What can we say about India so far? Well, hmm our mums always told us that if you can’t say anything nice then you shouldn’t say anything at all. Well I can say the people are nice, and now I (Dan) think that loop hole allows me to vent about what I don’t like. It is so noisy, these people seem to feel they are not getting full value for money out of their vehicles unless they use all it’s components unfortunately this includes the horn, where they appear to feel the most value for money comes from. It is actually quit confusing, on the back of their cars and trucks they have signs saying sound “OK HORN” what is this ok horn and why do they feel it so necessary, a simple thumbs up would add to the piece and quiet no end. And to compound the noise issue it is soooo dirty and polluted. I know what you are thinking “well what did they expect?” honestly we did expect this, but it does not mean we have to enjoy it. It is hard not to miss Africa.
Ok rant over for now. Another big plus is the food, it has been fantastic and plentiful, curried things for breakfast are great. So what have we been up to, we spent the first few days in Bangalore, not really doing much other than making travel arrangements, we did a city tour, which was pretty good the highlight for me was the science museum, which as H pointed out is very dilapidated and strangely ironic for India’s technology capital. We left Bangalore on a sleeper train destined for Cochin, not exactly the ride of a life time, we lucked out by getting one of the very old trains which came with a complementary mouse. In spite of Mickey scampering around on our bags we tried to get some sleep, this is easier said than done when the train insists on swaying side to side, not a gentle rocking to sleep!! So we finally arrived, and we were not exactly refreshed, we are we admit bad backpackers, and have decided that from now on long distances will be covered in a more civilized manner i.e. flying.
Cochin was actually a cute (by Indian standards) town, we wandered it’s streets taking in the colonial architecture and the Chinese fishing nets, they are cool contraptions, hard to explain, there will be a picture eventually! We decided that a good massage would sooth our aching joints so we signed up for an Ayurvedic massage, this was to involve oil being poured on our head and a full body massage. Now I am not shy but when the chap asked me to take all my clothes off I thought that I had better just confirm that he meant all, he said he did, so there I am starkers, he turns around looking a little perplexed and tells me underwear is ok, so I think that I have made a little faux pas, on go the pants and the oil on head starts, as you can image the relaxing ambiance has already been lost somewhat. Despite this I tried to relax, but I have to say I don’t like curry smelling oil poured on my head for half an hour. This done it was time for the full body massage, and guess what he only wants me to take my under pants off, so it looks like I am just a little premature, so starkers again, he then proceeds to tie a little lion cloth (I mean little imagine Tarzan on coco cabaña beach – yup thong loin cloth) on me, then the massage begins, starting with the front and legs, not really a fan at this point and nether regions being knocked too regularly for my liking, but this was only the start, after flipping over for my back rub my back and buttocks are slathered in oil and rubbed with two much time spent on buttocks (also thong has been removed at this point). All in all quite a violating and sloppy experience, I had an oily bum for ages. Heathers experience seemed equally traumatic with her boobs getting a thorough rubbing at the hands of her lady. We decided it was best to escape Cochin at this point.
We headed for Kollam; here we took a great trip around the backwaters where we watched the people in the village, husking coconuts, making rope from coconut husks and mussel fishing. Being punted around on a boat was a great way to spend a day, and it was so quiet!! The next day we sailed to Alappuzha on a budget tourist boat where we had a utensil less lunch. We actually discovered that contrary to Lonely Planets description this is not a nice market town to stroll around in, so we decided to splash out and rent a rice boat for a day to do some more backwater cruising. It was a brilliant way to kill a day and we were fed and watered very well. Our next stop is Goa, we are hoping for a little more peace and quiet, so fingers crossed!!!
P.S. We have updated all the pictures for Africa, so check them out!
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