Had trouble getting on tbe blog so have missed a few days. All is well with us and we are currently in Kanniyakumari, which is the southern most tip of the Indian sub-continent. It is where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean meet so has sunrise/sets over 3 seas all at once! We arrived here yesterday afternoon (Wed) after a very long bus journey from Madurai. Fortunately, there were no hills involved so it wasn't too bad, but we were both very glad to get off and stretch and see the sea.
Just off the mainland coast are 2 small islands, one with a gigantic statue (of some Tamil Nadu poet whose name escapes me) and the other with a temple (of course!!). Having got up just after 5 to watch the sun rise - well worth it, by the way - we decided to take the ferry across to visit the temple. In true Indian style, this old, rusty tub turned up and the mob descended on it like flies round a honey pot. Interestingly, or was it worryingly!, everyone collected a life jacket which they carried on to the ferry and left at the other side. Given Patsy's "love" of sailing, this did not auger well!!!! Once there, we visited the temple then joined the queue for the return trip. Once again, life jackets were grabbed and arms and elbows used to muscle your way to a seat. We set off on this trip which we discovered was via the statue island, making it that bit longer and that much more rocky. Phil was by the window, welcoming the sea breeze... there are, of couse, no panes of glass in the windows... when we both got soaked (along with a fair few other passengers sat on the right side) due to the spray being thrown up as we rocked all over the place. Terra firma has rarely been so welcome under Patsy's feet! Still, it was worth the trip,
Kanniyakumari is a pilgrim centre for Indians and, judging by their antics this morning, many of them had never seen the sea, let alone got wet in it. Inevitably, there were scenes of splashing, bathing, praying, dancing ... There's such a child like quality to it that you can't help but smile at them as they frolic in ankle deep water. Many took advantage of the water to wash not only themselves but also their clothes. This too takes on a ritualistic scene as husband and wife, friends, maybe even strangers, each hold the ends of a couple of saris and leave them to flap in the breeze, spraying anyone who stays too close before drying in the warming rays of the sun.
Tomorrow we are starting our journey up the west coast, albeit with a short hop to Trivandrum or Kovalam area to spend a day or so chillin' at the beach. Sorry, don't mean to rub it in but it is in the upper 30s here by day.... lovely!!
Take care all - drop us a note and say hi ... love PnP xx
Look after yourselves Love Marlene xx