My last holiday in India and it was just what I needed a blend of sun, sea, sand, culture, family and friends. I had been planning the trip 6 months prior to going. Knowing full well Christmas and New Year is the prime holiday season for Brits to India I had to book travel and accommodation well in advance. Actually for a change everything went to plan as the trip started in Mumbai heading down the coast to Goa (Candolim) then onto Alleppey in Kerala, Kollam then finally Kovalam before returning back to Mumbai to get our flights home. A combination of flights, sleeper trains, local bus, tuk tuk's and Ferry got us to our destinations.
We gathered in Mumbai, Tom and Penny flew from the UK, Sue from Bubaneswar and Gera from Nagpur. Another crazy Indian city, sampling the fresh lime sodas, chai and of course the multi national cuisines on offer as craving western food all the more after a year here. We took in gateway to India, local art gallery, Chowpatty beach and Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Mumbai. As well as checking out the local crazy market which was very overwhelming - lots and lots of people and traffic.
After this some chill time was needed so an overnight train took us to our residence for 5 nights in Goa
Our view from our balcony sets the scene for the next few days.
Another overnight actually 19 hours and we had arrived in Alleppey preparing for our adventures on the backwaters.
Of course sampling some of the local dishes and Kingfisher on the way.
As the first trip was on a big cruise ferry we decided to try out a smaller canoe to see some of the local villages making furniture, coir making, boat building and tiger prawn farming.
Also got to see an eagle up close.
More rest was required so we headed off to our final destination Kovalam, we arrived about 5 pm and headed straight to the beach it was absolutely packed so many people it was initially a shock however we realised that this was the local time for swimming too, the next few days were much more tranquil. Shopping along the sea front, swimming in the pool and off lighthouse beach 40 degrees trying to keep rehydrated.
It actually felt like we had been away a lot longer and seen so many things. I enjoyed the whole trip but especially liked Goa and Kerala. Even though I am regularly disappointed in the pollution all around India the South is better in the touristy areas but its still not the haven described in the guide books. Also accommodation can be described very superbly on the net however up close the hotels did not match up. The apartment in Goa was amazing though and I would go back any time.
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