After a gruelling four hour drive through early monsoon showers, and bumpy pot-holed and landslide ridden roads, we arrived at the Gruenberg Tea Plantation Haus which was to be our home for two days. The three storey building set in a valley in Munnar – a hill station in Kerala, India is surrounded by tea…
Category: India
Backwaters Adventure
I heard of Kerala’s Backwaters for the first time from my 93 year-old grandfather who was at that time, slowly slipping into early stages of dementia. “I used to sell pots from a boat,” he announced one afternoon. I was puzzled but didn’t heed his comments. He had just eaten his second lunch, because he…
Malabar Monsoon Adventure
As we were boarding the flight for our two week trip to Kerala, I scrolled through the weather report and was a little concerned that rain was expected throughout our trip that included a drive up to the highlands in Munnar, the forests of Thekkady and the backwaters of Allappuza in addition to Fort Kochi….
Church By the Water
The St Mary’s Forane Syro Malabar Catholic Church was packed with devotees when we stopped by Sunday afternoon. Many made their way to mass on passenger boats that ply the backwaters of Alleypey. This church has been rebuilt several times on its foundation that was constructed in 427 AD. It serves the community in a…
Sunrise: Alleyppey, Kerala
Kerala is well known for its beautiful backwaters. It is one of the best ways to take in the scenes of urban and rural life in this South Indian state. The backwaters are an intricate knit of rivers, lakes, islets, canals and streams that pass through towns, villages, paddy fields, forests, markets and houses of…
Performing Arts: Kathakali
Prep for traditional Kerala Kathakali performance. Stage make-up session starts one hour before the performance. It involves the application of several layers – base and colours made out of crushed natural coloured stones mixed in coconut oil. The performer applied his own make up first and is later aided by another artist. Before the performance…
Maria Dass the World 