India Part 2 - Airport to Cherai Beach

There are two main ways to travel in India, the Tourist way and the Local way.

Even though by UK prices the tourist way is very cheep there is something quite special about travelling the Local way, after all do we not travel to gain new experiences?

Ippy and I awoke the next morning feeling quite refreshed. We packed up our few things and we headed out onto the bust streets of India.

Even this early in the morning cars, lorries and buses raced by beeping their horns and throwing dust and fumes into the morning air.

By talking to the boys on the front desk of the place we stayed we had already worked out we needed to get a few buses to Cherai Beach but the day was young, we had plenty of time and I was more than happy to ride in Ippy's back pack and enjoy the view.

The first bus we caught from outside our hotel took us 5km to a busy intersection in Alway town.

This surprised Ippy as I as we thought we were already in Alway!

There was a bit more confusion as we got off and asked everyone where we needed to go to catch the bus to North Paravur. Various people smiled and pointed across the 6 lanes of traffic to the other side. 

Lorries and vehicles of all shapes and sizes rushed by in a solid block of intertwined chaos along the road beside us. Luckily there were traffic lights about 10 m away as crossing roads in India is exciting at the best of times let alone when there are 6 lanes to transverse!

On the far side, when we asked where the bus station was, someone pointed us back across to where we had come from! It was only when we mentioned North Paravur that and Cherai Beach that they smiled and pointed to a tiny bus stand under some trees.

As we approached, Ippy confirmed with the people standing there that we were at the right place to catch the bus to North Paravur. 

There are times Ippy explained, when being totally self sufficient and knowing what you are doing without help is a good thing, but there are also times when seeming a little lost and vague can be much more useful. 

I looked confused until a bus pulled up and no less than three people eagerly informed us this wasn't the one we wanted as Ippy went to climb aboard.

When the bus we did need arrived the entire bus stand encouraged us to climb in, some even helping us to find a seat!

People smiled while children stared at me as the bus bounced its way along the bumpy roads that wound through the country side leading to the next town.

More and more people crowded onto the bus as we travelled filling the walk way and even the steps.

Just when it seemed the bus would burst if one more person were allowed on we entered the outskirts of the town and everyone disappeared! 

By the time we drove into the bus depot there was only Ippy and myself plus the driver and ticket man aboard!

"Where do we get the bus to Cherai Beach?" Ippy asked as we got off. 

We were pointed to a road that ran parallel to the bus depot. 

We had a direction if nothing else!

As we walked towards the road we passed stalls selling the most amazing food. Samosa's, tiny savoury buns, cookies with bits of chilli sticking out of the side. 

Ippy bought us three different savoury things as a snack and although some of them were a little spicy they were amazing. Ippy explained that the majority of the snack and street food in India is vegetarian making it a perfect place for her to eat!

When she had been to the Philippines however, nearly ALL the street food there was chicken and port with a bit of fish thrown in for good measure. Apart from some crispy seaweed and rice she had struggled to eat from the road side cafes but in India she was in her element!

With our snacks consumed we headed for the main road and began the usual questions about where we should go. People really do like to help and before long we were standing at another tiny bus stop under a tree while people advised us which bus we needed.

Normally Ippy does quite a bit of research on any new areas she visits but this trip she was just going with the flow as life had been pretty hectic in the UK right until she left. 

When we got off the bus two stops past Cherai Junction we really had no idea where we were. 

The ticket man pointed to a narrow lane, 'Beach' was all he said as we dismounted.

By now it was mid day and blazing sun shone from a cloudless sky above us. The lane was surrounded by trees giving welcomed shade and with no other ideas we began to walk. 

And walk.

When people say 'Beach' and no more when pointing to a narrow lane, one needs to be aware that said beach may not be just the other side of said lane.

 Ippy walked on through the lane which eventually joined another slightly wider lane,

which eventually joined a road, which led to a bridge,

that went over a wide back water, that separated Cherai beach from the mainland!!!!

