Michael and I ride past the Kanichukulangara Devi Temple, almost daily. What interested me, what caught my attention was the gathering of people near the temple – seeming to be cooking food over little fire pits. We stopped one afternoon to check it out. What I’d later come to learn is that this Hindu temple…
Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Dolphins Swimming Off The Beach!!!!!!
Michael and I went to the beach for a mid-morning swim. The water was exceptionally calm, with large fishing boats much closer to shore than usual. Of course, as we swam out to enjoy the gentle waves and warm water, Michael chimed in with his usual mentioning of sharks, his way of teasing me! I…
Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Early Morning Meditation at the Beach
I found a quiet location for meditation, on the breakwater – away from the early, busy morning fish market at the beach. Popeye and Olive joined me as I walked the rocks to find a comfortable place to sit. The humidity was high, I was soaked with sweat and was pleased when I found the…
Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Early Morning Fish Market
One early morning, I decided to go to the beach to enjoy the sounds of the waves as I practiced meditation. I was eager for the usual solitude of “our” beach, because we’re usually the only ones there! Usual solitude: What I walked into that early morning was not peaceful solitude but a thriving fish market…
Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Moments
India. The names conjures up a dichotomy of images from the peaceful, spiritual ideal of yoga retreats and ashrams, to the chaos of crowded cities overflowing with crime, garbage and slums. Michael and I have been in the southwestern village of Mararikkulam North for almost a month, staying at a rustic, oceanside homestay called Arakal…
Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Sun & Surf & Crows & Eagles & Puppy Play!
Doing our five minute walk to the beach from our homestay, Arakal Heritage we were joined by our friends Popeye and Olive! Another friend joined us! She is younger than Popeye and Olive, lives at the beach under this cart and is full of feistiness!!! Michael was excited to play in the surf! Popeye wasn’t…
Kochi, Kerala, India – Into the Big City!
Michael and I were up and on the road early, to first have breakfast before starting the hour and a half scooter ride into the city of Kochi. On our way to have breakfast, we had to wait at the train crossing. The safety barriers are manually, well to be more literally correct – womanly…
Mararrikulam North, Kerala, India – Teaching Me About Gratitude and the Essence of Beauty
I’ve been struggling the last few days during our third of six weeks in this small, southwestern coastal village in Kerala, because I’m missing the western standards of cleanliness I’m accustomed to with the added ugliness of garbage littering the sides of roads and beaches. It’s not like I didn’t know India was this way….
Arthunkal & Chethy & Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Moments
During the third week of our six week stay in this southern part of India, Michael and I started to tire of the non-western standard of living and the garbage. However, we’ve heard the further north you travel, the dirtier India gets. So, we’re grateful to be in the “cleaner” part of India. Except, further…
Mararikulam, Kerala, India – Mararikulam Beach – Waves, Hot Sun, Garbage and a Curious Crow!
Michael and I returned to Mararikulam Beach the following day to play in the waves! Walking through the shanty huts selling various drinks, snacks and touristy items…. A young woman prepares a coconut for drinking: This area has a mix of Christian and Hindu religion. Not far from a Hindu shrine further up the beach…
