Travel Virus

I spent a few days on the hills and mountains of Kerala, visiting cities and towns off the beaten track, to enjoy the rural life and peaceful countryside: punalur, Elandoor and Piravam. I also went to the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary, where I I have seen few wild animals, including many birds and even bisons! Plus I could enjoy an amazing elephan ride around the coconut forest, with a knowledgeable guide who was explaing all the different kinds of trees, fruits, and spices. At the end of the ride I could also feed the Elephant with several pumpkins, it was really great. Elephan riding is much more relaxing than horse back riding

Then I’ve been a couple of days in Kumarakom, near Kottayam, which is an overpriced but quite town on the Vembanaad lake (backwater). We took a boat around the backwaters, in the small canals an the huge salty lake, it’s really a must for everyone visiting Kerala. We spotted several kind of birds and we could see the life of the locals who live near the backwaters. Then I visited the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, but I didn’t find it very exciting. Kumarakom is a high market tourist place with several very expensive resorts (like the famous coconut lagoon, about 200$ a night).

I am now in Cochin, for some last shopping… there are huge shops of gold and sarees, beautiful silk (Kalyan Silks: the world’s biggest sarees exposition, 5 floors of silk), and expensive gold bangles (bracelets)… too bad my hand is too big and the bangles don’t fit me! I’m staying in Bijus Tourist home, and it’s a good deal, near the boat jetty with farries to forth cochin and Vypen island.

Unfortunately the trip is finishing in three days…

,