Michael and I’s flight from Azerbaijan to India delivered us into this South Asian country during the wee hours of the morning. After a two drive from Cochin International Airport to our homestay, Arakal Heritage , located in the small coastal village of Mararikkulam North, it was 5:00am in the morning!
Abi, our host, met us at our taxi then walked us to our rustic villa that would be our home for the next six weeks!
Exhausted, we slept for most of our first full day. Once we woke, a few logistics had to be taken care of, mainly connection to the internet!!!
The internet at Arakal is fast and reliable! This was important to me because of uploading picture speed for my blog!
Abi helping Michael with the wifi password! The chair Michael is sprawled out on belonged to Abi’s grandfather!
Incense!
A Brahminy kite or red-backed sea-eagle in a tree next to our villa:
Later in the day we walked to the beach. The beach is a 5 minute walk from our villa. This stretch of the coastline beach is populated with fisherman.
The fishing boats:
Fishermen rinsing their nets:
House crows are constant companions to the fisherman.
Therefore, I was able to approach the crows to get close enough to take theses pictures!!
Walking back to our villa there are a group of boys playing cricket.
A young girl walking the path:
Later in the evening, Michael and I joined our homestay family’s birthday celebration for their eldest son, Tom.
Michael and I were part of their family birthday tradition! Tom cuts the first piece of cake, then shares the piece with everyone, meaning Tom held the piece of cake for everyone to have a bite!
Michael’s turn!
Here, on the deck of our villa, is our homestay family – Abi & Mini with their sons Tom and Davis along with Abi’s visiting cousin and his wife, whose names I can’t remember! Starting from the left is Davis, Mini, Abi, Abi’s cousin, Michael, Tom and Abi’s cousin’s wife.
Incredible India……..
S, <3 <3 <3
What adventures you are having! It looks incredible there! Your photos are great, particularly of the beach and sunset. Can I ask, do you use a camera or phone to take your photos?
Thank you!!! I truly enjoy capturing capturing special moments with my camera!!
I use three cameras!
Mainly, well, since Christmas as it was a gift from Michael – a Canon EOS 4000D.
I have a small, inexpensive Lumix waterproof camera for the beach and in the water.
And, I have my iPhone 6 as well that I use when I don’t feel like dragging my camera along – but I regret when I have to zoom in because those pictures will be blurry.
It sounds like you have all bases covered! Well, your photos are always great, so this equipment is obviously doing the trick. I want to get a waterproof camera, it would be great to be able to take photos in the water!
I have an inexpensive one that replaced a Fuji underwater camera lost a few years ago while trying to learn to surf in horrible conditions!!!
My new one, a small Panasonic Lumix, I haven’t yet tried snorkeling as I haven’t been anywhere to try it!!! Fingers crossed it will work! 🙂