The area I’m visiting is known as “God’s Own Country”. Miles of lakes and canals cover this district. Boating options range from huge air conditioned overnight sleeper house boats to mid-range six person day tour boats, public transpiration boats used by locals and hand paddled small craft. I was in one of the small hand paddled boats.
Miles of water cover the area and are known as the “backwaters”. It’s a unique way of life!
The biggest challenge was getting my big frame on and off the boat under the shade canopy. Quite a contortion! It was slow. Is was lovely! We got to see and experience a bit of the local life in the area. I’m sure there is a ton more to see in the area but this was sufficient for me! The day started at 8:00 am and we got back after 5:00 pm.
Breakfast and lunch were at the home of the man taking us out on boat. One stop at a local market gave us a break for coconut juice and fried banana which was excellent.
Dinner last night with new friends was great! They found a liquor/wine store and brought back beer. France, Gernamy, India, Switzerland and the US (me) sharing food and stories. Keep in mind that it can take an hour or more to get an order delivered and we were a table of 9. Lovely connection and conversation into the night.
This morning, I woke early. The moment I woke, I knew I didn’t want to travel today. I found the woman who runs this home stay and she told me, by genuine Indian head nod, that I could stay for another night. They had room!
This is perhaps the most relaxing day I’ve had! After breakfast and goodbyes, I put up my hammock and spend hours reading and napping before going for lunch. I did get my laundry done and hung it out first!
I walked only a few hundred meters to the neighboring cafe for some meal variety! They had a vegetarian pasta dish that was perfect!
Once back, I got back into my hammock with fresh lemon juice water and read/slept the rest of the afternoon away.,
It’s the least walking I have done!
Now, awaiting my dinner which I ordered 30 minutes ago, I’m writing this brief story.
Before leaving Kochi, I bought a sim card for my phone. It cost me $330 INR, India Rupee.
Translation: $4.65 US. It gives me 28 days of service which is more than I need. It also provides 1.4 GB per day of data. I might not use 1.5 GB the entire time I have it!
But then, I realized I can use that data for a hot spot to connect my computer. Times, like now, when Wifi isn’t working, I’ll see if I can upload some photo’s and this story!
Tomorrow, I’m going up to Munnar in the Hill Country. It’s higher and cooler. It sounds like bus connections are reliably often and can take up to 8 hours to get there. I’ll know for sure tomorrow evening.
Now, I have two recommendations for home stays up there and will book a room for the first couple nights. I just noticed that not far from there is a Tiger reserve. Perhaps I’ll get lucky and see a tiger while in the area?
Ciao!