An artist in South India | Rickshaw Travellers

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There’s nothing we love more than hearing from travellers while they’re still on the road, and these postcards from Kerala made our week. Emma and her wife had dreamed of India for years, and their trip took in the best of the south: colourful, layered Kochi, the misty tea hills of Munnar, the spice gardens and wildlife of Thekkady, and a slow drift through the Alleppey backwaters. Their words capture what we love most about Kerala, from the visual overload to the quiet moments on the water and the people who make the journey. Here’s their trip, in their own words.

Published onTuesday 10 November

Written byEmma

Part 1 of our trip

India! How I have longed to visit …

We’ve started in Kochi (Cochin) and it’s an amazing, colourful, vibrant city – you have not disappointed! A wonderful mix of hustle and bustle – Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial pasts rubbing shoulders with Keralan traditions; a huge array of street art, various modes of transport, the obligatory tuk-tuk ride of course, and galleries with cafes everywhere!

Hot, humid and uncomfortable at times, a refreshing ginger soda or cooling watermelon juice were never hard to find, especially as Kerala is pretty much a dry state (no booze!). Anglo-style places that do have a licence did not sell on Friday and Saturday whilst we were there due to a national holiday. Next stop … the mountains!

India - Part II

This really has been a trip of distinct differences – city, mountains and backwaters. Tea country and spice plantations. Mist-covered hills, surrounding bonsai-like quilted green tea plants; interspersed with vibrant pops of colour from the abundance of flowers and birdlife.I cannot over-state the feast for the eyes, visual overwhelm enough – it is more than I could have expected! I do feel like the extent of my vocabulary is ‘amazing’ and ‘oh wow’

Munnar: Sitting high up in the hills - views stretching out across endless mountains below for the most spectacular sunset colours - storm clouds with beautiful orange/pink glow of sunset far beyond 😍

Thekaddy. Home of the tiger reserve for a complete wildlife fix, plus gorgeous spice plantations and the best keralan meal was had with my cooking class (highly recommend). Next and final stop … the backwaters!

India - Part III, and you have not disappointed!!

Our final leg of the journey - the Alleppey backwaters. It’s really difficult to put into words these last few days - peaceful, chilled, tranquil, serene, yet you feel like an imposter amongst the hard graft of everyday life here.

People eeking out an existence amongst the rice fields, much of the area lower than sea level - they truly are at the mercy of the gods, which maybe explains the sheer volume of religious artifacts and prayer structures and offerings dotted about. But there is something insanely tranquil about floating along the waterways, this ‘the Venice of the east’ - and you really can see the parallels. Numerous local ferries, and boats taking locals across canals, jetties along the banks, houseboats like giant amphibian creatures … it’s difficult to put into words.

We’ve had the most amazing time in Kerala. Sudesh our wonderful driver throughout, shielding us from the ravages of the crazy roads; David at Rickshaw Travel for bearing with us adapting our itinerary last minute - I cannot recommend this Brighton travel agency enough should you fancy India!! And everywhere we’ve stayed along the way - thank you!!