61. THE BACKWATERS OF KERALA

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Devon Hills tea plantation and hill resort, Munnar. Cool!

 

Old Jewish Quarter in Cochin

Just when I had decided to give India a temporary break, a chance to tour Kerala came up. It was a India I did'nt expect - lush and green, quiet and relaxed. Anyone visiting India the very first time and is not quite ready for the place, really should start with Kerala or Goa and slowly ease into the country...

Cantilevered nets, introduced by Chinese settlers so long ago, still being used today...

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady

A typical houseboat. Unlike those enormous ones in Kashmir that don't sail, those in Kerala take you for rides. They moor along the banks and passengers just hop across or walk a short plank...

Cochin is full of old churches - of Catholic Portuguese, Dutch, Syrian Orthodox, French, English Protestant and Jewish synagogues... It was a change of scenery from the many Hindu temples elsewhere in South India. I enjoyed the diversity...

      

The backwaters in Kumarakom are really clean considering the large number of people who live by the water's edge. The water taxis and houseboats could have contributed to a serious pollution problem but it was not so. Wisely, they left the water hyacinth alone to go forth and multiply. Kerala folks are proud of their high literacy and it shows, in the management of their living environment and their people's behaviour. The State is under a communist government but it's no North Korea.

We did feel like Cleopatra lounging in our houseboat attended to by 3 crew who served us hand and foot. So decadent - we deserve this, we've earned it....!

Sunset from our houseboat. Communing with Mother Nature is peace and bliss.

The aptly named Lighthouse Beach in Trivandrum. The pounding of waves against rocks actually lulled me into deep slumber... 

Tree Hugger - could never resist majestic old trees. India has so very many and they appear to value and appreciate them.

O majestic old trees...

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways...

I love thee till the 12th of never...

Till Hell freezes over...!

Haha! see how they inspire me to turn poetic!

Kerala marks my 10th foray into India.

60. ISLAND HOPPING

My first V-Day bouquet in years! In time for Chinese Lunar New Year too...

Doggie got in on the act in his Chinese New Year best - he's family...

Not one for sun, sea and sand, within a space of 3 weeks, I found myself on 3 islands/resorts in 3 countries becoming a darker shade of brown and lots of sandfly bites to show for it....don't think I'll do this again anytime soon...