Cherai Beach turned out to be a long narrow strip of land, in some places only 100m wide, that runs down the coast in the district of Ernakulam, Kerela. 

One end finishes 20km south at Vypin Island where you can catch a ferry to Fort Kochi. The other ends 5km away at another ferry terminal that takes you north. 

Having walked the 2.5km from the bus stop along the only road for miles, we now had the decision of turning right or left to look for accommodation!!

We paused at the 'T' junction to sit on one of the large stones beside the beach, enjoying the cooling breeze as it washed over us. 

The beach stretched into the distance in both directions, 20 m wide with soft rolling waves breaking onto the shore.

“You need room?” a helpful voice called from a rickshaw parked beside the road.

“We are just resting for a few moments,” Ippy called back smiling. “

“I have room if you want to see? Good Price!” the voice sounded hopeful but not pushy.

Ippy smiled.

So many times she had found a room this way but we were in no rush and so we sat for a while longer.

When we eventually rose our friendly rickshaw driver stepped from his cab.

“Please, let me show you room!” He waved at us to follow him across the road and with nothing better to do we followed.

Building work was taking place above the building, sand and cement lay in bags and on the ground. A huge pit had been dug for a drainage pipe that we negotiated via a plank! 

“Sorry for the mess,” he apologised leading Ippy and myself into what appeared to be his lounge.

All over India there are places called Homestays, peoples houses where they take in guests to boost their income. 

There are the occasional places that call them selves Homestays but have been build purely for guests, this Homestay however was indeed a home!

We were shown to a large room with two double beds pushed together making a huge sleeping platform. 

Sheets and a few bits of clothing were being hastily removed as we entered. 

It had an attached bathroom, a small side table and a large wardrobe that the bits of clothing were being pushed into.

It was a nice room and Ippy said so asking how much it would be to stay. 

“500 Rupees” the rickshaw driver beamed. 

Although Ippy hadn't been to India for a while this seemed quite a lot for a room. She told the nice man that we would go for a walk and think about it. He smiled back and led us out over the plank and cement.

The last time Ippy had been to India her budget for rooms had been rearer 300 Rupees a night, there was no harm having a look around she told me and as I wasn't the one walking in the hot sun who was I to argue!

We decided to head North along the only road that ran the length of the island parallel to the beach. 

We stopped occasionally to admire the flowers and to ask about rooms but by the time we had asked four times we were realising that 500 Rupees was cheep!

A simple room, all be it beautifully finished was going to cost us 1,500 Rupees a night!! In a simple resort (a complex of rooms around a courtyard) they were asking 2,000!

3km later we ran out of rooms and resorts!!

Even though the sun was now dropping in the sky slightly, it was still hot. What breeze there had been when we had started walking had stopped and of all the places we had seen none had been nicer than the Rickshaw drivers room and none had been worth what the people were asking for them.

After all a bed is a bed and with a beach so beautiful we were only planned to sleep in the room.

We returned to the 'T' junction and the smiling rickshaw man.

“You still have the room?” Ippy asked.

He beamed and carried our bags into the now spotless room.

We had arrived at Cherai Beach!

A Fox in India (Repeat)

They say everything happens for a reason …... some things we understand straight away, others take longer to realise and still others we never understand.

When Ippy reached up her hand and took me from the shelf in Porthcawl, I had no idea what would become of me.

I trusted I would find a good home with her as she had a kind smile.

Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine what an adventure awaited me ….....

Let me introduce myself. My name is Felurian Fox.

Some say I am just a fluffy toy, but others, those who know the way of the Fae know there is much to this world than meets the eye.

They say a soul has no beginning and no end, they say that time is just a concept of the mind.

What ever you personally believe eventually becomes your reality and so it is that I, Felurian, for whatever reason, exist.

But let us not dwell of the magic that fills our world, let me tell you a story about my adventure in INDIA!!

Many people have a fear of flying.

