SW19MIKE

11am Monday 8th March, and the car arrived at the hotel to take us to Hampi. A bit like the 'jeep' in Wayanad, in other words the Indian equivalent of a Vauxhall Corsa. We got three of the backpacks on the roof-rack, and the fourth in the boot. We all squeezed in, and off we went. I was a bit nervous, because the driver wasn't very good. He had no idea of anticipating, he just drove straight at stationary traffic, then slammed on his brakes at the last moment. And when he wanted to overtake, he changed into fifth gear - not ideal! After about 50km, the car was getting a bit erratic, and he pulled up, got out, and kicked one of the rear tyres a couple of times. He seemed to think that had ... read more

So, Saturday morning, up at about 6:30am. Great coffee waiting for us, and some filling food to sustain us on the climb. About 7:15, our 'jeep' arrived. Actually, it was the Indian equivalent of a Vauxhall Corsa! But we all fitted in, even with the big lunch and huge bag of bananas and bottles of water provided. (A word about the water. On our first night, we were interested to be given a jug of liquid, and when we poured it into our glasses, it was a faint rosy colour, so we expected some form of fruit, Actually, it was quite warm, and it tasted part medicinal, part chemical, so we assumed it had been treated with something; it would have been an acquired taste, if you had the inclination to acquire it! It was only ... read more

On Johnson's recommendation, we had arranged to go up into the mountain range that forms the backbone of Southern India. We needed to catch a train from Ernakulam station, and we were planning to catch the same train as an Irish couple who were also going to the same farm as us, and were catching the train from Allepey. I checked with the tourist office in Fort Kochi about getting to Ernakulam station, and she told me the bus from Fort Kochi went to the station. So next morning (Thursday), we went off to the bus stand. When I asked the conducter for 2 tickets to Ernakulam station, he replied ... 'which station. There are two!'. Thanks, Mrs Tourist Office, for being so helpful!. I professed I didn't know, so the conducter asked where we were ... read more

We had our last delicious fruit and yogurt breakfast in the garden at Odayam, and got the bill. Including a few tuktuk trips to and from town, and three breakfasts, it worked out at about £4 per night each. Can't blame the Italians for staying on! But we have places to go, things to see. We got Shah, the tuktuk driver to take us to the station, where I bought the tickets to Allepey. 30% discount for being so old! We had allowed plenty of time, as you are never sure about timings in India. So we trotted over the road where there is a nice little tea stall/cafe. When I saw the locals eating breakfast, there was no way I could resist. So we sat down at a table, with some locals, and ordered chai, ... read more

Our first night in Kovalam was fine. But after a most unusual breakfast of boiled eggs, a pot of filter coffee, and toast made from the brown bread baked at the restaurant at 5 o'clock every morning, we went off to explore. And found at the very end of the beach, just before the lighthouse, the Sea Flower hotel, where we negotiated the nightly rate down from 1200 to 850 rupees for 3 nights. So back to Ravi's, the first hotel, and told the somewhat disconsolate owner we were moving on. And this we did - we don't put down roots these days! A fabulous room, light and airy, with a big clean bathroom, and a balcony which almost got sprayed from the bigger waves. Step out of the hotel door, and straight onto this wonderful ... read more