Kochi and Back to Chennai

After we left the Chinnar Wildlife Reserve, we headed towards Munnar. We drove through the Western Ghats mountains on very curvy narrow lane roads. We reached about 7,000 feet. The mountains are exceptionally beautiful as we drove through tea farms. Tea grows on low shrubs. The very steep mountain slopes were completely covered with them. The women pick the tea with large baskets strapped on their backs, using both hands to pluck the leaves and put them in the basket. These women appear to be exploited as they are housed in very minimal facilities on the tea farms and probably not paid much. Kumaaran said this is an unfortunate part of the tea business.

We stopped briefly in Munnar to buy some tea, cashews and spices. The tea is sold differently here. It is largely in powdered or crystal form and is boiled in water. It tastes very good.

Early that evening we arrived in Ernakulum. We stayed at the Le Royal guest house owned by Jenny, Jose and their staff. They are the most welcoming, friendly people with the most amazing service and meals. Each dinner consisted of four courses: soup, vegetable and meat curries (Kerala style with coconut milk), a main course (usually seafood), and dessert. Barb felt like her stomach was going to split after each meal. Sure was good though. We will really miss staying here!!

We both spent the next day shopping. Larry got some shirts (for cheap so he is happy!). Barb got some Chirudars (tunic and pants that Indian woman wear with a scarf). It is interesting. You pick out the tunic, then go to the pants/scarf counter where they pull out lots of options to match the tunic. We also bought a few examples of local artwork. We walked for about 6 hours, wandering through streets of the city. We had some wonderful pastries and fruit juice drinks (we stopped twice for those). We had different kinds of mixed fruit (not really sure what was in them) and this yummy lime drink.

We met Liat this evening. She just arrived for her first day in India. She is travelling alone for 6 weeks. She is delightful . She is an actress, and her husband creates sets for opera all around the world. We went with her the next day to Fort Cochin to visit the 1500’s Portugese Palace, a synagogue, 2 churches, and the ancient Chinese fishing nets. We bought a few more spices here as well. We went back to Ernakulum and went to a Kathakali performance that evening. What an amazing art. No words are ever spoken. Very intricate face paint and costumes that weigh 60 pounds. They use facial movements, body muscle contractions, dancing, drumming and other music are used to tell stories that are based on everyday life not any religious belief. Each story is based on a particular moral it is trying to highlight. Normally these would start at 6-8 pm and continue until early the next morning at temples.

Today, November 4th, we flew back to Chennai on Kingfisher Airlines. Very nice. Even for a 1 hour 20 minute flight we got a sandwich and drinks. The flight attendant was very nice and asked us lots of questions about the US and Switzerland (which is her dream place to visit because of the snow and mountains.)
We have two more days. Right now, we are having some down time. Barb and Larry have been trading being sick the last few days. First Larry, now it is Barbara’s turn, so we are catching up on some needed sleep.