17/10/2013

Met Sonia at half 6 in the morning and we took the long drive in the guides car to the elephant place. Was really special seeing and elephant for the first time, as well as touching them as they inquisitively stook out their trunks to smell you. They were so leathery and muscely haha. There was so many of them just dotted around the park in the trees. They were obviously tied up which wasn't that nice. Made you abit guilty that we were funding this. We then walked down to the lake and washed an elephant which was amazing. He lay down in the water with his trunk sticking out to breath. It was mad feeling his big ears lol. Afterwards we walked a little further down when two other elephants were getting washed, a younger one and a really old one. The old one was called Money (ironic) and was apparently 65. Was such a giant animal. Got some great pics and some vids. Afterwards we bought a plate of fruit for 100rs and fed the animals. Watermelon, pineapple, cucumber, and little sugar balls. There was two smaller elephants to feed and a big large one. The two little ones were side by side and when you would go to feed one the other would try to get in on the act and pinch it lol. You could either put it directly into its mouth or just give them it in their trunks and they would pop it their mouth lol. They enjoyed it as much as we did.

Afterwards we drove to the waterfall place but was disappointed to find when we got there the entrance was locked and it was closed. Not sure why, the guide fobbed us off with 'refurbishment' but then later changed his tune to saying someone had drown yesterday. To cut a long story short we didn't get to go in the waterfalls so we decided to pay a bit extra to go to a hill station. The place was called ponmuddy, (defo not spelt right). There was many hair pins to get to the top and the views were stunning. We finally got to the top and had to walk to the very summit. The views were by far the greatest thing I have ever seen, so the biggest expansive of land u go ever imagine. Going on for ever and ever. Made me wanted to go paragliding. Again got some mint pics and videos. When we drove back down we also saw some monkeys, we threw biscuits for them lol. We stopped off for food and got an authentic slap up meal, rice with many little dishes of sauces and other things to try etc. Overall was a really really good trip.

Later on at Shiva all the group congregated in the communal area and had a really good time. It was Marijn and Auke's send off as they didn't want to drink on their last night and be hung over for the trip home. Everyone was in good spirits and enjoyed themselves. We all got chicken noddles rustled up off Jayan. Afterwards we went to Chill Out and sat out the back where there are comfy seats on the floor. Was really really busy and I met lots of new people. There was this mad old cockney guy who looked like a pirate. He said he coulnt believe we were from the same country yet spoke so differently haha.

Later on me Marijn, Auke and Elmer called it a night and went on the hunt for some food. We headed for the cliffs and saw one of the most mind blowing things I have ever seen. The sky was so clear and the moon was perfectly full. Around it though was a perfect gigantic concentric circle of light. Not just around the edge of the shape of the moon, I'm talking spanning across the whole sky. Safe to say none of us knew what was going on and we literally couldn't believe it. We of course took pics. Apparently one of the locals said it happens every three years but I'm not sure how true that is. We bought some chicken pokhara as well as some snickers from a little shop for desert lol and called it a night.

18/10/2013

Awoke feeling slightly rough off the night before, but was nothing the Arabian Sea breeze and a steak breakfast from Hungry Eye Kitchen couldn't fix. Went to the internet café to upload some pics then went back to Shiva and chilled.

19/10/2013

Woke up early to say bye to the two Dutch guys, really gonna miss them as they are two mint lads. Marijn told a story of how he had just been walking down the cliff and all of a sudden a coconut dropped meters before him…. But it didn't betray him! He said he's definitely getting the tattoo now. Hit Hungry Eye Kitchen with Elmer, and Jimmy and Ryan met up with us later. Afterwards we went shopping, Elmer wanted some Ali Babas, the real hippy pants with the massive crotch sagging down. They're meant to be really comfy but its defo a tourist thing, you would never see a local wear them. Afterwards the group all bought a bespoke shirt with elephants on. I decided to see what they would look like tomorrow before deciding if I wanted one. Haha some local also saw my sunderland top with the sponsor Invest in Africa on the front and said 'invest in africa? I don't think that is such a good idea'. Haha was so random.

Caught a really bad cold on the night, think I didn't dry my self down enough when coming out of the sea, it was windy in the restaurant balcony too, but I still had my top off. Sunderland got beat 4-0 on the night as well.

20/10/2013

Woke up to rain and felt like death. Never felt this ill in years. Had the worst night sleep ever, headaches, pain behind eyes, stomach cramp, diarrhea. Said bye to CK and Anuup, definitely two of the canniest lads ive met so far, very intelligent guys. I promised them I would meet up with them in Bangalore. Haha a new couple also checked in, and the dude recognized my Serious Andes jumper lol. Had a nap later on and when I woke I couldn't find the lads so instead I just went out with Angela, an Italian lass. Had the longest wait for our food ever, probs about 1 and half hours. If it wasn't for the beatles soundtrack in the background I would have stormed out. Food was delicious though, even though I didn't have much because I was still ill. The stray dogs also went crazy on the night, and howled non stop. Ironically a tourist on the beach last week approached me asking me if I would donate to a dogs charity, which would help give the strays a better life. Haha could honestly not think of a pointless charity in India…

21/10/2013

Said bye to Elmer and Ryan, who were moving up the beach to do some volunteering at a homestay, 8 wonders. They're just starting out and are in the process of opening. Jimmy also left but was apparently gonna return in 2 days time. Met up with Sonia and spent all day with her. Got drinks, got snacks, went back to hers and chilled. Was a real nice day.

22/10/2013

Woke up to find Jimmy at Shiva. Turns out it wasn't his thing and he came back after day 1. Later he gave me a lift on his motorbike to the cash machine, and we wet to the pet shop to bye some treats for the new puppy at Shiva. Met up with sonia later and we went into Varkala to buy a sari for the wedding she was attending in Dehli. She tried a few on but eventually found one she liked. Afterwards we found a tailors and we left it to get fitted. Later on we bumped into Elmer and Ryan at the Cliffs, they came back to get some food etc. Went to the beach, was a really nice day. Went to Kerala Kafe on the night for food.

23/10/2013

Woke up and packed and sorted all my room. Caned some wifi and listened to some music. Got my last ever steak breakfast for the cliffs haha. Settled up the bill at Shiva. On the night got food with Aimmy and Anna as well as Chris this polish dude and his English wife who live in Varkala. As always their giant German Shepard was with this. Haha its such a massive dog! So fury. Met up with Sonia afterwards for the last time, just a quick one as she was up at 2am to catch her flight to Dehli. Wasn't sad, but was when I got back. Felt real lonely in my room as I packed the last of my things and looked at my life in one neat little backpack. Guess this is the downside of the traveling, the constant goodbyes, especially when you get really close to someone. Life on the road…. No fixed abode!