Living the exotic India dream

The last week here in Kerala, I'd have to say, has been something of a tourist dream come true in many ways. I wouldn't call myself a tourist but I think if I were one, I would be spending the last few days in paradice.

It started in Kochi...we went to the old Portugese area of town. We walked around, saw the sun setting between the old Chinese fishing nets and then went to see the traditional Kathakali dance of Kerala...I don't know how to describe it except imagine elaborately painted faces, large dresses and costumes that stick out far, and lots of sounds and hand gestures (there's not talking). And awesome drumming and singing!

Then, we headed for the hills to the tea plantations of Munnar. Ever see tea plantations? Well they're pretty cool...green pillows on steep slopes. There we stayed in a small house and went cycling. At night the tea hills were dotted with fireflies...and the sounds we could here for once...silence and the chirrping of frogs...ah!

Then we moved on to Kumily/Thekkadi...another town in the hills. The Cardamon hills to be exact...Cardamon is apprently quite picky about where it grows...so lots of spices everywhere...growing, harvesting, eating...mmmm. Talk about "land of spice" stereotype. Great stuff.

And at this place there is a large nature reserve...for the 40 or so tigers left in India. But we had a very "bang for your buck" experience. We saw several herds of wild elephants, wild boar, bison herds, deer herds, foxes, otter, turtles...etc. all in a few hours on a boat. We also went hiking but all we really saw on that trip was the infamous forest leech.....and unfortunately I got my first leech-sucking experience. ugh! nasty little buggers!

Anyway, we had a few more peaceful nights there and are not back on the coast. Today we took a local boat up the small canals here going past small villages, shrimp farms and coconut plantations...definitely also a tourists' dream! Tomorrow and 8hr cruise to Alleppy. Yep "life is but a dream" :)