Palakkad and Tamil Nadu

Even though she didn't have the best selection of fabrics, this humble woman wasn't pushy so I chose to purchase a two saris. One to cut up and make cushions for my living room in Kampala (150 rupees/3 dollars) and another for Anne Hecker, a friend who requested something bright and bold. No shortage of that!

Rice paddies and threatening clouds on the bus ride to Palakkad, on my way to the mountains of Tamil Nadu.

More rice paddies - cultivating rice is not an easy thing!

On the dam wall of a colonial project outside Palakkad. Locals hang out in the sculpted gardens and have picnics

While eating lunch - chicken curry - I captured this scene on the street. A guava seller.

They say that Tamils have their roots in Africa...before the splitting of the continents. Well, this could very well be Kampala!

Flower sellers abound. most of the garlands are for the temples. However, many women hand jasmine flowers in this hair. The fragrance permeates the worst of street smells. I purchased a garland for 20 rupees. (40 cents)

Tamil Nadu has a woman state leader - her influence is easily seen with the high number of woman police officers. This scene is outside the hotel in Mettupalayam where I put up for a night in order to take the early morning train into the mountains.

Across from the hotel in Mettupayalam, I grabbed a coffee in a local restaurant. This group of boys was celebrating an event - but I don't know what because I didn't ask! They were practising their English with me and I didn't quite get the reason for the outing.

In the mountains, the temperature drops fast. most women seem to keep their woolen shawls handy. Notice the woolen headcover on both the woman and child. This photo was taken at the bus station in Ooty, while waiting for my bus back to Palakkad. Later, I noticed a big sign forbidding the taking of photographs. Oops!

Rice paddies in the south of Tamil Nadu. Taken from the train window on my way to Kanyakumari, the tip of India where the Indian Ocean meets the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The low lying mountains were spectacular and there was a distinct change in vegetation. Trees were smaller, the bushes more Mediterranean looking, and the coconut palms vanished.

Kanyakumari - at the tip of the sub-continent

At the ferry line-up, waiting to go to the viewing points at the tip of India

A view through the latticed bricks - A view of Saint Rich Church and Our Lady of Refuge Church

The temple at the rocks at the tip of India

A view of the mixing waters - taken from the viewing tower. 

The driver of the bus on the way back from Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram. 

Notice the rice paddies in the background and the women toiling.

This reminded me of the Greek Islands...don't know why. There is something universal about coastal cities and villages.

Fort Kochin, Allepey Backwaters

Dufferin Point - Fort Kochi

I couldn't resist the name. The short ferry ride - for 4 rupees/ cannot even tell you the amount in Canadian, 8 cents maybe, can take a rider from Fort Kochi to the mainland at Ernakulam. Why would you take a bus which takes three times longer and costs much more! 50 cents!

The local ferry point in fort Kochi. Passengers cycle to the ferry and park off.

Passengers wait to board the ferry Fort Kochin, Kerala.

My favourite cafe in Fort Kochin - with a magnifcent gallery attached.

Why wouldn't you want to hang out here? This is outdoors, btw

The red building is mansion once owned by a Jewish family who still have a presence in Fort Kochin.

Chinese fishing nets - dating back to the 15th Century. The practice has continued down the ages. Here, the seafood is unbelievable...and very affordable!

Jeffrey, one of the fishermen in Fort Kochi. He was hoping that I would stop by the following day and purchase some of his catch.

Jeffrey and is companion working the nets

A small sampling of the daily catch. I purchased three meals worth...for one sitting. 1 kg of jumbo prawns, crabs for curry, and a yellow tail and had the hotel prepare it for my dinner! Total cost: 6 dollars!

The garden at the House Hotel - sitting right on the water. A splendid place to spend three nights.

The Goddess, Parvati, welcomes visitors to the Cultural Centre, Fort Kochi

Inside the museum section of the cultural centre, Fort Kochin

A Kathakali Dancers prepares his make-up in front of an audience

Witness the precision and skill

The end result with the full costume

A performer at the cultural centre sans headgear. The yellow colouring is turmeric!

The cafe at the cultural centre where I learned about puttu and was shown how to make it. 

The Allepey Backwaters

Not an eco-friendly way to travel: me, with a guide, his friend, and the boatsman. $20 for a four-hour cruise.

Cell phone reign in the oddest of places

House boats are very popular during the high tourist season

Casual chatter amongst local men in Allepey. The dhoti is one thing that is not seen in the north.

The monsoon rains had caused flooding that was quite severe in many areas of Kerala.

Nuns everywhere...I was shy to capture their pictures. This one I took from a discreet distance across the road.

There are buses...and buses. The green is always greener on the other side! You pay more to travel in the air conditioned buses.

No glass windows in this  bus - just leather shutters which need to be closed when the rain comes down! As in this case!

Something I had to get used to: men pee everywhere, and anywhere. I found myself wondering what women do? Are they able to hold their pee longer than men?

This picture was taken by Jeffrey, a fisherman in Fort Cochin