Southern India taste test - would that be hot, or extra hot?

[Lat34]

Looking forward to this TR! (really enjoyed your previous safari adventures).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Might be dependent on the airline… but dimming the lights - certainly on Qantas - I don’t think makes it easier for the crew. They do frequent runs through the cabin with water and snacks and having to do that in the dark one would suspect is much harder.

Looking forward to the trip report. The itinerary looks exhausting!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Highly recommend not going to India if you've never been. Likely to fall in love with the place and return

Enjoy! I'm jealous.

As someone of Indian background I have three comments to people thinking of going to India:

• India is not for beginners
• You either love it or hate it, there is no in-between
• The cities are VERY different to the rural areas.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

• You either love it or hate it, there is no in-between

Interesting point… but I think wisely spending a few extra dollars here and there can change the ‘hate’ into ‘love’!

It’s fine to want to ‘immerse yourself’ by travelling non-air-conditioned 3rd class. Which is fine for the first half hour. But spending a little extra for 1 or 2AC gives respite and time to recharge before heading off on the next adventure.

We landed in Kolkata one time to be confronted by a throng of taxi touts. Ended up in a less than ideal situation and it kind of ruined the morning, Pre-booking cars on arrival after that meant no stress, arriving relaxed, and a positive attitude for the rest of the day!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Interesting point… but I think wisely spending a few extra dollars here and there can change the ‘hate’ into ‘love’!

I think regardless of whether you go "top end" or " budget backpacker", the extremes of experiences is same. I've never met anyone who's been to India and was blasé about it, a bit "yeah it was alright"... They've either absolutely hated it and couldn't wait to leave, or enjoyed it thoroughly. It's a very polarising place.

For myself I used to go back when I was younger often to see distant relatives and the cities, even 30+yrs ago I couldn't stand, noisy, dirty, polluted but within hours of being on a train or bus away from them, into the countryside and it felt completely different. I was lucky that my relatives all live on the coastal plains and the ocean, hills and rivers were never far away, so for me I've always enjoyed travel to India. That said, it's been sometime I've visited. and I'm not sure now that I'm older I would cope as well.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think regardless of whether you go "top end" or " budget backpacker", the extremes of experiences is same. I've never met anyone who's been to India and was blasé about it, a bit "yeah it was alright"... They've either absolutely hated it and couldn't wait to leave, or enjoyed it thoroughly. It's a very polarising place.

Agree, that’s probably a fair assessment! My point was that the difference between loving it and hating it could be a few dollars a day! Just by getting some respite here and there.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Agree, that’s probably a fair assessment! My point was that the difference between loving it and hating it could be a few dollars a day! Just by getting some respite here and there.

Oh absolutely! I despise travel influencers, but have seen a few who end up in a general unreserved train crowded amongst the farmer carrying their wares onboard, then complaining about how awful it was, when they could've (as you rightly point out) for a few dollars more, simply travelled on a reserved air conditioned sleeper express. Then again, they may well be doing it for the clicks anyhow...

Coming from Australia, the dollar does go a long way in India, and certainly is not a place to penny pinch for the sake of it.

 

[Daver6]

To me, what stands out in India are the people. Like most folks, Indians love their country and take a lot of pride. The difference is how warm and welcoming the locals are and want to make sure that a visitor in their country feels welcome and is having a good time. I don't mean the hotel staff who are paid to do that but just every day people, wherever you are.

 

[bPeteb]

Might be dependent on the airline… but dimming the lights - certainly on Qantas - I don’t think makes it easier for the crew. They do frequent runs through the cabin with water and snacks and having to do that in the dark one would suspect is much harder.

Looking forward to the trip report. The itinerary looks exhausting!

I'd agree, it would make it more difficult, but what is the reason then? They did walk though pretty regularly. I really just don't get the darkness thing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'd agree, it would make it more difficult, but what is the reason then? They did walk though pretty regularly. I really just don't get the darkness thing.

I think you summed it up… it reduces glare on IFE screens, and it provides a more comfortable environment for people dozing off. Yes… there are eye masks, but after eating a big meal sometimes I feel a bit sleepy and just nod off anyway. I know plenty of those around me do to!

It’s an endless debate the ‘shades up v shades down’… I think there’s even a dedicated thread for it somewhere here on AFF!

 

[bPeteb]

Day 2,Jan 28, Bengaluru-Kochi

We both managed to sleep quite well. We were flying IndiGo down to Kochi. Due to the issues they were/are having with the new national rostering regulations, our original 11am flight had been cancelled and been replaced with one at 1pm. This meant we had a lovely leisurely breakfast.

I'm not sure that we will get used to this smog. View from our room



For us in the west tower, breakfast was at Vista and it was a lovely space that opened out onto a lawn area. The buffet was extensive, and there was a cooking station that prepared both eggs and some Indian breakfast meals.



I had a very delicious dosa masala



some more of the beautiful Taj



It was a quick walk back across to terminal 1.

You pass through an initial security check where you have to show your boarding pass. Even though we’d somehow managed to complete online check-in, we were directed to the check-in counters and not bag drop.

Then it was through security proper where we had to take everything electronic, including cables, out of our bags.

We went up to the 080 Lounge to see if my Qantas Ultimate would get us in (no dice, and no chance we were paying 6000 to go in) so instead went and plane watched.

