romance of Kerala really started to sink in. We spent our first few days getting lost in the myriad streets of stunning colonial architecture, enjoying mouthwatering food and lingering over long afternoon drinks. Sunset on Marine Drive is not to be missed, and one of the area’s swanky restaurants provided a perfect end to another perfect day. From swanky restaurant to adorable thatched houseboat for two, we spent 3 days url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/india-s-southern-sun-drenched-state-of-kerala-uncovered-cruises-elephants-and-ancient-cures-a6814086.htmlcruising the Keralan backwaters and with nothing to worry about but watching the world go by and enjoying each other’s company, we really were in heaven. We got a real taste for village life as we cruised past families bathing, cooking and... read more

Kerala Day 10-11 House boat day & night!! Next stop Kollam 84km away. So I had booked a beach place later in the trip and saw the owner Babu got awesome reviews on TripAdvisor, so when he told me had a house boat in Kollam and showed me how lovely it was via website I booked it. Alleppey can be very busy/dear to get a house boat so I could see next port Kollam was less hectic where Babu’s boat was, so that was fine by me too. I had also asked the Raheem by email before we got there who they used and that one got brutal reviews online. So you don’t need to be on a house boat any more than 24 hours, I originally thought to book a few nights but that’s not ... read more

Day 13-15 – Hello Hill stations – Spices Babu had yet another man waiting for us 1st thing (7:30am) in one of his (Babu’s) own cars. The car was all decked out with beach towels which we’d find out later why. Sad to say bye to Babu, the boy even hugged him & Babu had a hard day ahead of him as his deceased employee’s parents were coming (we chipped into a fund for them as am guessing no workers insurance for seasonal staff). This was our longest road trip 177km (6000rps) and it was very winding road up the mountains. Both kids puked, although we caught boys in time but the girl was first and got some of the inside of the car – hence the beach towels, d’oh. Think she had 2 goes. After ... read more

The Vivant by Taj – Malabar Coast – Willingdon Is., Cochin Stars: 5 Family suite: Not exactly but suite had living room fold up beds brought into / walk in robe so plenty of room for luggage Wifi: Good/free Car service: Medium price, they tell you of other options too Pool: heated/outdoor Food: Very good / expensive - lunch buffet 1000 rps Service: Butler / Treats to room / Gifts for all on check out Free Extras: Sunset cruise on backwaters/Afternoon tea/Kids biscuit decorate/ Kids post office visit / Gym Spa/Massage on site: Yes The Raheem Residency, Beach Rd., Alleppey Stars: 3 Family suite: No Wifi: Terrible/Free Car service: No Pool: Heated/outdoor Food: Good / medium Service: Standard Free Extras: No Spa/Massa... read more

Day 15-17 –Hill stations – Tea Plantations So the next car, I booked via the hotel for a late morning departure, brought us from Kumily to Chithirapuram (near Munnar) another 83 pot-holey km’s across the mountains. Cue more puking from the girl. It turned out the main mountain road was closed so we really were on the worst back road and it was very winding. The driving was one of the perkier ones we had though and stopped at an altar to give an offering for a safe journey at the beginning of the trip. We came across an elephant walking down the road at one point and also an accident off a motor bike but the driver & pillion seemed ok. So 3 hours later and not a moment too soon we could see our ... read more