Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Up in the night !!
Yes it finally got me, but I seem OK today. We had 9.5 hours sleep. Just chilling at the moment - bus leaves for lunch at 12 noon, then onto Cochin for a night out with the Tablers from Cochin RT. Rachel is fine
The Backwaters of Kerala
Great day started with breakfast in this smashing hotel. Then it was off to board a wierd house boat cum canal barge which had two floors and big enought for 100 people. There were lots of different sizes on the Verdana?? Lake.
It took us nearly 3 hours to get to our destination, firstly in open waters then down a wide river. The land either side was lower than the water. It was all very green quite unlike our first few days.
We got off to be escorted in groups of 10 around a big village spread over a few square miles. Our escort was a local man who had a cow and a small holding. We visited his house along the edge of a dubious looking stream and saw lots of lovely people who came out to wave at us foreigners. We went into the local primary school which was in session and also saw the nursery with 12 angelic faces all lined up on the porch. It was a real eye-opener, to think these lovely people have such basic lives. He told us that in the rainy season the water rises by 2 meters and everyone has to live in the school for about a month !!!!
It was absolutely boiling - about 37 degrees - sweat running down us for about 2 hours.
We got back to the boat for a meal and then had the canoeing races. Each nation had to choose 3 guys to race. South Africa won the first heat and we came fourth(last) - all down to James, Alan and Gary - but at least they had a go. The final was won by Sweden. We watched from the bank alongside lots of locals who had come from miles around to see us. Everyone was shouting and screaming when the race was on - it was just great. A clash of two cultures.
After a long ride back we got to the hotel for a swim and relax before another lovely evening meal. Rachel ate little and me not much more as our tummies are just a little delicate and we did not want to push our luck with lots of spicy food.
There was another cultural display which was really wierd. We are off to bed now, but first today's question. Who will be the first to tell me who won the canoe races?
If you are reading the blog leave a comment - not many have so far - just register, you do not get any junk mail at all
Barry
It took us nearly 3 hours to get to our destination, firstly in open waters then down a wide river. The land either side was lower than the water. It was all very green quite unlike our first few days.
We got off to be escorted in groups of 10 around a big village spread over a few square miles. Our escort was a local man who had a cow and a small holding. We visited his house along the edge of a dubious looking stream and saw lots of lovely people who came out to wave at us foreigners. We went into the local primary school which was in session and also saw the nursery with 12 angelic faces all lined up on the porch. It was a real eye-opener, to think these lovely people have such basic lives. He told us that in the rainy season the water rises by 2 meters and everyone has to live in the school for about a month !!!!
It was absolutely boiling - about 37 degrees - sweat running down us for about 2 hours.
We got back to the boat for a meal and then had the canoeing races. Each nation had to choose 3 guys to race. South Africa won the first heat and we came fourth(last) - all down to James, Alan and Gary - but at least they had a go. The final was won by Sweden. We watched from the bank alongside lots of locals who had come from miles around to see us. Everyone was shouting and screaming when the race was on - it was just great. A clash of two cultures.
After a long ride back we got to the hotel for a swim and relax before another lovely evening meal. Rachel ate little and me not much more as our tummies are just a little delicate and we did not want to push our luck with lots of spicy food.
There was another cultural display which was really wierd. We are off to bed now, but first today's question. Who will be the first to tell me who won the canoe races?
If you are reading the blog leave a comment - not many have so far - just register, you do not get any junk mail at all
Barry
Monday, 15 February 2010
Indian Tour Health Report
Well here we go - first Sharon got ill, then James followed by Tracey, Gary, Claire and Chris. All got tablets from the doctor. Then today Alan and James junior got ill for the coach journey. Finally Richard is also now poorly and went to bed early!!!!
It seems to be mostly us English who are getting this deli belly, but thankfully it seems to be a 24 hour thing. Rachel and I wait for it to hit us.
Plus a waiter had to go to hospital after he got anaphylaxis after a wasp sting.
It seems to be mostly us English who are getting this deli belly, but thankfully it seems to be a 24 hour thing. Rachel and I wait for it to hit us.
Plus a waiter had to go to hospital after he got anaphylaxis after a wasp sting.
South India Tour
Time for a catch up!! The overnight train on Friday was an experience. We were meant to have two carriages to ourselkves, but it did not work ouit like that. We had a scrum to get on the train and managede to get on OK. It was a mad night. Lots of drinks flowing in crowded conditions. Barbera from Denmark got very drunk, as did lots of others. At one stage there were 20 of us in the space for 8 - all singing songs, playing silly games and annoying any one who wanted to get to sleep!!. Eventually at about 1.30am most people tried to get some shut eye as we trundled throught the night on the Chennai-Madurai "Express".
