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Hello from India!
So from Bangkok (where I was a poorly girl) we flew to Mumbai via Singapore.A long 7 hours wait at the airport there, but what better place to be occupied with lots of available distractions - pharmacies for sick people (phew!) and a cinema - cheers!
Arrived in Mumbai in the small hours, rat spotted on our street and then hit the sack for the night to tackle the place refreshed the next day.What a bonkers but also great place…. The traffic is non stop with the beeping / horn sounds even more incessant… Lots of people, cars, mopeds, rickshaws, shouting - all sorts.We took in the main attractions - Gateway of India, Vitoria Terminal (train station - really impressive building) and other such stuff.Also walked around the High Courts which was so interesting for the people watching, inviting smiles and waves, and witnessing the reams and reams of paperwork - seems to be a common theme here.Watched afternoon cricket being played by seemingly hundreds of people on the grounds of the Oval Maiden (park area in the centre of the city) - the game really is big stuff here.
We were lucky enough to meet with some work friends over in Mumbai too who hosted us for the day and took us to lunch at one of their clubs - like a slice of colonial India in a teacup… breezy cool terrace with fans, lovely food, even a glass of white wine!How sophisticated.Although you see all the contrasts here, as we then went on to see 'dhobi ghat' which is a huge open air laundry system, right next to the tracks of the railway - incredible……(photos will be on my facebook page if I can upload them successfully).Also squeezed in a quick visit to Baan Ganga which story has it is said to be from a source of the Ganges… a very tranquil place of prayers and religious practices…. A slice of peace in the city.
From Mumbai we flew down to Goa and headed to Palolem, one of the southern Goan beaches.GORGEOUS.4 days of uninterrupted sunshine and cloudless blue skies…. Hot, hot, hot.Stayed at the lovely Ordo Sounsar which is located right at the end of the buzzy beach, so nicely secluded and peaceful.You had to tackle their rather rickety looking drawbridge to get to it, I was a little unsure it would take the weight of 4 months of indulgence Lozzer weight plus my rucksack…. But I didn't land in the water, so all was good.We had the most amazing fresh fish, lovely chilled out evenings in the cool open air bar area, and lazy days on the beach reading, dipping into the sea and not a lot else….
From Goa we took an all day train down to Kochi which is where we are right now.The train journey really was a travel experience in itself, early start at the busy, bustly and slightly mad station at Goa, having to check our names on the print out list of travelers to seats - what a paperwork and organizational feat the whole train system is - it is amazing!On board we were in a 6 seat berth with the most friendly elderly Keralan couple who helped us find the seats and then took it upon themselves to translate and help us order from the myriad of food options that presented themselves every 2 minutes through the carriage….. there was a constant shout of 'chai' from the chai-wallahs and all sorts of other delectable treats (?!) to pick up.Illness wasn't on the menu - we emerged from the eating experience ok, phew!Paul's highlight of the journey was hanging from the open door and taking photos… boys!
We are staying in a lovely homestay in Kochi, run by an accountant and teacher, so friendly and really helpful.The town has some beautiful colonial buildings, stunning looking guesthouses/hotels and the well known Chinese fishing nets which hang over the water.It is really hot here… we are off to Munnar tomorrow to see tea plantations and hopefully it will be a touch cooler at that altitude… can't believe I'm wishing for cooler weather, come the end of next month I will be willing to be back in the hot hot sun!
Well, until our next Indian update, hope all is good at home and everyone is well.
Much love, L&P xxx
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