well he was the last one signed in. I wonder what his password was? Armageddon, forbidden fruit, one more rib one trillion less brain ce…. no better not go there!
(Didnt mean it girls)
Anywho, today has been just LUVERLY. I took a rickshaw to the back waters which was both exhilerating and incredibly bum numbing filling vibrating rough roadster going. It was like crossing a quarry on a BMX from 1979, not that I had one nor have I crossed a quarry but thats what my mind made of the roads.
The canoes are absolutely beautiful things made from planks of local wood, sewn together with twine and the gaps patched with coconut fibre weaving called coir. Then finished by a coat of fish oil, phew, and a second coat of cashew nut oil. Mine was about 7 metres long and i was alone, but with a guide and given a paddle.
I saw water snakes, ‘ickle fishes, bald eagles, clove trees, banana trees, pinapple trees, black pepper plants, hibiscus, and water lilies which were made into a necklace for me. Not very manly but still very interesting. I drank from coconuts, watched coir making (rope from coconut fibre) drank chai, ate some green plant thing, saw kingfishers, boated through a tiger prawn farm, ellagantly dodged some low bridges, unellegantly jumped over some other bridges only to just catch the boat the other side and played with cattle, ducks, hens and had a jolly time. Oh and was shown a plant that when you touch it it shrivels up and bows down. Does seem fair really, after all Im so much bigger. If a 500 foot giant vegatable poked me Id probably pee myself and cower quite a lot.
Then back at the rickshaw the inevitable, ‘wanna go somewhere very beautiful’ cropped up for a mere 500 rupees…haggled down to 350 and set off. The ferry was planks of wood tied across two boats, but once over the river the ride to the Temple began. Now the Temple was completely missable but the little monkeys running through the trees were different to those in the Sunderbun and very cute. The babies were cautious but eventually they took bananas from your hand and we were happy, Ajay and I. Ajay then attempted another 500 rupee ‘deal of the week’ but I suggest a trip back to Kollam. On route there was a festival begining in a shrine and two efalumps were there, apparently 50 will be there tomorow but these were fully grown monsters and really should be admired for the skill and dexterity of their trunks and their magnificance. They seem to have such an endearing quality, their eyes are so small and fabulously lashed while their movements are calculated and calm giving the impression of sublime contentment which only belies the truth, they apparently can turn very nasty if they choose.
Finally over a bridge and a great view over the Chinese fishing nets (I know….wrong continent!) and dinner of fried and grilled prawns in prawn curry with pita breads and prawns, mixed with a small prawn salad.
Ive just finished by a haircut and a shopping trip, believe it or not I’ve bought a shirt made in Nottingham, England. I thought I ought to be a little cosmopolitan.
Brand labels over here (real brand labels from reputable shops, not the fake stuff) still only go for peanuts.
I should really say for cashew nuts since this is the Capital of cashew nuts for the world.
Anyway Im off now and maybe not update for a little while as the computers are REALLY slow.
What to have for tea….might give prawns in cashewnut curry a go…
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