Next day we arrived on the train at 7am and walked thru the crowds to the hotel. Somehow our bags got there too. After a nice Indian breakfast on the roof top, we were allocated to a bus - green, red, yellow, blue. We were green. Off to a fantastic temple in Madurai on a special day - there were thousands of worshippers and the temple had these 12 big towers covered in amazing sculptures. We saw lots of amazing stuff - an elephant, a market and lots of murals -plus a glimpse at the religious rituals - this temple covered many acres - very interesting, but quite complicated.
Then some shopping and back to the hotel - a quick rest and the off again a Cultural Cenre 15 miles outside the town. Very interesting explanation of the religions and some dancing demonstrations. Then cocktails on the hillside and we had a traditional southern Indian meal eaten off banana leaves - very nice and quite healthy. Idylic surroundings away from the city.
Next morning it was an early start at 7.30am, then a 4 hour coach journey to the mountains of Kerala - lots of hairpin corners as we climbed. We arrived at the Elephant Court Hotel at midday - it was lovely - we had room 118 - very nice. It was much cooler up in the mountains - only 20-25 degrees. In the afternoon we went to on a Spice Tour - just a walk round these gardens with all different spices growing - so now we know where and how they grow. The evening was on the terrace by the pool - absolutely lovely - first some smashing dancing and martial arts, followed by a meal and disco. All the groups were singing their songs. The disco was cut short after complaints from the locals so we ajouned to Alan and Claires' apartment which had its own inside pool!!!!!
Then came the first cock up when I set the alarm wrong and Rachel and I missed the nature walk. She was very understanding especially as it meant we got more sleep. Breakfast, then back on the bus for a 5 hour journey thru nice countryside with hundreds of tea plantations.
We then arrived here at Zuri and it is unbelievable - lovely apartments, a lake and lovely grounds - but by God it is hot again - 30-35 degrees.
Boat trip tomorrow - be back soon
Next day we arrived on the train at 7am and walked thru the crowds to the hotel. Somehow our bags got there too. After a nice Indian breakfast on the roof top, we were allocated to a bus - green, red, yellow, blue. We were green. Off to a fantastic temple in Madurai on a special day - there were thousands of worshippers and the temple had these 12 big towers covered in amazing sculptures. We saw lots of amazing stuff - an elephant, a market and lots of murals -plus a glimpse at the religious rituals - this temple covered many acres - very interesting, but quite complicated.
Then some shopping and back to the hotel - a quick rest and the off again a Cultural Cenre 15 miles outside the town. Very interesting explanation of the religions and some dancing demonstrations. Then cocktails on the hillside and we had a traditional southern Indian meal eaten off banana leaves - very nice and quite healthy. Idylic surroundings away from the city.
Next morning it was an early start at 7.30am, then a 4 hour coach journey to the mountains of Kerala - lots of hairpin corners as we climbed. We arrived at the Elephant Court Hotel at midday - it was lovely - we had room 118 - very nice. It was much cooler up in the mountains - only 20-25 degrees. In the afternoon we went to on a Spice Tour - just a walk round these gardens with all different spices growing - so now we know where and how they grow. The evening was on the terrace by the pool - absolutely lovely - first some smashing dancing and martial arts, followed by a meal and disco. All the groups were singing their songs. The disco was cut short after complaints from the locals so we ajouned to Alan and Claires' apartment which had its own inside pool!!!!!
Then came the first cock up when I set the alarm wrong and Rachel and I missed the nature walk. She was very understanding especially as it meant we got more sleep. Breakfast, then back on the bus for a 5 hour journey thru nice countryside with hundreds of tea plantations.
We then arrived here at Zuri and it is unbelievable - lovely apartments, a lake and lovely grounds - but by God it is hot again - 30-35 degrees.
Boat trip tomorrow - be back soon
Friday, 12 February 2010
DAY 1 CHENNAI
This will be quick. Off to a great start apart from my ears on the plane and my still very sore throat which is a pain - I can hardly talk and landing in Chennai was really sore.
Ashish and Shalininare great hosts. We had breakfast yesterday, then shopping where I bought 3 shirts, then lunch and a 3 hour catch up sleep. We then went to a fantastic house party where we met 25% of the whole party - lovely food and drink and we met quite a few people.
This morning we had a trip around Chennai and visited the Basilica of St Thomas and a Temple which was really crowded - we saw all the different parts of Chennai - rich and poor.
Then it was on to the Madras Club for registration and meeting everyone - more lovely food and drink in lovely surroundings.
We are now getting ready for our overnight train trip to Madurai, leaving at 9.45pm tonight. We will have tea and leave. No blogging tonight!
By the way the temperature is just over 30 degrees - jealous or what! Actually it's a bit too hot.
Bye for a while.
Ashish and Shalininare great hosts. We had breakfast yesterday, then shopping where I bought 3 shirts, then lunch and a 3 hour catch up sleep. We then went to a fantastic house party where we met 25% of the whole party - lovely food and drink and we met quite a few people.
