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My journey to Kerala began with a 3.5 hour wait in the bus station for a bus that I was told would "be here in a minute". I think the bus conductors do this on purpose just for a laugh!
An hour into the 8 hour journey the bus was heaving! Indian people do not seem to care for personal space, so a seat meant for 2 people inevitably becomes a bed for a whole family - a large family at that!! Another thing about Indian people; they can sleep anywhere! On this journey I discovered they can even sleep with their head and arms on a stranger, in this case me!!
The bus took us through a forest road and as the monsoon rains began I started to become somewhat anxious for my life!! At times the bus was actually hanging off the edge of the mountain-side!! All the windows were closed beacuse of the rain so the bus steamed up with second-hand air pretty quickly - Basically it was like sitting in a steam room filled with breath!!!
Oh well, enough moaning!! Oh except for that fact that when we finally got to our destination (after another bus journey) it was still pouring with rain - Not that I would have minded so much if we hadn't been going there specifically for the "perfect beaches!!"
The next day, rain still persisting, we decided to move on and head to Fort Cochin to the backwaters. Fort Cochin is a small, oldy-worldy town with small streets lined with old buildings, shops and restaurants. We found a nice place to stay at a home-stay in the town - It had clean beds,a working toilet and space to swing a backpack - Truly amazing!!!
The next day we went on our boat trip on the backwaters. The backwaters are basically a network of waterways where water from lakes, rivers, natural canals and the sea meet and connect the coastal towns. The trip started early in the morning on a trditional rice boat. We floated for hours past small villages and people bathing in the river - apparently anyway. I didn't see most of it due to being fast asleep for the better part!!! I couldn't help it!! It was so quiet and peaceful, which is a luxury in India!!
We made a stop off at a couple of the villages where they showed us the vanilla and black pepper plantations and how to make rope out of the hairy bit if a coconut shell (not sure of the technical term!) and had a lovely South Indian meal eaten off a banana leaf - Then back to sleep for me!
The next night was my last night in Kerala before heading back to Goa to discover the south beaches - And Alessandro's last night in India :-( I have to admit I had to hold back the tears when I said goodbye to our very own Mr. Bean - a fantastic travelling partner.
Weirdly that night I bumped into Jusso, the guy from Finland who I'd spent 9 days with in Goa and Gokarna (it's a small world after all!!) so as they say, one door closes, another opens!
So, Kerala done - Next stop Goa..............
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