Stepping into a huge metal container puts them outside of their comfort zone. The lack of control, the unexplained or understood principle of engineering leaves them feeling vulnerable and afraid.

Luckily for me, I simply trust in the good of all things and so it was with excitement that I jumped into the top of Ippys travel bag and boarded a train that would take us to Birmingham airport to catch a flight to Deli.

Airports are huge places and can be a bit intimidating for the first time traveller.

 Ippy and I made it through all the scans and checks, directed from place to place by smiling faces.

Ippy pointed out that even if you don't know where to go or what to do, you can always just follow someone else or you can put a blank expression on your face and ask!

People always like to feel helpful and if someone looks lost they just love to help you out!

We went window shopping in the wonderfully lit stores that lined the edges of the terminal.



One amazing lady came over and offered to help us find a nice perfume for the trip after I had inadvertently sniffed loads of men's aftershave looking for a nice smell!

She sprayed us liberally when Ippy pointed out that this was the only time she ever wore perfume, I even got a little behind my ears!

The Lady was so nice that Ippy told her a poem.

We all had a lovely time chatting and laughing and when it was time to say goodbye we had a huge group hug.

I gave her a big wave from the back of the travel bag as Ippy went to look for our flight gate.

The flight was uneventful as such, Ippy slept most of the way only waking for a quick chat when our wonderful food arrived.

She soon went back to sleep as I gazed out of the window into the vast blackness of the sky. Clouds drifted by far below, stars shone high above and at some point I must have drifted off to sleep myself.

I awoke most confused. Through the window a huge full moon shone brightly!

Bright enough to illuminate the surface of the clouds far below with an eerie purple to blue tinge.

I woke Ippy to ask her if this was indeed the moon as when we had left the moon had been a small crescent in the sky.

She looked as confused as myself at this huge bluey ball hanging in the sky, she even took some pictures of it!

In the seats behind us someone else remarked on the strange phenomenon outside the window, until their travel companion pointed out that the windows didn't have shades and therefore automatically dimmed to a deep blue to protect us from the suns rays.

As the person behind us pressed the button to reduce the intensity of the blue, we did the same.

Daylight filled our eyes and I can tell you now, we both felt a little foolish.

In Deli we read and chatted for a while until our flight to Kochi was called.

Everyone got up and stood in a line that seemed to reach forever down the room and corridor but Ippy and myself just moved seats to sit right next to the gate and continued our reading.

When the last person reached the gate we put away the Kindle, stood up and walked straight through to the plane and our seat.

It is so easy when you know how!

Over a glass of refreshing orange juice on the plane, Ippy explained that although we had no idea where we would stay that night I wasn't to be concerned.

“Taxi drivers always know the best places,” she informed me, “We'll just ask one!”

Nearly all India Airports have prepaid Taxis available, you book them at a desk just inside the terminal before you leave.

If you don't know exactly where you are going they are very useful as they can save you from all the shouting and chaos outside.

Things were going really well until Ippy tried to pay with some rupees she had saved from her last trip.

“I am sorry,” said the nice lady,
“This is old money, we can not take old money. You must go change it with the Money Exchange or pay with your card.” 

We wandered back inside the main terminal, explaining to the customs man why we were going the wrong was as we went, but at the Money Exchange they also couldn't change the notes!!

In the confusion a travelling man with a suitcase offered to change all the small notes for a bigger one. Ippy looked confused as he handed her a 100 rupee note the same as the ones she held in her hand.

 “Those ones are OK,” he explained, “It is just the big notes that are out of date.”

 We added up all the notes that were still in use and realised we had plenty for the Taxi plus a nights stay somewhere.

Tomorrow we would go to the bank and change the old notes for new and everything would be fine.

True to Ippys word our Taxi driver knew of a few places we could stay, the first one was very nice but too expensive so he took us to another place.

This place had rooms and dormitories and the face of the manager when Ippy said she would sleep in the dorm was a picture!! He insisted we stayed in one of the twin rooms for a hugely reduced price!

