Kerala has many claims. The first one is the earliest traces of DNA outside of Africa have been found here, dating from more than 15,000 years ago, according to Michael Wood's book, "the Story of India", also seen as a BBC TV series. It's second claim to fame is that it has had a communist government for many years and has the highest level of general education in India, this has resulted in the least amount of disparity in wealth of any part of India. Also, I found them to be the most placid, helpful and kind within the continent. The Kerala coastline is very susceptible to change, with new shores out of sandbars, which over time become long strands of dry land, with tranquil backwaters forming behind, where locals fish daily just before dawn for their evening meal. There is a Jewish community which dates from at least Roman times, coming from the Basra region of Iraq. Pepper, a weed, was what first enticed the Romans and Greeks here. Hence the start of the Spice Route to Europe (pepper and rice are Tamil words). The cost of importing spices was a huge drain on the Roman economy.
Lungi country, this is a sort of long skirt that tucks in at the waist when not around the ankles. Big black bikes, bare feet and no obesity. I was back on an old Hercules, one of which I had as a lad. I stayed in the fishing village of Kuzupilly, which turned out to be the most relaxing time that I can ever remember. Sitting on the beach watching and hearing the waves touch the shore and hear the undertow of the retreating water. After fishing for the day the boats were hauled up and beached to dry out. Most houses seemed to have a small wooden canoe which were used on the backwaters to catchy he evening meal. Kuzhuppilly is set on a long sandbank next to the Arabian Sea.
The picture with the four instruments are mouth harps, also known as Jew's harp and jaws harp. He had help to organise a festival for the instruments. He was a virtuoso and he put me onto other players on YouTube. Later I was to meet a Brazillian who has been travelling around the world over the past four years on a Cannondale with disc brakes. When travelling I seem to meet the most amazing and interesting people. All sit around at night entertaining each other with stories. It is great to be accepted by these young folks. Brits are the worst for "blanking" me.
Sunrise over Kuzhuppilly
My guest house, Sand Castle, run by a German-Indian
The therapy of a lazy sea
Sand Castle
Beached fishing boats between outings
Sunset and time for a sundowner (tea for me)
Shaded social area to doze and socialise at
Four different design of mouth harps
Lazy relaxation to waving palm fronds
Lungi wearers
Thes spiders web nets are used in the backwaters and were introduced by Chinese
Immigrants centuries ago
My hammock and net beautiful in the night breeze in the
moonlight
Eating in the local cafe. I have never perfected the hand to mouth route, I am far better at the foot in the mouth manner
Small fish being sun dried for preservation
The cool scene outside the village cafe, restaurant
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