Monster Bats in the Trees

“Wow , look up …there’s a huge bat in the tree. ” I looked up and there was a huge fruit bat flying around.  The more we looked the more we found

The wild life in Kochi is great, I looked down and a guant snail was crawling past, 
Add this to wandering cows, goats and cats that seem to be in every street and alley
Everywhere you look is teeming with life, eagles sore above you crows look at you from branches, window ledges and walls.  Even hotel rooms have a friendly coackroach or two and overly friendly mosquitoes who just want to give you a little bite or two or three. …

Cows in the road and banana leaves

Today is my birthday. .no way,  never, too soon.  Yup it’s my birthday yet again but what a wonderful way to spend it.

My partner and I went took a river trip on the amazing back waters of ,Kuttanad (Near Alappuzha / Alleppey) the driver battled through torrential rain to arrive at the destination.  I took cover under my rain poncho on part of the journey ….yes we were in a car but the window needed to be open to clear the windscreen  (it was an old car!)we narrowly avoided cows in the road and many cars and trucks that seemed to be heading straight for us.

Somehow we arrived safely and then took a leisurely boat ride through the back waters. . It’s a glimpse into the lives of local people living on and about the rivers.  A fascinating insight into their daily lives as they wash,  do laundry and clean their plates in the abundant river .

We stopped at a riverside cafe and ate a traditional meal using banana leaves as plates and our hands as cutlery , when the rain came again the rivers became even more beautiful