"Don't know where the week's gone!" A familiar enough feeling when I was working; but gone it has. It's been pleasant enough to take long rides on public ferry boats across the backwaters. A seven hour return trip for about 38 pence is a bargain, especially when you are sharing the same scenery, the same waterways, the same fresh air and the same photo opportunities with those afloat in the luxury palaces for eighty or ninety quid plus. Can get crowded on the ferries, mind. But so too can the palace routes, with boats jockeying for position like the auto rickshaws on land. The ferries of course don't provide cushions, loungers, or servants to fetch fresh lemon drinks or another Kingfisher... But on the other hand, you get to meet interesting, likeminded budgeteers.
For all that, there is nothing to keep me in Alleppey.
Have been debating which way to go next. Options being to head back inland to the mountains and zigzag my way south to Trivandrum airport, or to stick with the coast. It was a difficult choice until two days ago, when I did a recce to Kollam (aka Quilon) and found a typically scruffy, not at all beautiful, dirty, dusty, fumey, littered town, unattractive and unengaging...
...and then, only a couple of miles from the centre, chanced on a fishing community, sprawled part on the shore, part on firmer ground. Another world. Dingy shacks and bright coloured stucco houses. People crouching in the shade stared, smiled, waved as I passed by. Small boats hauled up, the latest catch of tiny fish spread out to dry like silvery white biscuits in the sun. Inspiring. I need time here...
So I have found a four-pounds-a-night lodging house, (no wifi at that price,) and I'm planning "a bit of a stay" and a proper painting holiday. At long last the sketch book and water colours may well come into their own. And there's a chance that a significant bit of the exorcism that's been taking place during this long journey will be completed before I have to get the plane home.
Well, it's possible... I'll let you know.
For all that, there is nothing to keep me in Alleppey.
Have been debating which way to go next. Options being to head back inland to the mountains and zigzag my way south to Trivandrum airport, or to stick with the coast. It was a difficult choice until two days ago, when I did a recce to Kollam (aka Quilon) and found a typically scruffy, not at all beautiful, dirty, dusty, fumey, littered town, unattractive and unengaging...
...and then, only a couple of miles from the centre, chanced on a fishing community, sprawled part on the shore, part on firmer ground. Another world. Dingy shacks and bright coloured stucco houses. People crouching in the shade stared, smiled, waved as I passed by. Small boats hauled up, the latest catch of tiny fish spread out to dry like silvery white biscuits in the sun. Inspiring. I need time here...
So I have found a four-pounds-a-night lodging house, (no wifi at that price,) and I'm planning "a bit of a stay" and a proper painting holiday. At long last the sketch book and water colours may well come into their own. And there's a chance that a significant bit of the exorcism that's been taking place during this long journey will be completed before I have to get the plane home.
Well, it's possible... I'll let you know.
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