Kerala Weekend!

On Saturday, Riyas and Yasil (his friend since elementary school) drove us up through the mountains and up to the tea plantations (more photos in the post below). We also visited the Bandipur National Tiger Preserve/ Forest where we encountered elephants (first on alone, and then a group of five--right by the roadside!). We also saw water buffalo and monkeys. The drive was interesting because of the random “tolls” collected at the border of each state, but when the “tollkeepers” saw Sarah, Sandra and me in the car, they waved us on without incident or cost. Interesting dynamic.

We continued up the mountains on a pass with 36 hairpin turns--we knew the number and the fact that they were hairpin turns because each had a sign with the countdown and “hairpin turn” on it! At the top of the mountain, we were treated to a beautiful park and a view over rolling hills and jagged rocks.

The trip took us through three states; now we can say that we are well-traveled in India!

The photo you see here is from Sunday, when we visited Connolly's Plot, a teak plantation in Kerala. There is an amazing suspension bridge that crosses the river and here's me, smack dab in the middle of it! You can't tell from the photo (or maybe you can), but it was 99.9 percent humidity in the hot Indian sun. The view can't be beat, though!

Later that day, we went to the Teak Museum and visited with Emily, who joined us from her stay in Malappuram. It's so evident how the people of Kerala take great pride in their state; high literacy rates, cleaner rivers and land areas, smiles all around. It's great to be part of this community!