Inconsequential

Yesterday, I took the bus from Kochi airport to Fort Kochi. It ended up taking about two hours through rush-hour traffic. Whilst waiting for the bus I met a fellow Gujarati, who kindly paid my bus fair. He had flown back to India having worked in Australia for three years and was impatient to get … Continue reading / view photos Hello Kerala

After a full day of travelling yesterday, I fancied a bit of exercise. I asked the guesthouse owner to recommend a place for yoga. He said he’d take me there on his motorbike in the morning. So I was up early for a 7.30 class. When I got there, everyone seemed pretty flexible! At the … Continue reading / view photos Fort Kochi

Now that I’m safely ensconced in Kochi, I thought I’d close the Mysore chapter with one last reflection about it. Being full, my first hotel in Mysore couldn’t further extend my stay. So I checked into The Mansion 1907, a hostel full of charm and character. During the peak days, the dorm beds cost a … Continue reading / view photos Reflections on Mysore

Here’s a good idea – instead of having everyone carry travel adapters around the world, design a socket that takes plugs from other countries! Oh and throw in a USB socket too. Appropriately at the airport in India’s IT capital, Bangalore 👍🏽

Since I’ve got a few hours until my flight, I was looking around the airport and saw these Tibetan Buddhists. This one in particular made me smile as he combined traditional dress with Nike trainers and an iPad! I asked him if I could take his photo. So he put his iPad down to pose. … Continue reading Friendly Tibetan monks

I was very happy to be spoilt for choice at this vegan friendly restaurant in Gokulam (yoga central in Mysore). I opted for the vegan thali, which they refilled without being asked 😋. View photos Depth N Green

I went for a stroll in the cool morning and ended up in a large colourful market full of food, flowers, dyes and knick-knacks. A friendly but persistent man kept popping up trying to sell me a recorder and wooden snake! I couldn’t shake him off and in the end pleaded 🙏🏽with him! I continued … Continue reading / view photos Would you like to buy a recorder and wooden snake?

Here are some lights for the festive season! I hope you find some peace and calm, or whatever gives you joy, at this time of the year. Every Sunday 100,000 bulbs come on at Mysore Palace. I specifically stayed until today to see this. When the lights came on at 7, the crowd gasped. It … Continue reading / view photos Brilliant Mysore Palace

I had an intense one-to-one yoga session with Badri himself. They’re quite keen on yoga in Mysore. I was thankful for his patience whilst simultaneously stretching me. I’m sure my four previous yoga classes in the UK and one in Japan helped 😄. That said, I’m going to be sore tomorrow 😧

I did another tour with the excellent Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (a Govt. of Karnataka Undertaking). The Shimsa tour covered temples and waterfalls. I am completely templed out! That said, the Kesava Temple in Somanathapur was alluringly mysterious; my favourite. Built in the 13th century, it’s an example of the Hoysala style of architecture. … Continue reading / view photos Shimsa tour