Monday 18 AprilWe set off from Coonor heading Mudumali - the Jungle Retreat which would be our home for the next two nights.We wound our way back down the mountain but not on the same road, passing many Tea Plantations - some when the ladies were picking tea. Thank goodness I'm not a tea picker it looks seriously hard work! We stopped at a very interesting rural village that was preparing for a festival and took some photos. Soon after we headed thru a national ...

We set off early for Coonor, a drive that would take about 8 hours on driving on some fairly harrowing roads of South India!! After a few hours and a lunch that will not be remembered for speed or efficiency we started to head up in to the hills. Winding and winding our way up and up, crazy truck and bus drivers overtaking on blind corners with steep ravines on my side!! Often the whole bus would collectively gasp at yet another close call with an oncoming truck...

Thursday 14 AprilLol!! We love this place .. might be how grand it is,might be the food probably the pool helps .. it's just wonderful really!! This morning Justine, Rosie, Jenny and I headed off first by Tuk Tuk then ferry to Cochin to go shopping! We went to Soma first where the owner greeted me like a favorite relative .. I'm pretty sure she was rubbing her hands together at the $$$ me and my friends would give her ... again!!! Yes we did make her happy to be...

WednesdayWe alighted the luxurious houseboat and stepped straight on to the path leading to the Emerald Isle home stay - a beautiful farm home stay - 150 years old and run by the indian decedents of the original owner. The home is made from the most beautiful dark teak and looks very oriental in design. The bedrooms are to die for ... absolute luxury!!! Meals are included - fantastic local cuisine ..I think I have some serious work to do at the gym when I get h...

Sunday 10 April 2011 We set off from the luxurious Tea Bungalow for the fishing village of Mararikulam -about 56km south of Kochi! Interesting drive thru rural Southern India - more comfortable if u don't look out the front window and watch the on coming traffic!! After an hour or so we arrived at the Fishermans Village Resort .... and realized we had plummeted from the lofty heights of the Tea Bungalow!!! We changed rooms three times until Sabbie settled...