We didn't need to unpack much as we would be leaving in the morning so we went for a walk to the corner and back.

Ippy smile was amazing as we walked the streets, the smells and sights were all new to me but to Ippy it was like being back in a familiar place, even though she had never been to North Kerela either!

We both slept well until 3am and then we both woke up and were wide awake!

It would take a while for our body clocks to change to India time, so we read for a while and then went back to sleep. 

Tomorrow we planned to head to the coast, this Ippy mumbled as she fell asleep, usually involved lots of asking and lots of busses!

Summer Part 2

I have just found this sitting on my lap top!! I so thought I had published it!! Ah well better late than never!! This should have been between Summer Part 1 and Kaya!! Sorry!!!

Summer Blog 2

Fun became the theme of 2016, we had a Pirate party in the Boat yard for Michaels Birthday complete with full Pirate clothes

plus a canoe to raid any nearby moored boats with.

The Boy John at Smugglers Cove is simply the best place to have a party.

The views are amazing, the fire pit huge and with just a little bit of bunting the place can easily be transformed into a Pirate venue! 

Inside the beautiful dry docked Boy John you has everything one needs from running water in the galley that comes complete with not only a bar area but a cooker, unlimited electric and a kitchen sink!

As everyone has vans we raided the reject pallet pile outside the gates of a local supplier, recycling all we could fit into the spaces between the canoe, food and beer supplies and of course the BBQ before heading down to our Pirate Pad for the weekend! 

At the boat yard we got the teenage boys to break them all up into usable fire wood while we older and more mature and sensible ones danced along the deck to sea shanty's and 'mood music' from various sources!!

The fire burnt until morning, which was just as well as we were still sitting around it at 5am!

Between the fire cooking, the buffet we had prepared and the BBQ we also had enough food to feed the five thousand which was also just as well as no-one felt like cooking the next day, so we all lived on fabulous left overs for two days!

*******

After the success of the Pirate Party we decided that Fancy dress themed Parties were definitely the way to go, so when Jamie decided on a Viking Birthday Party for mid July we all jumped at the idea.

This time were were even more prepared! 

Pallets were raided this time not only for a fire but also to be built into a boat complete with figure head.

After the excess food of the Pirate party food production was designated to set items and this time a location was found that was free!

As soon as we all finished work a convoy of vans could be spotted parking right at the edge of the dunes where soft sands reach the beach. 

The last tide had left a faint line in the sand about 2 foot away from our designated parking position, but to be safe we left one vehicle in the car park to pull us out in the morning if needed!

Again everyone got into the spirit of the Theme with axes, knives and unusual costume dress (mainly raided from Sophia's normal wardrobe!)

With the boat constructed, the figure head added, most of food and wine was shared and once our throats were correctly lubricated and our tummy's full we were ready for the sacrificial burning of the boat ceremony !!!

The idea had been that anything we wished to leave behind, things we wished to sow for the future were to be placed into the boat and the boat would be burnt releasing these items to the Universe! This would have worked very well if we had been sober enough to remember to prepare any of this!

Instead we threw grains of sand into the boat to represent our forgotten items and then with great pomp and ceremony, the boat was lifted and carried processionally to the burning fire.

A silence fell over us all as we lowered the boat onto the flames.

We watched as flames licked their way around the base igniting the paper stuffed cardboard flymo box boat .... 

... to be fair it was all rather dramatic!

A moment or three of contemplative thought fell upon us all

…. until with much Indian style hooping and hollering we danced around the burning inferno, waving axes and blades, arms and beer until we were all suitable exhausted!

The climax of the evening was the killing of the Deadly Chocolate Cake Caterpillar by Jamie armed only with an axe!!

After a fearsome battle he at last chopped of the Deadly Caterpillar’s head and in a moment of triumph …..

....... he ate the head in one bite!!!!

Again we watched the dawn creep into the sky before we found our berths and yes, I made it to work again on time!.......................

(Now the story of the Summer is complete!!)