Backwaters on a Ballin' Basketboat

We left the comforts of the Kannur Beachhouse and drove a couple hours north along the coast to some of Kerala's backwaters (the name of which, after many failed attempts, we could not understand)

Here's our basket boat.

...and here are some other vessels and some of the sights along the backwaters.

We stopped to visit a spot where it seems several troops of monkeys hang out. They're so cute...but also vicious.

These are some kids that were extremely stoked to see us and ask every one of us 'What is your name?!!'

We stopped to walk along part of this pristine 25km long beach, that if it were anywhere else would have been packed with luxary homes or hotel, but as it was there were just a few village homes.

The sunset was wonderful to watch, but little did we know that before it rose again we would be awaken from our slumber at 4am by loud drumming and chanting from the local temple, followed by even louder hindi music, all of which lasted for about 2 hours.

The say that when you travel its the people that make the biggest impression on you. This is true for the crazy little man named Krishnan who worked our boat. Usually in India yes is indicated by a head waggle, but for Krishnan it was more of a vibration.

His hyperactive tendancies were most evident as he attempted to stall us while a very late dinner was being prepared. After announcing that he knew magic to whipped out a deck of cards and shuffled them frantically, emploring us to cut the deck twice and then 'magically' telling us what the bottom card of each pile was.

This was made more hilarious both by the beers we were drinking and his excellent pronunciation of the word 'ace'. Shown is a picture of Krishnan holding 'ass, ass, nine'!

India! First Impressions of Kerala

Kochi

After arriving in Kochi from Dubai on a red-eye flight we slept a few hours, then set off to a nice forested park on the outskirts of Cochin. There was an elephant sanctuary and jungle on the banks of the Periyar River.

A cool temple we passed along the way. This is Nandi, the mount of lord Shiva and guardian of his temple.

Kannur

Kannur is a small city along the beach about 6 hours north of Kochi. There are more palm trees here than people, and the pace of life is very laid back. 

We visited a weaver's co-op on the edge of town where they spun, dyed, and wove all sorts of  cotton textiles on funky old wooden looms. The constant clack-clack noise of all the wefts sliding back and forth could be heard from quite a distance.

Near the rail station there was a cool ceremony called Theyyam happening. The man in the orange was dancing, stabbing chunks of wood with a sword, gesturing, chanting, and waving burning oil-lamps around in time to a frantic beat set by three drummers. At the conclusion, he blessed a banana leaf before tearing off sections which the worshippers lined up to receive and stick to their forehead.

Here are some shots taken in and around the beach hut we stayed at for 5 days. Situated 20km south of the city center, it was very quiet and relaxing

Breakfast: Fried onion-egg curry, rice cake, baked plantain, peas-lentil-ginger curry, and sweet fried rice balls. Very tasty.