Steamy South

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It's been fairly quiet here at team Chris and Alice.
We made our way from the heat of Mysore, the traditional home of one of the most powerful rulers of Southern India (and the Indian Food science and technology college, they wouldn't let me in on the weekend!) to Ooty. In the Nilligiri Hills to the south. This was a welcome release from the heat as Ooty is a little over 2000m above sea level, not really enough to make you gasp for air, but enough to take the kick out of the heat.
On the first day, celebrating the mid twenties temperature we walked the 6km or so around the local lake, sitting in the sun on a deserted pathway reading and enjoying being outside without frying. After a walk past our hostel (the Young Womens' Christian Association of all places) and lunch and our final return we were tired but pleased at stretching our legs for the first time in a couple of weeks. How shall i word it? Alice had taken on the colour of a ripe tomato (underestimating the heat and UV radiating in the elevated town). We spend the next few days up to our eyeballs in suncream enjoying the tea covered hills. We even had opportunity to take a Unesco world heritage accredited train through the rolling hills and plantations to the local town of Coonoor, where we were ferried around the local sights, views and monkey hang-outs (Chris was pounced on by a fairly large monkey in persuit of the crisp packet in his back pocket, scaring the living be-jesus out of alice).
After a 12 hour (1 1/2 before we even left Ooty) journey in a clapped out old bus we arrived in Kodai at the grimmest hotel room yet. A bed in a bare room, squat toilet and no shower. Alice was so annoyed I wanted to write to the lonely planet to complain (I was not in a good mood). However, waking up in the morning to birdsong instead of car horns it turned out we had a private view of the valley below with wisps of cloud floating in amongst the trees, we realised there were compensations for the low standard of room and stayed. Kodai turned out to be a lovely little town which was easy to walk around. Unfortunately, it was Alice's turn to get a stomach bug so we didn't do much more than potter into town, walk round the lake and watch the view from our veranda, playing guitar and reading books.
Then we made the less traumatic, although over night, bus trip to Kochin, away from the hills and on the coast.
Settled first by the Portugease, then the Dutch, Jews and finally the British the architecture and atmosphere is far more European than anywhere else we've been. This European air, plus the constant tropical climate and interesting mish-mash of heritage means it's a tourist mecca compared to many of the towns we've been to up to and including dottering old Japanese couples bright eyed and squeaky clean off the collosal cruise ships pulling up in the harbor.
What the town has in history and ambiance it lacks in activities (if i can be allowed to twist a saying) so we've been pottering from the beach front to the cafes (something more or less non-existent in the non-touristed areas) and trying to acclimatise to the sweltering heat and humidity.
Next stop is the kerelan backwaters, one of the high-lights of any trip to India apparently and from there to one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
Our feelings towards India remain pretty luke-warm to be honest-but we've far from given up on the place.
One day we'll sort out some photos...

Chris & Alice

PS Happy birthday Richard!! And happy mothering Sunday to all those concerned!

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Comments

[Ellie Best]

Indian Ambiguity
Hey guys, Just read all of these entries on one go - glad to hear that you seem to have got off lightly with acclimatising to India, and that nothing horrible has happened to you! My advice - do everything you have to do in South and mid India and then head North as soon as you can! It seems to be a lot milder weather wise and a lot more amenable to Westerners up there.... The culture is more accessible as are the 'tourist attractions' and you will be able to learn/ experience a lot more up there by just being around - it seems like you've had to be quite proactive so far. Thinking if you lots back here, I have a fab new job which starts in 5 weeks and Harry is looking for a new post too. I've finally found Zark a new home, which means I can start saving for my own equine-based adventures. Lots of love Ellie