Memories of India

David just came across this YouTube video explaining a little about the Indian Head Wobble which has so fascinated us during this trip. With thanks to Madeleine Doherty for posting: Not something we've been able to emulate despite several hilarious attempts among our tour group.

We've had two lovely Guides on this tour, one showing us the North and the other showing us the South of India.  However neither Guide was permitted to accompany us into the airport. When we got to Cochin we were met by a local man who was supposed to facilitate our check in for the internal flight to Mumbai (Bombay) where we had to change terminals for our international flights back to Heathrow. The internal flight from Cochin to Bombay was with Air India and the luggage allowance was just 15kgs as opposed to the luggage allowance on the International flight back to London with Virgin Airlines (23kgs). Having been caught out on the journey to the South earlier in the tour (and charged quite a lot for excess baggage) we'd all reduced the weight of our suitcases by stuffing as much as possible into our hand luggage and wearing/carrying some of the heavier items. Our helpful local man took all our passports and tickets and got the check in staff to put all hold luggage through in...

Our last breakfast in India.     I misread the time on my watch (should have put my glasses on) so we were up and about an hour before breakfast started but this was brewing in the Restaurant and it was delicious.     I had 3 cups and it certainly cleared the sinuses.   In fact the cold symptoms disappeared rapidly (although the cold may just have run its course I guess) Chukka Kaappi - Its made with coffee powder, crushed peppercorns, cumin, basil and lots of fresh ginger - all boiled together and strained then sweetened slightly.    Very spicy and comforting      One last walk around the gardens photographing the wildlife.     More of the large squirrels here, I think they're called Malabar Squirrels and a Wagtail - with freshly caught breakfast This place isn't called Tall Trees for nothing .... and many of them are very old Another lovely lady gardener The restaurant is 5000 above Mean Sea Level (which doesn'...

An interesting drive to the top of the world .... single track hair pin bends (with a few passing places) and several times our driver had to manouevre back & forth to negotiate the tighter turns as the coach was too long to get round in one move. But the views were worth it.  Acres of tea plants everywhere.   From my school days I'd envisaged neat terraces on the mountainsides but these were planted on rolling hills rather than 'shelves'.   Lots of tall trees interspersed to help stop soil erosion in the monsoon season Tea picking .... we're told these ladies work from 7am till 5.30pm for approx £2.50 per day.  Have to assume there are some other company perks to make it worthwhile! this is what all the fuss is about:  Our familiar teas are made from the tender tips/small leaves.  Indian Chai is made from powdered leaves We are staying in 2 storey bungalow accommodation at a Hill Station.   Not for the faint hearted or those with i...