KERALA
KERALA
– GOD´S OWN COUNTRY
Fort Kochi Kerala in India. Here I was in this enchanting paradise, which was my very first stop in this intoxicating country. Kerala has a magical unsurpassable beauty which after all these years, still takes my breath away and leaves me speechless. Situated in the south of India on the Malabar coast Kerala boasts a tropical climate with palm-shaded beaches and magnificent backwaters.
I spent the first day roaming around the delightful town. I visited the beachfront, and I was spellbound watching the fishermen make their catch using the Chinese fishing nets. After exploring sufficiently for one morning, I decided it was time to take a break. I found a delightful little tea café and made my way inside to savour the delicious Masala Chai tea. Let me mention, that nowhere in this vast world is the tea as tasty as in India.
The terrific thing about being a solo traveller is that you are more open to relating to other people. So much so that I ended up meeting two great people who were also individually backpacking around the world—Martina from South Africa and Chris from the U.S.A. Within minutes we were chatting like old mates. They were such fun; I joined them to visit the Jewish quarter, the spice shops and art galleries. After an incredible afternoon, I agreed to meet Martina the following day and go on a tour with her. A young man who was working in the reception at her guest house had arranged everything for her,
The Fishermen in Fort Kochi Kerala
On the Backwaters of Kerala
The unbelievable tea plantations in Munnar
Having fun with the beautiful elephants
The very next morning, as agreed with Martina. I made my way to her hostel and met Clyde, our extremely handsome tour guide. OMG! When I say he was handsome, that is positively an understatement. He had the looks of what I call A mantelpiece man. To clarify the meaning: – You could sit him on your mantelpiece and spend the rest of your life gazing at this splendid specimen of the male species! Oops, sorry! I am getting side-tracked. To continue, Clyde’s friend Abhijat, joined us, and off we set
Our first stop was as a very Indian little shanty bar where we had Chai, Chapatti and Lentil Dahl, and it was just delicious.
After our mouth-watering breakfast, the boys took to see the elephants bathing in the river. , without a doubt, This was one of those very momentous occasions on my travels. To see these magnificent creatures frolicking around in the water was mind-altering. The babies (better known as calves) laying there in the water as we splashed them and gave them gentle massages was something I will never forget. That day, even more than ever before, I came away with total respect for every living creature on this earth.
The next port of call was the most spectacular of all the waterfalls in Kerala, The Athirappilly falls. It is a prominent place for Indian and foreign tourists, but even so, I would nevertheless recommend that you go there as it is positively magnificent. On arrival, yet again another one of Clyde’s friends named Akash. As the boys knew the place very well, instead of following the flow of visitors, they took us to an area directly facing the falls where we could swim and enjoy the breath-taking views and the fauna. Too soon we had to leave because as we well know, all good things come to an end.
I reluctantly bid a sad farewell to all the boys and Martina. I returned to my hostel to relate the day’s events to the brothers who ran my fab hostel.
Today they are one of the most respected Ethnic rock bands in the whole country. How cool is that! So much for me wanting him as my mantelpiece man! Come to think of it I do not even have a confounded mantelpiece.
Life is full of ups and downs. But Oh gee whiz, when it is on an up, who cares about the downs.