Sarah, Sarah and I have come to Kollam to spend the weekend. Just to clarify, one Sarah is Canadian Sarah from Avvai Ashram and one Sarah is French Sarah!!! (Very confusing...).
This morning we went on a backwater tour!! We decided to go on a canoe trip because it sounded like the most relaxing (and eco-friendly) one. And it really was paradise just gliding through the narrow rivers, just listening to the water parting as the canoe passed by and the sounds of birds singing...occasionally accompanied by beautiful melodies from the guy who was rowing...
We stopped in several villages on the way to watch what the locals were doing which was really interesting. We got off at a little island in the middle of the lake and the rowing man climbed up a really high coconut tree and got us all a coconut. He chopped it open and we got to drink the (delicious) juice and then ate the coconuty scrappings, mmm. We saw a canoe being built (with coconut and cashe waterproofing!), coconut oil processing, coir king, sand purification etc etc. We travelled on a canoe with 2 other English girls which we met and the guide gave us each a hibiscus to put in out hair.
The other girls had ponytails so they just stuck them in their bobbles but I didn't so I had to improvise and just tucked it behind my ear. When we got to the first village lots of the men were pointing and staring at me and jabbling in Malayalam to each other. As soon as we left the village our guide told me that it would be best to put the flower on the top of my head instead because apparently in Kerela it is tradition that mad people wear hibiscus behind their ears!!!!! He could have told me before...heehee. Was a great trip though, and I think one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen!!
We then went to the 'All Spice' restaurant for lunch which was not spicy at all!! I had a veggie burger and then a hot chocolate fudge super duper sundae, it was the most delicious ever!!
Keep posting and let me know how you all are!
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. Going on a bar crawl next week dressed up as skydivers to raise money, although I think making and then surviving a whole night with a parachute may be a little difficult!!
lots of love
lizzie
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