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Ok so have finally got round to kicking off my blog. Only six weeks late! So very brief round up so far, have covered thousands of miles already using various forms of transport.
So my adventures began on 28th Nov at a windy, wet Heathrow airport where I bid goodbye to Ma and Pa and boarded my Ethiad flight to Singapore. I would just like to say Eithad have an extremely good film selection and very agreeable red wine however their glamour is no rival to the Kingfisher air hostesses.
Arrived into a nice warm Singapore at 11pm to be greeted by a host of Christmas lights and snowmen. This theme continued throughout the city with the best set of lights on Orchard road I have every seen. Did lots of walking around taking in the sights, very different from the Asia I had previously experienced (Crazy Delhi). Visited the botanical gardens and the rip off night Safari all in all a good couple of days.
Next stop, Malaka, Malaysia. Nice enough city, full of western style mega malls but also a atomospheric Chinatown. Had my first fish spa, interesting experience! Had the most amazing Satay meal. A little taster of Malaysia although I think I needed to see more to fully appreciate it's appeal. Anyway left at midnight to catch the airport bus to KL and return to India!
Arrived in Kerala just in time for breakfast and headed straight to the beach town of Varkala perched high on the rocky cliffs. Just driving from the airport I could feel the already the differences between Delhi and north India and the more tropical South. Varkala was a nice place to chill out and adjust back to life in India, all set back in the coconut grooves with a nice laid back vibe and the chance to finally swim in the Indian Ocean. Alcohol drinking in Kerala in all very under wraps, beer has to be disguised with the bottles kept under the table and drank out of mugs as if it is tea. Regular backhanders to the police help keep the restaurant owners out of trouble. While there I also tried my first bit of yoga (bar one class with my housemates in Shef in which my bad moves got laughed at the whole session)… I learnt I have bad balance and zero flexibility. This will have to be worked on across India!
Moving on from Varkala I took my first India train (not nearly as bad as I was fearing) up to Allappey on the famous Keralan backwaters. Borrowed a bike and attempted to negotiate the Indian traffic by biking down to the beach. Here I got talking to the local lifeguard Anil who took me back to his house for a lunch of fresh fish caught off his canoe that morning and loving prepared by his mother and sister. Very good food!
The next day took a boat out on the backwaters with Paddy and Ruth and gained a husband for the day, our guide obviously took a liking to my blonde hair and I made the mistake of telling him I was unmarried. Cue many funny photos. Backwater were stunning although in a funny way reminded me of a tropical Norfolk broads, with a lot better weather and many coconuts!
Next headed up the coast to Cochin, for the three of us on the train it cost a total of 30p, bargain! Cochin was a nice place to hang for a few days, a former Dutch colony had a very European feel about it. Saw the famous fishing nets and took a tuk tuk tour around to see the amazing spice markets and various palaces, churches etc.
As an avid tea drinker I decided I couldn't pass the opportunity to visit the Indian tea plantations so boarded the local bus to Munnar. Five hours later after a stunning journey up into the Keralan Ghats arrived in the little town of Munnar, surrounded by the luscious green tea plants.
More to follow….
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