Cochin

After the relaxing time on the boat, we headed again for a big city: Cochin, Ernakulam.

  The Indians are really busy and it's always interesting to visit the market places.

Houseboat trip from Kollam to Alleppey

We decided to make ourselves a present and did a two days houseboat trip from Kollam to Alleppey. As it is really a touristic thing, one pays for it. But it was worth it: we had two days of almost only sitting or lying around, watching and eating. Here you can see our captain and boat, and the lovely views we had.

 

Of course we also did some short land trips. A woman from a village showed us how they do their traditional ropes by spinning coconut fibres.  

Coconut fibre moustache

 

The landscape was really enjoyable.

We also did a trip by a small canoe to the smaller canals. We left our houseboat behind and gave us into the hands of a crazy-funny guide.

The nights we landed. The second night we made a short discovery trip and met nice village-people.

 

All in all we just had a great time. Especially the crew (three men) was really nice, generous and helpful. The cook was our hero – we really ate a lot! 

Varkala

After Kumuly we headed for Vakala: Beach time!! We took the bus and had a lovely journey through the the land of Kerala. It's full of palm-trees and other green and exotic plants. Varkala itself and Kerala are way more touristic than Tamil Nadu. This is quiet a change for us. But on the other hand it's just beautiful here!

 It's the first time for us at the Arabic Sea. It's pretty wild and has strong currents. We do it like all Indians: No swimming!!

 Finally some sun and sand between our toes :)

 We found a lovely place to stay and now we have our own bungalow. Plus: it's off-season and pretty cheap!!
Adrian and Eva's bungalow...

Our bungalow...

 The view from Odayam-Beach.

Next thing we do: Houseboat-Trip on the back-waters :)

Kumuly

After 2000m altitude, we vistied Kumuly at only 1500m altitude ;) The temple visiting time is over (for the moment). In Kerala the landscape is green and the adventures are close. We started our fist day in Kerala at a homestay with a lovely family.

 Here you can see where we slept; on the first floor. 

 Mhhhhh, we love the coconuts...

We had fully packed days: we took the chance to spend half a day with elefants. First we had an elefant ride, than we washed them  - it was great, we had a good time!!! :-)

After that we visited a tea plantage with a guidance through the fabric... 

 It's always women collecting and transporting the tea...

 Than we went to a spice farm. Here a really short selection of what we all have seen:

 The pepper plant...

 The passion fruit blossom...

 Rice plants...

 And the jackfruit (it's everywhere).

The next day started at 4:30 a.m. to visit the Periyar Wildlife Santctuary by Jeep and hiking. Our mission: See wild elefants and tigers...

 We also boated...

 Nice views...

 But no elefants and tigers :( only a lot, really a lot of leechies and insects....

Frogs... 

 Monkeys...

What else did we see: Deers, wild giant squirrels, bisons and elefants (but only from really far away, not really satisfying...