Mararikulam, Kerala, India – Our Inauguration Into a Traditional Inauguration!

As Michael and I arrived at our usual breakfast spot, PDDP People’s Restaurant, there was something afoot as the balcony above the restaurant was busy with people and decorated with fresh flower garlands. As we finished our breakfast, we noticed a gathering of men in the parking lot.  But this gathering was not typical. In the…

Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Moments

Here are moments captured during the fifth week of our six week stay here….. Happiness and smiles from young girls on a Ladybird! Lone coconut farmer! He’d just descended the coconut tree, using that metal contraption leaning against it.  He then gathered the coconuts he hacked off the tree, that were scattered around its base….

Mararikkulam North, Mararikulam, Arthunkal & Alappuzha, Kerala, India – Catholic Churches & Hindu Temples

This southwestern area of Kerala has many Catholic churches and Hindu temples. We think there is an ashram on the way to Alappuzha, but none in this immediate area. India is the birthplace of yoga – and there is absolutely nothing to be seen here related to the practice of yoga!  It has been a…

Mararrikulm North, Kerala, India – Of Scooters & Transformers

This is my husband Michael’s first contribution to my blog!!! He’s an electrician who can’t help but notice transformers in whatever country we travel! Without further ado, Michael’s first blog……..enjoy!!!  🙂  <3 Six full weeks in India, but I wasn’t afraid. I wasn’t afraid of being bored or worried about what I might do to…

Alappuzha, Kerala, India – “The Notary Express” ~ Our Bollywood Movie!

I call this blog our Bollywood movie because our backstreet dealings with notaries in the Municipal Rest House in the city of Alappuzha sure felt like one!  It had all the drama ingredients to make a Masala, a Bollywood movie. All that was missing was a song-and-dance number!  The mixed spice ingredients that made our movie was intrigue,…

Mararikkulam North, Kerala, India – Sad Afternoon at the Beach

This was about as heartbreaking as can be. There was a dead baby dolphin washed up on the beach. We’re far from marine biologists, and unable to tell what killed this precious little sea mammal. There were scratches on her little beaked nose.  Marks on her dorsal fin and pectoral flippers. The beach is a…