{"id":959,"date":"2015-04-02T12:55:56","date_gmt":"2015-04-02T12:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scottysblog.com\/back-from-india\/"},"modified":"2015-04-02T12:55:56","modified_gmt":"2015-04-02T12:55:56","slug":"back-from-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottysblog.com\/home\/back-from-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Back from India…"},"content":{"rendered":"

I've actually been getting some (very minor, given my non-vast readership) mild abuse as it's been a long since I last posted.<\/p>\n

So here it is – the first of two posts on our lovely trip.<\/p>\n

Stage 1 – India. Or 'In-ja' as seems to be the way to say it these days, with that magical waggle of the Indian head which just might be saying 'yes' but then again, could just as well be saying 'no'….<\/p>\n

The first few days were a bit average due to Mysore being somewhat over-sold by Lonely Planet (more Eyesore than Mysore) plus a cock up over our second hotel which saw a slight mismatch in expectations from our anticipated stay in a boutique treehouse with plunge pool overlooking the tea hills (at Coffee Country Resort in Wayanad) to a somewhat more grungy potential stay at the all-too-similarly named Coffee County Premium Homestay. Despite the lovely owners, we got ourselves transferred elsewhere, leading to a right shenanigan and HOURS of extra driving round the pretty but windy hills, as we headed off to pick up James Woodhead (ex-AV chum also travelling in Kerala) for a day of rafting, eating curry with right hands only, climbing a bloody great rock to see some caves (I gave up halfway and was then photographed with endless Indian families until the boys came back down), and then a splendid-o dinner and lots of G&Ts, honouring James by opening our one back of Walkers Sensations in celebration of his presence.<\/p>\n

James was our turning point as all destinations south of where we hooked up sent the trip rocketing northwards. More interesting stuff to see, wild elephants around the roads, crazy festivals with the Wall of Death, potion sellers, trinket vendors, and yes – even more decorated elephants.<\/p>\n

Ended up on a stunning houseboat in the Keralan backwaters, cruising past paddy fields, temples (oh my god, I just wrote 'templates' – Freudian),before heading back to lovely Cochin.<\/p>\n

And finally we caught up with an old friend on our last night in Bangalore – he is a brave man to live there (especially as – highly amusingly – he doesn't like anything hotter than a Butter chicken curry, poor sod).<\/p>\n

Photos, as ever, for your delectation:<\/p>\n

\"P1150133\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"P1150012\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"P1140857\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"P1140746\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"P1140698\"<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I've actually been getting some (very minor, given my non-vast readership) mild abuse as it's been a long since I last posted. So here it is – the first of two posts on our lovely trip. Stage 1 – India. 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