Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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  • World Trip 2015: South India – Kerala Dreaming tour

    Tour Title: South India – Kerala Dreaming tour
    Tour Company: G Adventures
    Tour Leader:     Sajin Basil
    Countries Visited: India (Cities: Kochi,     Kumarakom, Alleppey, Cherrai Beach)

    Dates: 26 April 2015 to 2 May 2015.

    Note: I did this as part of the India Highlights Tour which also included the Northern India Highlights tour.

    Tour Type
    This tour is listed as one of G Adventures Comfort tours. In short the hotels you stay at will be very good and most of the activities are included in the tour with a little bit of free time for other activities.

    Included Activities
    Arrival transfer, Walking tour in Kochi including Fort Cochin, the Dutch Palace, the Jewish quarter, the fishing market and Chinese fishing nets, Kathakali cultural show, Tripunithura Hill Palace, Kumarakom canoe ride, Walking tour of the paddy fields, Houseboat trip along the Kerala backwaters, Cooking demonstration and meal with local family.

    Accommodation
    Hotels had most of the expected extras for good 3-4 star hotels like good showers, air conditioning (a must a this time of year).  Wifi charged at some places.  Stay in Alleppey was more basic, no internet or TV, but still they had air conditioning and the family great charm.  Breakfast was included at each stop. Laundry was done a last stop Cherrai Beach for a reasonable cost, plus they have onsite massage facilities. 

    Tour Members
    There were only two other tour members, Andreas (Switerland) and Kanae (Japan).

    Tour Leader
    Sajin Basil has over 4 years working for G Adventures and recently representatives the region at G event in Egypt.   This was a very simple tour to organise only 3 passengers and a leisurely plan.  Sajin tried his best to keep us all involved despite language issues and he definitely helped me when I needed something done.

    Highlights
    The backwaters were the highlights of this tour, anytime we we’re on water it was great especially the canoe trip under the stars in Alleppey.  This part of India is very different to the rest, much more leisurely, everything seemed cleaner and everyone was friendly.  

    Unfortunately I was unwell for a fair proportion of their tour and stomach problems and humidity don’t go well.  Still this area is almost a postcard of paradise and if you like a nice paced leisurely tour and time to reflect of life in beautiful surroundings this tour is for you. 

    Daily Journal Entries 

    Trip Photos

    Alleppey canoe trip , started in day ended under stars
     

  • World Trip 2015: Day 15 – Cherrai Beach, India

    Friday 1 May 2015
    Highlights:     Fish wholesale market, Indian Massage

    The last full day of the Indian trip.  Sajin suggested an early morning trip to the port to experience the fish trade.  This also result in my first Tuk Tuk ride of the trip which are always interesting with no seatbelts and chaotic driving conditions.

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  • World Trip 2015: Northern India Highlights

    Tour Title: Northern India Highlights
    Tour Company: G Adventures
    Tour Leader: Manu Rao
    Countries Visited: India (Cities: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Sawarda)

    Dates: 20 April 2015 to 26 April 2015.

    Note: I did this as part of the India Highlights Tour which also included the South India – Kerala Dreaming tour.

    Tour Type
    This tour is listed as one of G Adventures Comfort tours. In short the hotels you stay at will be very good and most of the activities are included in the tour with a little bit of free time for other activities.

    Included Activities
    Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, Walking tour and project supporting street kids in Delhi, Tour of Old Delhi including Jama Masjid Mosque, and Gurduwara Sikh Temple, visit to the extraordinary Taj Mahal, Baby Taj and Agra Fort, visit Fathpur Sikri (the abandon city) and Abhaneri Stepwells (tank gardens), visit to Amber Fort, Jaipur City Palace and Hawa Mahal, visit and tour of the village of Sawarda.

    Accommodation
    Hotels had most of the expected extras for good 3-4 star hotels like good showers, air conditioning (a must a this time of year).  Wifi charged at some places.  Stay in Sawarda is more basic, no internet or TV, bucket water shower but still they had air conditioning and great charm.  Breakfast was included at each stop.

    Tour members

    There were only 6 travellers,  Ashleigh and Jess (England), Dianne (Canada), Yani and Sonia (USA), and myself.  A small group reflecting the end of the season and rising weather. 

    Tour Leader
    Manu Rao is an experience Chief Experience Officer / Tour Leader who very obviously loves his job and his country.  Manu added many optional activities into a crowd schedule for this short tour that added great value these included a Bollywood film at a classic cinemia, watching true master craftsmen at work with marble and gems and dinning under the stars.  Manu encourage us to discuss what we had seen and experience from the wealth to to poor.

    Highlights
    There were lots of highlights of this tour including;
    – playing cricket with the children in Swarda
    – experiencing the Taj Mahal
    – the Great Wall at Amber Fort
    – the underrated Agra Fort
    – watching master craftsmen at work
    – visiting the slums in Delhi and the Salute the Kids foundation which helps them
    – the noise, music, cows and elephants

    This is a very quick paced tour which can overwhelm you if you aren’t careful. If you only have a short time in India this is a great option.  I’d also recommend this type of tour in I dial the conditions can be harsh if not use to 40 degree+ temperatures.  At the very least I’d take a classic tour and ensure private air conditioned transport, it was a life saver at times.

    Tour Daily Journal Entries

      

  • World Trip 2015: Day 14 – Alleppey to Cherrai Beach, India

    Thursday 30 April 2015
    Highlights:     Watching the many uses of coconuts.

    A home cooked meal to start our longest travel day.  Today there is a general strike in India which is supposed to stop transport but travel to the airport is allowed so that’s what our car stated.  A short canoe ride with our bags saw us off the island and away.

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  • World Trip 2015: Day 13 – Kumarakom to Alleppey, India

    Wednesday 29 April 2015
    Highlights:     Canoeing in the backwaters under the stars.

    On our way to Alleppey we briefly stopped off the road to watch locals sorting coconut shells.  This is the start of a process that eventually gets made into rope.  However every part of the coconut is used either for food, water or rope.  Since they grow every 45 days that makes them a super plant and strong driver of the local economy.

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