Trichūr

Headed south east inland to avoid traffic-yeh right. Much more sedate driver-realised how fast and driving into any gap the other one was. Went like the clappers. Today much more sensible. Fascinating drive through very busy towns with many side shops. Usual flash houses next door to shacks. Breakfast first at same place as on way to retreat. Onto motorway for a while. Stopped at road side stalls-pineapple, coconut milk, sugar cane drink. Next door butchery with beef leg hanging. No flies. Chopped bones up finely. Next door chickens and guy butchered very quickly, ripped skin off and used cleaver to chop into chunks. My least favourite thing when eating chicken dishes is the bones. Lots of hill climbing, narrow road, people passing on blind corners. Incredible. Much bamboo and other trees. Climbed high. Shame to see lots of large advertising hoardings in national parks?. Stopped at waterfall then spice place. Amazing to see nutmeg trees, coffee trees, peppercorn vines. Guided tour where guy identified many plants and expounded their medicinal benefits. Real salesman. Cure for everything. Nicki bought quite a lot. I got some skin lotion. Tour of the "Govt approved " pashmina shop. Beautiful shawls. Elephant ride for Midhun, Anna and James! Also a very sad camel there. Not much fun for beasts. Back on bus. Lots of road works. No sign of any cones. Stop/go boys with red and green flags. To Heaven Inn accommodation. Very very steep drive. Nice place. Buffet meal then music show afterwards as New Year's Eve. Music too loud for me. Indian dancing troupe was good but again music too loud.
Munnar at 4500 feet. Tourist town.Cooler up here.
For my benefit. Midhun's parents Sankaran and Lalitha. Daughter Maneesha. Lalitha has four sisters and one brother. Eldest sister Nandini- widowed lives in Mumbai. Next Indira married to Deevarejan and have son Deepak married to Reshmi and daughter Avisha. All live in Bangaluru. Sister Usha (widowed) two daughters Anju and Aaru.
Anju-Sally Henderson doppelganger. Anju married to Pramod with sons Anand and Prenab.
Youngest sister Kaala married to Valsam (neurological issues). Sons Naveen and Aveen who is married to Roopu with daughter Ria.
Brother Madhu married to Baby with daughter Vaishu.Les mer