This morning we had a trip around Chennai and visited the Basilica of St Thomas and a Temple which was really crowded - we saw all the different parts of Chennai - rich and poor.
Then it was on to the Madras Club for registration and meeting everyone - more lovely food and drink in lovely surroundings.
We are now getting ready for our overnight train trip to Madurai, leaving at 9.45pm tonight. We will have tea and leave. No blogging tonight!
By the way the temperature is just over 30 degrees - jealous or what! Actually it's a bit too hot.
Bye for a while.
Up Up and Away
Well, here we are at Birmingham International Airport - in Yates!! Some of the party are living it up in the Executive lounge with free drinks and nibbles, but the rest of us are with the plebs.
I have had a really sore throat and bad cold these last few days, but it might just be easing after taking a whole lot of Vitamin C courtesy of Maria at work - plus decongestant and Vic then Albus oil in my hankie. I must be rattling when you add to that malaria tablets and probiotics to prepare my stomach for the treats in store.
For the record our party consists of Rachel and myself, Richard and Helen, Flick and Paul, Sharon and James, Dave and Chris, Gary and Tracy, Alan, Claire and James.
Our mission is to join fellow Tablers, and assorted guests from all 9 "94" numbered Tables around the world for the annual twinning weekend. As it involves a trip to India the Tablers from Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table (MCRT) in Chennai have organised a week long trip around southern India beforehand and a four day trip to Delhi and the Taj Mahal afterwards. Not all are going to Delhi - Rachel is coming home and I am staying on for a few days in Goa.
We have a 7 hour trip to Dubai, followed by 4 hours to Chennai, but we are with Emirates so should be fine. The departure is delayed by 30 minutes.
We have all been given the names of the families where we are staying - ours are Ashish and Shalini. Mehul and the team from MCRT have been brilliant so far - we are even getting Indian sim cards so we can phone each other cheaply.
I will try and keep the blog up to date but it might be difficult - I have my laptop, but might need to post on line using computers in hotels if I cannot cut and paste into the blog.
Please post you comments. I will be running a competition to see who is the first person on the tour to tell me the answer to a question I ask on the blog. The answer has to be communicated to someone from England to one of the 15 travellers from the UK and they have to tell me the answer in person. First answer concerns the meeting point for our coach trip around Chennai - it will be at the Ghandi memorial on the beach road - thats all you have to tell them
Well that's it for starters. Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I have had a really sore throat and bad cold these last few days, but it might just be easing after taking a whole lot of Vitamin C courtesy of Maria at work - plus decongestant and Vic then Albus oil in my hankie. I must be rattling when you add to that malaria tablets and probiotics to prepare my stomach for the treats in store.
For the record our party consists of Rachel and myself, Richard and Helen, Flick and Paul, Sharon and James, Dave and Chris, Gary and Tracy, Alan, Claire and James.
Our mission is to join fellow Tablers, and assorted guests from all 9 "94" numbered Tables around the world for the annual twinning weekend. As it involves a trip to India the Tablers from Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table (MCRT) in Chennai have organised a week long trip around southern India beforehand and a four day trip to Delhi and the Taj Mahal afterwards. Not all are going to Delhi - Rachel is coming home and I am staying on for a few days in Goa.
We have a 7 hour trip to Dubai, followed by 4 hours to Chennai, but we are with Emirates so should be fine. The departure is delayed by 30 minutes.
We have all been given the names of the families where we are staying - ours are Ashish and Shalini. Mehul and the team from MCRT have been brilliant so far - we are even getting Indian sim cards so we can phone each other cheaply.
I will try and keep the blog up to date but it might be difficult - I have my laptop, but might need to post on line using computers in hotels if I cannot cut and paste into the blog.
Please post you comments. I will be running a competition to see who is the first person on the tour to tell me the answer to a question I ask on the blog. The answer has to be communicated to someone from England to one of the 15 travellers from the UK and they have to tell me the answer in person. First answer concerns the meeting point for our coach trip around Chennai - it will be at the Ghandi memorial on the beach road - thats all you have to tell them
Well that's it for starters. Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Here we go, here we go, here we go. Blogging our trip to India with the Round Tablers, Ladies Circlers, Tangent and 41 Clubbers from Shirley as part of the World 94 Meeting. 15 of us will set off on Wednesday 10th February for Chennai via Dubai.
We are all officially very excited by now having had a meeting at Alan's last Sunday. A few of us are getting together tonight at our house to swap fancy dress clothes.
Anyway watch this space for news of our travels
Barry and Rachel
We are all officially very excited by now having had a meeting at Alan's last Sunday. A few of us are getting together tonight at our house to swap fancy dress clothes.
Anyway watch this space for news of our travels
Barry and Rachel
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