awards

I get up early and go for a walk along the beach before it gets too hot to move. It's a great time of day, lots of people are exercising along the front, walking with arms swinging, doing press ups in the sand, yoga type stretches and so on, it must be a world wide phenomenon. Here it is mostly men but some ladies in saris flutter by. Its Sunday today and there were early games of cricket and footie in progress. Then its time for breakfast and another hard day by the pool at this beautifully restored heritage hotel interspersed with bouts of watching cricket. We have been lucky enough to have had a TV in our room for both the England matches, the first England v Holland and now today a big one, England v India at Bangalore. India won the toss and are batting well, Tendulkar got 115 before being caught by Yardy.

Its difficult to believe our seven week trip is nearly over. Tomorrow we move back to Cochin ready to fly out on Wednesday. We have had an amazing time, everything has exceeded our expectations.

The only thing I think we would do differently is miss out the rice boat trip, which is so expensive and not very ecologically friendly. I think we would take a small boat up the narrow canals to look at canalside life and not worry about spending the night on the water.

All our various types of accommodation have been great. We would definitely do more home stays having experienced the kind hospitality of Anil and his family at the Royal Mist in Munnar and the dear retired teachers near Kottayam. Best coffee, breakfast and veranda award goes to Villa Jacaranda. We enjoyed the space of Kingfisher House in Kovalam and the washing machine! Best jungle setting award was the Cardamon Club outside Kumily. Best unspoilt beach location has to go to Marari Villas, there we had the delicious dilemma of beach or pool, pool or beach. Best style and ambience award goes to where we are now, The Raheem Residency - the room we have has a walk in luggage/wardrobe room which is fab as your luggage isn't strewn around the room looking as though you are about to up sticks and go any moment. Its owned by an Irish woman and two Indian men. Here, we are neat, tidy and oh so comfortable. Best entertainment award was found at the Old Harbour Hotel in Cochin where we listened spell bound under the stars to some great Indian music every night. Best value award has to go to the Indian Coffee House where we can have lunch and mineral water for both of us for less than half the cost of one beer in the hotel!



Adjusting to home life back in the UK is going to be tricky!