We've both commented on how good looking soooo many people are but not quite this good looking. Looks a bit too ai to me but maybe not. I look forward to meeting this guy if he's not



We were on an A321neo to Kochi



seats 1B and C. When I booked I had every seat to pick from with the package that I’d bought. It offered seat selection, an extra 10kg checked(20kg total) and a snack. I got us both a sandwich.

Boarding by groups didn’t really happen. We thought we’d wait until group 3 appeared up on the board but it was clear as the number of people waiting dwindled we might as well join the queue. When we got onboard there were already some bags above our seats. As nothing could be on the floor I politely asked if I could move the bags that clearly belonged to the caucasian family sitting behind us and they slid them along for me.

No-one joined us in row one so I asked if I could move into 1A. Of course you can



It’s only 65 minutes to Kochi and once airborne the pilot told us it would be about 45 minutes in the air.

Leaving BLR


Taj from the runway


beautiful green Bengaluru

 

[bPeteb]

Here’s our sandwiches, served as we were still climbing quite steeply. Quite tasty. Served with a little juice



Approaching Kochi



Bags are such a lottery. Mine came out quite quickly but bAlt’s was pretty much last.

I was told that our driver Sunil would be waiting for us and there he was as we came out of arrivals.

As per our itinerary I’d expected a small people mover but we are in a Toyota something, the size of a Yaris sedan I reckon. Our bags fit into the boot and our legs weren’t/aren’t squashed so we’re ok



As we were taxiing at Kochi there were signs on the perimeter boasting about winning a UN award for being the greenest airport in 2018. Another saying that the airport is powered 100% by the sun.



It was one of the first things Sunil talked about as we were driving out of the airport. Clearly Kerala is, and should be, very proud of this



The traffic to our hotel near Fort Kochi was bloody terrible but how everyone weaved around and through each other was awesome. I got a huge smile from a guy on the back of a bike as he looked in the car and saw two crazy tourists. I gave a big smile back.

Does this place dent your car and then paint it?


Lots of easy conversation with Sunil. Firstly about his name – Sunil John Anthony. Comes from his father, and grandfather. His son is called Aidan.

He asked if we were friends. I said, no, partners. Business partners? No, life partners. Ah, life partners. And that was that.

Sunil pointed out lots of places as we drove through the city and out across a number of bridges to the Fort Cochin area



along the road near our hotel

 

[bPeteb]

Neeraj at Payless had provided me with a list of the proposed hotels and I really didn’t want to stay in the middle of Kochi. I wanted us to stay near the water. I found Bloom Boutique www.staybloom.com/hotels/kochi/bloom-boutique-waterfront-fort-kochi and the prices were similar to the one that had been provided. We were arriving the night before the actual trip started. After an interesting few emails and WhatsApp messages Neeraj finally understood what I was asking and Bloom was confirmed.

This hotel would not be for everyone. It was the Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel before the Bloom chain took it over. It is, quirky. Museum is definitely correct. It was built in 1877, of course, as a granary.





As the name says it is right on the water, with a deck and some seating, and a small pool



We were allocated Trader room 103, on the first floor facing the busy road. On the floor above are the ‘museum’ rooms and even two of those face the road



We had no plans apart from needing to find some scissors as I’d brought the wrong bags for Colin with me. Instead of my regular bags, somehow I’d packed my emergency supply, all needing a new hole cut in them. I’d discovered at the Taj at change time and had quite the panic. Arggghhhhh

Anyways, after a lot of hot and sweaty wandering around we finally found a little pair of kids scissors, for the princely sum of 20 rupees. And they got the job done. (Kind of… Small pointy scissors poking into an ostomy bag are risky no matter how careful you are. I thought I was very careful but some have been knicked as I found out later yesterday Now to find some tape)

the streets around Fort Kochi near the hotel



from the hotel jetty

 

[OZDUCK]

As always enjoying your TR immensely. Using Google your handsome man is indeed real - Shubman Gill the Captain of the Indian Cricket team.

Shubman Gill - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[bPeteb]

Alcohol is not served at many restaurants in Kochi which was a problem as we felt like a beer. Unfortunately the only place close by, Seagull, was packed, so we ended up next door at the Fort House Hotel #1 Heritage hotel in Fort Kochi,Luxury hotel near kochi beach, Hotels near Mattancherry Synagogue, Hotel with waterfront restaurant in Kochi Yep, no alcohol.

We sat in a breezeless corner of the hotel’s riverfront terrace and were consumed by mossies until 7 when we raced out onto the over water terrace for dinner.



the menu



starters were delicious




The meal was ok, bAlt liked his pork meal much more than I liked my fish in banana leaf that had a few too many bones for my liking



Service was excellent. Everyone has the biggest smile. The Bavarian 0% beers were not too bad. More importantly out on the river terrace there were no mossies and the view of the boats constantly moving in every direction was just excellent.

All that was left was the short, sober, walk back to Bloom boutique. So endeth our first day in India.

Kochi is cool, well the fort area where we are staying. The Taj was really nice. IndiGo was great. Our hotel is, quirky. Best of all Sunil John Anthony (yep, I know) our driver is looking good.

Off we go.

 

[bPeteb]

As always enjoying your TR immensely. Using Google your handsome man is indeed real - Shubman Gill the Captain of the Indian Cricket team.

Shubman Gill - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

OMG! The hunt is on

 

[SeatBackForward]

How are you going about paying for things? Did you Exchange take Cash prior, using ATM? or have you managed to get the Contact-less payments working?