I'm sorry I have been a naughty blogger, but I have good reason for it, I promise!
After finally giving up my old job (you can read about that here), I went on a little 7 week adventure to India to travel and do a 200hr intensive yoga teacher training course (YTTC). The YTTC warrants a whole (very long!) post of it's own, but before that I did a bit of travelling around South India with one of my favourite travelling buddies Su, and my amazing cousin Lexy joined us for parts too.
Susan and I have been on 6 adventures together through Brazil, to Thailand, Dubai, Malta, Barcelona and Istanbul and when she decided to join me at last minute for adventure numero 7 I couldn't have been more delighted! We both needed a break from the chaos that comes from London life and this was perfect.
Meeting at Heathrow on a rainy, windy & freezing February evening we were like two giddy school girls delirious with excitement!
Of course, we had to have a glass (or 2) of bubbles to begin the latest adventure, and naturally to help us get some kip on the 9hour flight.
On arrival in Mumbai we transferred straight through and onto Kochi. For anyone travelling through Mumbai airport, I had been warned that it would be total chaos but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was so don't worry!
Kochi is in the southern state of Kerala - nicknamed "God's Own Country" and for good reason too, it is beautiful! We headed straight to Fort Kochi. 600 years ago Fort Kochi was established as the gateway to India, it was from here that the colonization of India actually began. The town nowadays is a sleepy melange of worldly influences: Portuguese churches, Anglo-Dutch houses, Colonial buildings and Chinese fishing nets.
Our first Indian sunset over the Chinese Fishing Nets
We were hoping to wash the sunset down with a nice cold beer, but after fruitless effort to find one, a local kindly told us that the 1st of every month is a dry-day where no alcohol is available anywhere. Ah!
Luckily Lexy then appeared from the distance on the back of a motorbike, with a huge grin on her face. Lexy is one of the most amazing people you could meet! She has been on a journey herself travelling solo through Nepal, Sri Lanka and now India, a very seasoned traveler who steered us fresh faced city girls in the right direction!
We even found our way to a temple festival in a village outside Fort Kochi. We had been told there would be fire and elephants there, and although these were no where to be seen, it was still a lovely occasion and it was beautiful to see all the ladies dressed up in their colourful saris! There was a beautiful young girl who had jasmine flowers decorating her hair, she was very shy but let me take a photo!
Although Fort Kochi was a visually beautiful little place, there was not a huge amount to do here and we found our 2 nights & 1 day was plenty. We visited the Kochi Flower Show, however this was less Chelsea Flower Show, more walking round a Homebase store! Although they did have this very cool bean man!
Fort Kochi is a lovely little place to stroll around and watch dolphins playing in the mouth of the river, it was a perfect transition from London chaos into South Indian life. There is some delicious food too - if you happen to find yourself in Fort Kochi don't miss Fusion Bay for some great Keralan specialities, and Kashi Cafe & Art Gallery for breakfasts and amazing cakes!
Next stop Periyar National Park.....
xx
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