The hotel parking lot was busy this morning with so many people leaving to catch flights at the airport. It took us so much time to get through the airport security line, that we arrived at our departure gate when they were boarding the plane. Paul and I sat in an exit row against we could stretch out our legs. The captain on this 3-hour flight was female. I got the opportunity to briefly chat with her when we walked off the plane in Kochin.
We were met by Anuja, our attractive female guide. Anuja was wearing a beautiful red outfit. I was intrigued by her red draped pants called patiala that she said were worn in northern India. She wore a tunic over the pants and a long neckscarf draped down her back.
On the way to the houseboats, we stopped at a supermarket to get snacks and soft drinks. Then we made a stop at the liquor store. Alcohol is strictly regulated in this southern state of Kerala.
Kerala has been a communist state since it’s first election in 1957. It is the most educated part of India. The cow is not holy here. People eat beef. A fewer percentage of people are Hindu here.
A couple of hours after landing here, we got off the bus and rode tuk-tuks to the water where we boarded one of three houseboats. Anuja assigned Paul, Ellen, and me to be with her on a three-bedroom boat.
The two couples who travel together were assigned to a two-bedroom houseboat, and three of the single ladies were assigned to another three-bedroom boat. The boats started cruising through the water. We sat in sturdy wooden armchairs and relaxed while drinking coconut milk out of coconut shells.
A short time later we ate a delicious lunch. The food is a lot different from northern India. Only one dish had curry in it. The curry here is different from the north. We ate rice with a pineapple sauce over it, chicken, fish, some small crispy fried veggies, and some rice noodle pudding for dessert. Anuja said that it is proper to eat with our right hands, but forks were provided too.
After the three houseboats were docked, we all walked with Anuja along the river bank. She pointed out fruit trees and the colorful vegetation as we walked past the homes of the residents. Fathers carrying young children walked by us. We saw both Christian and Hindu influence here.
After we returned to the boat, everyone got ready to eat dinner at 7:00 on our boat. Some of us had a Happy Hour eating deep fried shrimp appetizers on one of the other houseboats. Then we all had a pleasant dinner on our boat.