Started the day off with another hearty Indian breakfast. Anniversary of the formation of Kerala some 52 years ago as a result of partition. Dad, Max, Darcy and I went for a short walk outside the grounds and were rewarded with becoming the focal point of the locals. People came out of their houses to greet us as we wandered, a strange experience.
First trip of the day was with Jose Snr to see a local foundry where they create brass and bronze religious casts and things like oil lamps and bells. When we got there it was closed, the old guy we met there told us that the owners were away burying grandad, assume he was d
ead. Undeterred Jose gets on the phone and tells the guy that he has people who want to buy so to get his butt round and open up! No pressure - one bell and five small religious statues later plus a quick tour of the foundry and we were on our way to next stop.
Arrived a a little roadside weaver to look at material being made. One guy and his wife run a little weaving workshop, together with a small shop where they sell the stuff they make. Dad chose material to make a longyi and Susie a piece of sari fabric with real gold t
hread. We were then treated to a demo of the weaver in action. Same principal as any
loom with the shuttle, foot peddles etc except that it was all mounted on the floor, which meant that the weaver had to stand in a hole in the floor!
On our way back to the Plantation for a quick feast, Jose spots an Elephant laying in the water having a wash. Amazing spot as the river was some 30 feet below us. Emergency stop left us hanging in the seat belts, quick U turn and park up to have a closer look. The experience then got better as there was a set of steps leading down to the river and a large dugout canoe with a boat man ready to ferry us across the river to get up close and personal with the massive bull elephant. I will never forget this moment and I hope it will stay with the kids too as it was a chance meeting showing this beautiful creature being cared for by its owner who was standing on its sid
e scrubbing its skin with what looked like a coconut husk. The elephant was laying on its side in the water and every now and again it would wag its tail with pleasure. We got the boat back across the river and whilst waiting to climb the steps the elephant forded the river with the rider sat atop. He then walked up a slope by the steps and joined the road before disappearing into a plantation.
One massive Indian lunch served on a large banana leaf later and we set off to an elephant sanctuary. All I can be bother to say is 4 hours drive on some truly horrendous roads was not worth it for the 30 minutes we spent at one of the saddest places I have been too in a long time. With the benefit of hindsight we should have stayed by the pool and reflected on the brilliant morning....less is more!
e scrubbing its skin with what looked like a coconut husk. The elephant was laying on its side in the water and every now and again it would wag its tail with pleasure. We got the boat back across the river and whilst waiting to climb the steps the elephant forded the river with the rider sat atop. He then walked up a slope by the steps and joined the road before disappearing into a plantation.One massive Indian lunch served on a large banana leaf later and we set off to an elephant sanctuary. All I can be bother to say is 4 hours drive on some truly horrendous roads was not worth it for the 30 minutes we spent at one of the saddest places I have been too in a long time. With the benefit of hindsight we should have stayed by the pool and reflected on the brilliant morning....less is more!
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