Verkala - The Kerela Backwaters - Kochi - Mysore

Hey guys!!!!! We have put lots more pics on so have a look.

Sorry again that its been a long time since we last posted. We've been having some very lazy days since we last wrte to you all, still trying to get better!!! I think we're nearly over our bizarre sickness now, although we've been popping Immodium like they're asprin.

Anyway we managed to spend 2 days resting in the Beach resort of Verkala. Its a very quite seaside resort on top of a cliff that stretches about 200m. We managed to spend an afternoon on the beach, however neither of us was brave enoug to venture into the murky coloured waters of the ocean. It seem to have a brown tinge to it ad was washing up a clear jelly like substance that we were later informed was fish bladder, mmmmmmm nice. Anyway during the 2 hour session on the beach I managed to get burnt. It wasn't sore at all and initially turned a beautiful brown colour, however nw it has all peeled and I've been left with a hideous looking chest with red blouches everywhere. Serves me right I guess. Most our the time we spent in Verkala involved just chilling and enjoying far far too much food!!! From here we caught an early morning train (may I just add that the southern trains are no where near as nice as the northern ones and even they weren't great) to the Kerela Backwaters, which is made up of man-made island where people have built houses and live what seems to be a quiet life along the river. Here we stayed with a local family who were so lovely and friendly. I unfortunatly was still ill at this point,bu the lovely lady in the house gave me cornflakes which I crunched up into tiny flakes of puff. People that know me well will know what I mean. Chris on the other hand joined everyone for the orientation walk which involved the group walking along the river banks and into the rice fields in extremely wet conditions as it had just rained (we have been informed that the second southern monsoon is due any day now) and in the dark, so many people got wet and muddy from falling over. How lucky I was sitting in the warmth with my cornflakes.

We only spent one night in the back waters. It really was a beautiful, relaxing place, Totally diffrent from the North. Everything down south seems so peaceful (the horns still sound alot) and tranquil. From The backwaters we had a morning bus journey to the city of Kochi. Again we only spent a short time here, so me and Chris thought we'd make the most of it. We found an american burger restaurant for lunch and ordered Domino's pizza for dinner (no Beef though, just veg). I know you may think thats really bad but we were craving western food and we had been ill for quite some time. We caught a boat over to Fort Kochi to visit a jewish temple, although on arrival discovered it would be closed due to religious holidays, so we grabbed an ice cream and headed back on what muct been one of the most over-packed boats I have been on. Women and children obviously got to go on first, most of whom were standing as the 100 odd seats had all ready been filled. Then they released the men from behind a metal gate were they charged to squash into what little room there was left. There must have been at least 350 people this boat if not more, Chris thinks 500, even though it really should only of had 100. Needless to say we both had a sinking feeling!!!!! So we thought what better to do next than shop!!! I managed to get my old glassed relensed for 700 INR (10.00 to the rest of you) and I also brught a brand new pair, not that they were needed but the man sold it to me when he said the lenses had extracts of Lotus leaves in them that made the lenses stay clean for longer (unlikely), but still they cost me 2700 INR (34.00) I sinced discovered that we'd probably gone to the most expenseive chain of opticians in town, but still they did it there and then, better than the service back home and I don't know anyone that has extracts of lotus leaves in their lenses!!!!!!!

From Kochi we had to get an overnight bus to Mysore. We were due to get a train, however they had all been cancelled due to the religious festivals and before anyone asks, no we don't know which one. We've lost track trying to remember as there are so many going on out here. The bus journey was horrendous. It was so uncomfy sitting therefor 11hours and the A/C made it absolutly freezing. And to make it worse the driving clearly didn't know how to drive as he kept slamming on the bracks every minute and believe me thats an under statement. He also felt the need to sound the horn all the way through the night. He must have felt lost without it. And don't get me started on the state of their public toilets. The sight of someone else's toilet stop is not something you wish to be greeted by, especially as the floors are always wet and you have no option but to question why. And the smell, well, there's only so long you can hold your beath whilst trying to hold your trousers up from the wet floor, whilst also trying to squat down and balance above a whole, thats covered in various things ( I won't go into details there) I nealy vomitted this time the smell was so bad. The bushes are definatly the best place to go if you need to, you see the men stop what their doing and go there all the time!!!

Anyway next was a 3 hour journey to a place called Mysore. Again its only a short stop here of one night and we leave later in 20 minutes to head to Hampi. We really haven't done alot here. Just relaxed and pretty much used the internet for hours on end, there's been so much to sort out whilst we've been away. Although I'm told there is a beautiful palace here and we were on our way to see it but we've kinda seen enough buildings for one country. We'e just counting down the days until we reach Goa for our final chance of rest and relaxation before we battle the task of Everest.