Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!! ( my oldest son!)
I slept well, despite the fear of cockroaches crawling over me. I was done with the service, and assumed that water was cold ( confirmed by the honeymoon couples!!) so I just packed to leave asap, the dead cockroach still on the table! The boat was still in dock next to all the other boats. The other couples were not impressed with the service either, but still into pics. I became the honeymoon assistant photographer, and took lots of pics of them. They knew exactly what poses they wanted! Rather fun! We had breakfast, Idli, which is a rice cake, with coconut sauce and a chutney.One of the ladies buttered me toast and jam!! I am having trouble with spicy foods, and will try to curtail this in Coonoor. The captain got going, and I took pics along the way. The Indian love for hooting their houseboat horns, matches the hooting on the congested roads everywhere else. Even the houseboat channels are congested. Lots of different boats, and motor boats, canoes loaded with coconuts. People were washing in the freshwater, young guys swimming, and it was not long before we reached Alleppey. To exit the houseboat, you go on a ladder through two other boats, moored together. I took pics of the two couples, the captain, and the cook ( both in Dhotis ) and left. I found my driver, and we were off on the road to Coimbatore, and the destination is Karumba Village, a hotel in the mountains. We won’t get there till at least 6 pm. I took pics of two trucks taking an elephant in the back to a Hindu Festival. Of course, Ganesh is the most revered Hindu God. My driver has a small elephant on this dash. My mission today is to buy a Todi….no idea of the spelling, but it is a coconut beer, only available in Kerala. Wish me luck!! It is a hot day to do a long journey by road.
Ok…we visited a bar, and I asked for Toddy, and got a non alcoholic coconut drink, healthy and nice. Very well behaved patrons, I have to say. Then further on, Rajesh stopped at a real Toddy store…I have the pics. I tried Palm Beer, and Coconut beer. ( both alcoholic). Rajesh assured me that it was hygienic. Well, I did not care for either, I’m sorry to say. Took pics, and left, but it was fun for the very local bar patrons to meet a foreigner, and me to meet them.
A note on those who drive on the wrong side of the road. This is common in India. We are on a double carriageway, but a scooter was in our lane coming towards us. No-one really cares!!!!!
We went by various Christian churches….Indo Christian churches. There are mosque like features in the architecture. Also, Hindus love shrines. I noticed Christian shrines too, with a cross as the idol. All this has metal bars to prevent damage. Traditionally Hindus don’t worship broken idols: their history is full of amazing idols that were partly destroyed by marauders. I have seen the partly destroyed statues in other provinces.
This is my first road blog!! We just stopped at Tamil Nadu province border to register me. I am no longer in Kerala!! We are gradually climbing into the mountains, and are close to Coimbatore.
The trip was tiring but the driver was good. Roads very busy, and it is always quite dangerous. We passed a guy with the biggest load on a scooter I have ever seen. You have to see this pic. We got to Karumba Village after 7...a 10 hour road trip, but we did stop for lunch. The road was hairpin bends up into the mountains. We are close to Coonoor, where I will be for most of my time in Tamil Nadu. The descent to the hotel was scary, as the hotel is located on the downward slopes of the mountain. I was very tired, but what a treat to be here: lovely place, lovely accommodation, great meal tonight. This I will enjoy....took a refreshing hot shower before dinner. Looking forward to my 8 AM walk tomorrow into the mountains with a guide.
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