KANYAKUMARI-WHERE THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT ENDS
From Trivandrum we left Kerala heading to Kanyakumari with its location being the southernmost tip of India. As always what should have been a relatively simple journey didn’t quite go to plan. Starting with the wrong train that went in the opposite direction, before bringing us back to Trivandrum our favourite place, we managed to arrive at our destination following a rickshaw ride and another bus. The train journey that should have delivered us straight to India’s pinnacle got us nearly but not quite there. You’ve just got to start loving the Indian Rail System!!!
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| Me loving the Indian Rail System |
Kanyakumari is a small seaside town with lots of religious history and some of the sights were just amazing. The place wasn’t even in our plans but with being so close to what is the end we decided why not.
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| Saravana Lodge overlooking the Temple |
Early evening on arrival we checked into the Saravana Lodge, which took some searching through the main bazaar, but turned out to be a great place where you could see the whole village from the roof-top. Our first squat-toilet and I will not add any more information about that matter.
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| View from Saravana Lodge |
The town was busy with local tourists during our only day, which just added to the entertainment, and we had to make sure we visited the three main sights.
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| Waiting in line for the Memorial Ferry |
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue were breath taking and were set on two small islands just off the coast which required a ferry service. Queuing for the boat ride was something else stuck in a queuing system it felt like we were the star attraction with plenty flash photography! This carried on at the sights as well, even with the most amazing structures right next to you.
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| The Vivekananda Rock Memorial |
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| Where's Wally. Off for my flip-flops! |
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| Thiruvalluvar Statue |
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| Kanyakumari looking back |
However what a sight they were and once we survived all the commotion we made it to the Gandhi Memorial. Built in the memory of the Mahatma Gandhi, the memorial is designed in a remarkable way. For on his birthday every year (October 2nd), the sun’s rays fall in a precise spot where his ashes were kept for public viewing, before they were submerged in the 2006 Tsunami.
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| The Mahatma Ghandi Memorial |
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| Some Historical Fact's |
With a tick next to Kanyakumari and the effort to make it here definitely being worth the hassle we set ourselves, to start our trek back in a northern direction towards the Western Ghats and the Hill Station of Kodaikanal.
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| No beer allowed so Kingfisher make water,nice! |
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| The very tip of the Indian Sub-continent!!! |
Our first overnight bus was a semi-sleeper deluxe class with an expected duration of 15 hours on the road. Not quite a nice new Mercedes Coach but it was pleasantly OK with reclining seats and everything. Kate and I were both out like a light so managing to get our heads down was a bonus helped along the way with sleeping bags and travel pillows. Oh we have all the latest mod cons
KODAIKANAL-INDIA CAN ACTUALLY BE FREEZING (WHERE HAS ALL THE BEER GONE?)
Winding roads lead us up to the hill station of Kodaikanal in the Western Ghats. The bus was unbelievably on schedule for once arriving at 6am and freezing cold. We could actually see our own breath in the air. The hoodies and beanie caps were out in full force!!!
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| Travelling in style on board an Ultra Deluxe model |
A beautiful little town built on the hillside and we decided to explore no guide needed even though we kept bumping into the same one at every turn. We went to Coaker Walk which had beautiful views of the green valley with a low lying mist. Next was Bryant Park. I think the altitude got to us as you will see from the photographs below. I think we lost our minds for a few minutes.
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| The Hill Station streets of Kodaikanal |
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| Hill Station Valley Mist |
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| Kate doesn't even like bananas ? |
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| Blame the altitude & no monkey fear yet!!! |
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| A giant watermelon, what next? |
Next on the list was Kodaikanal Lake, walking the 5km circumference when the heavens opened just to let us know that it was still Monsoon. Still haven’t got around to buying that umbrella!
Once the rain subsided we headed to Bear Shola Falls. It was just us at the waterfall and the funniest thing happened. We came across a family who were taking family photographs next to what you could describe as a stream, thinking that this was the waterfall. The excitement was amazing when we explained that there was in fact a huge waterfall just around the corner. Off they went hollering into the distance, one good dead for the day.
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| Monsoon downpour at the lake |
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| The actual Bear Shola Falls |
No beer here but the withdrawal symptoms were fine. Instead there was the most perfect street food serving chai and deep fried Indian snacks, and a bloody good bakery up the road for dessert, once it was finally opened.
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| Our favourite Indian Snack Stand |
At the bakery we met a lovely Indian family who were intrigued about our adventures, and some hippy cult members who had been living in India for years. They invited us to their farm but we kindly declined.
We got chased by monkey’s trying to get to an internet cafe. Pretty scary little buggers and I think I now have a monkey phobia. I think this was a sign as a time to move on.
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| 2 seconds after this snap they chased us. Monkey Phobia!!! |
The city of Bangalore is waiting for us. THE BREWING CAPITAL OF INDIA
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