Pic of the Day – Backwater Sunset

I’m getting caught up on stories and photos that I’ve just not had the time to post. This is one of my favorite shots from India, taken at sunset one evening last month in the backwaters of Kerala.

Backwater Sunset

Pic of the Day – The Vodaphant

While in Kerala, I actually saw an elephant that was working for a living. Up until now, I have seen wild elephants, temple elephants and elephants that you can ride, but never an actual working elephant. Naturally I had to take a photo. I like the composition with the elephant being used as an old fashioned heavy hauler, combined with the endless Vodaphone ads.

The Vodaphant

A little nature

One of our side trips in Kerala was to Athirapilly Falls. It is a 30m (100ft) high waterfall in the foothills of the Western Ghats. It if fabulously gorgeous there; with the waterfall tucked in between hills covered with lush rain forest.

Athirapilly Falls

This place is not on the usual list of must see places for western tourists, but it is popular with domestic tourists. Despite the backdrop, it is not so much a nature experience as a social experience. Welcome to Indian mass domestic tourism.

The Trailhead at Athirapilly

Oh yeah!

Kingfisher Tip

We sat down to have lunch at a restaurant in Fort Cochin. Naturally, being on the coast in Kerala, we ordered many different fish dishes. The girls ordered their sweet lassis. Sammy and Holger ordered lemon sodas. I asked the waiter if they had cold coffee.

No. Would you like a Kingfisher beer Sir?

I did not see beer on the menu and was a bit surprised. Kingfisher is a common domestic beer here in India.

Sure, I’ll take a Kingfisher.

A short while later, our drinks were served. Everyone got a glass with their drink, except me. I got a mug and a stoneware teapot. I was a bit puzzled, until Holger pointed out that the teapot contained beer. Later, when we got the bill, there was no mention of a beer. There was an interesting entry however.

Tip. RS 125

A cold tip on a hot day really hits the spot.

Kingfisher

It seems that the restaurant did not have a liquor license. I guess this is how they skirted around it.