Incredible India!

“It’s another pinch yourself moment!” – I lost track of how many times we said that on my recent trip to Goa and Kerala in what proved to be truly Incredible India. I count myself very privileged to have been able to venture so far off the tourist trail. Our purpose of going to India was to experience “Homestays”. These are privately owned properties whose owners open up their homes to a handful of tourists each year. Guests can interact with the family benefitting from their knowledge and guidance. This type of holiday is perfect for people who love to get under the skin of a destination. It is also very popular with ladies both travelling in small groups or alone because it is so safe and personal. We began our journey in Goa in a beautiful Homestay called Arco Iris. The owners took us all out to Martin’s Corner, reputedly one of the best restaurants in Goa, where the entertainment was provided by an extremely popular karaoke machine! Our hosts’ children adopted me as their new Aunty and a great evening was had by all. After visiting more lovely Homestays in North Goa and the St Francis Church in Panjim, the capital, we had a wonderful night of river cruising and fire-crackers to celebrate Diwali, the local festival of light. Next morning we were off to Cochin, flying via Chennai (Madras) with an unscheduled diversion to Bangalore on account of a cyclone at Chennai! It was then a 6 hour road journey, the like of which I had never experienced, to Munnar. I knew it was going to be tricky when I saw the sign in the bus headlights indicating there were 17 hairpin bends on the first of many mountain roads we were about to climb! The views the next morning from the Ambady Estate were of misty mountains covered in tea plantations all around. We were met by jeeps to go the last leg of our journey up to the Plantations. Then we toured the Tea Factory and the estate before visiting another Homestay based on a Cardamom plantation. There was time for a quick shop in Munnar for spices and souvenirs before going back to our Estate for dinner and a demonstration of unique local Kathakali dancing. It was worth the 4am start to drive up to Gavi Wildlife Reserve for a fun jeep safari tearing off at high speed after we received the message that elephants had been spotted – sadly they had positioned themselves directly under an electricity pylon which totally ruined the effect! Our subsequent afternoon jungle trek brought an encounter with an altogether different type of wildlife in the form of leeches!! Although there are said to be tigers in the park, our Guide had seen 25 in 10 years of working there. We saw many different types of bird, foxes, monkeys, a mongoose and huge butterflies. Our next day was a long one spent eating and travelling to the backwaters leaving us all feeling jaded. But a few of us made time for a quick walk to the local village where we were given a tour of the Temple. Everyone we met wanted us to take their picture but they didn't want anything in return. Night lobster fishing on Lake Vembanad was surreal – sitting in a canoe in the darkness I was just able to make out the silhouettes of the palm trees on the shore against the starlit sky. The eyes of the captured lobsters glowed an eerie red in the torchlight as distant lightning flashed on the horizon. An Ayurvedic massage followed an early start on our final day, then a tranquil cruise around the lake on a beautifully crafted Houseboat. Apart from a few other houseboats and the odd fishermen, we had the huge expanse of the lake to ourselves. It was easy to see why the backwaters of Kerala are known as the Venice of the East. A perfect relaxing end to an eventful trip! The Homestays are a truly unique way to see India at her best away from the usual tourist trail. The hosts can arrange drivers to see the local sights, recommend places to visit, pack a picnic for you, arrange yoga, pilates or massage and generally look after you in a way that would be impossible in a hotel. If you think that this kind of holiday would suit you and would like to know more call me on 0845 058 745!