May 10, 2009 - Trivandrum to Kanyakumari

Welcome to the last entry of our nearly 2 1/2 months in India! We spent two nights in Trivandrum, where John's in-laws live. ... So these are Preethi's parents in Trivandrum. ... We drove from Trivandrum, passing the beautiful beach at Kovalim, seeing an interesting mix of tourists with local fishermen. ...

May 8, 2009 - Thiruvella and Kerala backwater cruise

As so much of Kerala's geography involves water - a brackish fresh/salt water combo that varies depending on the tides and the season - a major Kerala hi-light is a boat tour or cruise through the backwaters.As so much of Kerala's geography involves water - a brackish fresh/salt water combo that varies depending on the tides and the season - a major Kerala hi-light is a boat tour or cruise through the backwaters....

May 5, 2009 - Kochi (Cochin) - Kathakali performance

We had the chance to see a Kathakali performance while in Fort Cochin - an Indian dance/drama which originated in Kerala. ... The performers (all male) act out scenes relating to the Hindu gods, with very precise movements and exaggerated facial expressions.We had the chance to see a Kathakali performance while in Fort Cochin - an Indian dance/drama which originated in Kerala. ... The performers (all male) act out scenes relating to the Hindu gods, with very precise movements and exaggerated facial expressions....

May 4, 2009 - Cochin, India

Kochi (Cochin) was one of our favorite Indian cities. ... It is the commercial capital of Kerala, and has a population of about 2 million.Kochi (Cochin) was one of our favorite Indian cities. ... It is the commercial capital of Kerala, and has a population of about 2 million....

Apr 27, 2009 - Cochin,India

After four very lazy and relaxing days at sea , we arrived in Cochin at 6:30 this morning . ... Cochin has a small Jewish community who are descendants from settlers who fled Palestine centuries ago. ... Our main tour was on a small boat to explore the canals of Cochin . ...

Apr 6, 2009 - Beach Day in Varkala

It is around 10 at night, and i'm writing today's entry from the comfort of an air conditioned internet cafe here in Varkala. ... Varkala’s tourist season unofficially ended around the beginning of April, and although the European tourists still seem to be here in force, shops, restaurants and other businesses appear to slowly be winding down for the season. ... By the late afternoon, Varkala's stifling heat and humidity began to give way to cooler temperatures and some semblance of a breeze, and I once again ventured down to the beach. ...

Apr 5, 2009 - Day Trip to Trivandrum

I had intended to catch the train from Varkala to Thiruvanthapuram (which I shall hereafter refer to by its English name “Trivandrum”, mainly as I can’t even come close to pronouncing its Keralan name), but decided instead to take the bus upon learning that the next train to Trivandrum would not depart for some 2 hours. ... I had to change buses in the town of Kallamballam, a town about 40 minutes drive outside of Trivandrum, but the trip proceeded very smoothly. ... Immediately after arriving at Trivandrum’s bus station, I stopped next door at the Indian Coffee House for lunch. ... Development of the surrounding area in Trivandrum has completely erased any external signs of the palace’s existence. ...

Apr 4, 2009 - Drive from Alappuzha to Beach Town of Varkala

org/wiki/Varkala" target="_blank">Varkala, also in Jump to full entry

Apr 3, 2009 - Overnight Boat Cruise in Kerala's Backwaters

It is around 10 at night, and i'm sitting on the couch in the communal area on our rented houseboat here in Kerala's backwaters sipping a Kingfisher. Today we drove from Kochi to Alappuzha, the main port for Kerela’s backwater region consisting of hundreds of kilometers of canals and waterways through small villages. ... The area comprising Kerala’s backwaters, known as Jump to full entry

Apr 2, 2009 - Visit to Majarajah's Hill Palace in Thripunitra

Braving the sweltering humidity, today I hopped in an auto rickshaw and took a ride out of Ernakulam, the part of Kochi where I am staying, to the nearby town of Thripunitra. Braving the sweltering humidity, today I hopped in an auto rickshaw and took a ride out of Ernakulam, the part of Kochi where I am staying, to the nearby town of Thripunitra....

Apr 1, 2009 - Visit to Mattancherry & Fort Cochin in Kochi

This morning I started out with the group from my overland tour on a boat cruise to both Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, but I left the group at our first stop in Mattancherry as the tour only allocated a stop there of less than an hour, which seemed to me an insufficient time to check out the sights there. ... After my visit to Jew Town I hopped in an auto rickshaw and drove over to nearby Fort Cochin, which is Kochi's historical quarter and its main tourist attraction. ... Having been ruled at various times by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, Fort Cochin's streets and architecture reflect its varied colonial heritage. ... Fort Cochin's best known site is the series of giant fishing nets which line its shore. ... These nets are Fort Cochin's signature landmark. ...

Mar 31, 2009 - En Route to Kerala

It is around 9 in the evening, and i'm writing this entry from my hotel room here in Kerala.It is around 9 in the evening, and i'm writing this entry from my hotel room here in Kerala....