Palakkad – The Extraordinary under the façade of the Ordinary
Houseboat Experience in Kerala
The houseboat experience in Kerala is chief among the many attractions in Kerala, God’s Own Country. A few of these attractions are nature at its greenest, mountains, lakes, beaches, Ayurveda, culture and traditions… Oh, and food… Let me start by talking of the backwaters of Kerala. Where a houseboat experience is simply a must-do.
The backwaters...
Trichinopoly Cigar, Churchill, World War II, Sherlock Holmes and Trichy in India
Trichinopoly Cigar, the one that Churchill loved and Sherlock Holmes used was from a town in British India that lent its name to it - Trichy What was it that Winston Churchill, Sherlock Holmes and the average Balaji in South India loved? The Trichie or Tritchie. The Trichinopoly Cigar which is a type of cheroot that...
KudaKkallu – Ancient Umbrella Stones of Kerala
The KudaKkallu are ancient umbrella shaped burial sites in Kerala Kerala is located in the southern part of India. Stunning natural beauty, beaches and a very relaxed way of life typify this land. For this reason, it has become a staple for tourists visiting South India. Many other things make it a much-visited place. For instance,...
A Bazaar that connects Burma and Madras
Burma and Madras have traditionally been linked by the British rule, people and customs. They still are...
Burma- A mix of the old and the new
This is a picture that I had clicked of a monk in one of the temples that I visited in Burma (current Myanmar). He was delivering a sermon under a makeshift...
Kolukkumalai – Highest Tea Estate in the World
Kolukkumalai! The highest tea estate in the world at more than 7000 feet above sea-level. Some of the best teas of the world with a very distinctive flavor… Plus, the panoramic views of the rugged mountains and plains around it as a bonus… And its in India, less than 40 kms from the bustling hill-station of...
Bull Surfing in Kerala
Bull surfing is an old and obscure cultural practice. This underlines the man-animal relationship. It is a part of the Maramadi Festival in Kerala, South India Surfing is all about the sea, water, pristine nature and a single person’s effort to control and ride the waves, right? Yes, but not always. Think muddy paddy fields, oxen and...