Although I could have stayed forever in Periyar, we continued our adventures through Kerala (in South India) to Kumarakom — the land of backwaters and the houseboats that serenely glide down the waters.
As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we were greeted with Welcome Coconuts:
Mine made me oh-so-happy, as I had been dying for one all trip!
And we thought we’d enjoy dinner at the hotel because they had a tandoor (clay oven that makes things delicious). So we devoured tandoori cauliflower, which was served with mint-cilantro chutney (the same mint chutney that came with our Kathi rolls in Goa):
And we had a vegetable & rice biryani. Mmmmm, it was delicious and topped with local roasted cashews and served with yogurt:
And of course, one of my favourite desserts – gulab jamun:
The next morning we headed down to breakfast and were greeted with a wall of humidity when we left our chillingly air-conditioned rooms. It was seriously like walking into a brick wall of damp. It also fogged up my camera and made for very romantic photos of the fishing boats:
Once the humidity cleared from my camera, you can see that it actually looked like this:
We thought we’d get out onto the backwaters, and so went on a houseboat cruise down the waterway. We got to see all the other houseboats on the water:
Staring at the lush green trees along the bank:
Watching the locals fishing:
Contemplating the tires on the side of the houseboat (is there anything like a boatride to get you into a meditating mood?):
Watching the birds:
Drifting lazily under bridges:
Gawking at the lovely houses on the water’s edge:
And being totally amazed by the fact that they were building a houseboat ON A HOUSEBOAT. Now that’s meta.
Mmmm, lazy days in Kumarakom. I feel relaxed just thinking about it.
Great pictures again, such a different view of India than usually seen, now I can see how yoga came from Ibdia. Keep enjoying and sharing as I am enjoying this trip asbi am sure others are.
i’m loving all your india pictures! looks like such an amazing trip.