to see our photos of Kumily, Kochi and Kannur, click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009141&id=1112916442&l=8d0e2282b5
Kumily is adjacent to the Periyar National Park, so we got up early and took the 7am boat trip on the dam there. This is the best chance of seeing wildlife, and we did see some elephants in the distance, some bison by the water, wild pigs and a few birds. It was a pleasant 2 hours on the water. Then we were convinced to do a "Cloud walk". This meant we were driven by autorickshaw up a hill until it was too steep for the rickshaw, and then we hiked about an hour to the top. I retired about halfway up the hill, no view was worth the climb. Peter and the guide walked to the top. The view was quite nice, but didn't compare with the views in Munnar. We then went back to our accommodation and lazed around talking to tourists and drinking tea.
Periyar is on the main tourist trail, and is very nice, but Munnar is spectacular!!!
The next day we then took a bus down to Kochi, and went out to Fort Cochin, the main tourist area.
Went to a Kathakali concert - this is where they have elaborate makeup, and very stylised dancing, much of which is eye movements. Interesting to see once. Came home past the Catholic cathedral - all lit up and decorated Indian style.
Fort Cochin is quite touristy, so we had french toast with fruit, and coffee for breakfast at an art cafe. It was the first place we have been that could be relocated in Australia. We then toured the sights, the Jain temple, Dutch palace, Jewish synagogue (Peter not allowed as he was wearing shorts). That afternoon, visited the rest of the sights, Dutch cemetary, the old fort, and finished up at the beach. Half of the population of Kochi seemed to be at the beach, waiting for the sunset. Although the beach faces west, they rarely see a sunset over the water horizon as there are usually too many clouds over it. The folks were all dressed up in their finery, the cows were chewing their cud in the middle of it, children were trying to fly kites. We were as big an attraction to them as they were to us.
The next day saw us on our first train ride - to Kannur in the north of Kerala. We had booked seats in an Air-conditioned coach. Very relaxed trip - progressed about 50km an hour, and the best thing about the train is that it had a toilet (always a problem on long bus trips).
In Kannur we stayed at the Mascot Beach hotel, which had been grand in its day, but was in need of some serious maintenance. But it was on the cliff overlooking the water, and our room had water views, so we are not complaining. Each evening they set up the tables and chairs on the walled cliff walk, and we dined in style.
Kannur is the location where they had the only Muslim king, and the area is still very Muslim. Not a beer in sight, even at the hotel. decided not to have the local alcoholic poison (toddy) which can send you blind.
Also very little English spoken. About a dozen european tourists staying at the hotel, as they run Aruyedic massage courses there. We decided we should finally try one, so were oiled from head to toe for an hour. It seemed more a circulation massage, but was not unpleasant and I am sure is good for the skin. Difficult to stay on the table when you are greased from head to toe.
We had an outing to the river about 20km north of town, to the Hindu temple on the river and saw a Theyyam performance there. Also visited the local snake farm (snakes ok, but it was also a sort of zoo, including a "persian cat"). Like all zoos in Asia, it was better left alone. Also did a 1 hour trip on the river amongst the coconut plantations to kill some time between the snake farm and the theyyam.
Then it was time for another night bus ride, this time back to Mysore, for the Dasara festival. The road was atrocious, and we got to Mysore at 4am.
to see our photos of Kumily, Kochi and Kannur, click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009141&id=1112916442&l=8d0e2282b5
