Jumping on a small boat after a train ride from Varkala we entered the canals and waterways of Kerala Backwaters. This series of lakes, rivers and canals primarily provide irrigation for the rice crops grow here for the last few hundred years but also provide a lifestyle, food and mode of transport for the residents (about 2000 people - tiny for India). The dykes and levees were completed in 1904.
It is a quiet, peaceful place with wildlife and shy, friendly people. We were hosted in a Home Stay by a retired couple Lola and 'Mr Lola'. She was a pharmacist and him a banker. One son is studying in Melbourne and the other in India. Lola is an amazing cook and we had beautiful food while there -eg. coconut pancakes (dosa) and steamed bananas for breakfast :)
Taking the steamed bananas out of the pressure cooker with Mr Lola looking on. He must drive her nuts now he's retired and around the house all the time ;)
It is a quiet, peaceful place with wildlife and shy, friendly people. We were hosted in a Home Stay by a retired couple Lola and 'Mr Lola'. She was a pharmacist and him a banker. One son is studying in Melbourne and the other in India. Lola is an amazing cook and we had beautiful food while there -eg. coconut pancakes (dosa) and steamed bananas for breakfast :)
The Scullery including wood stove on left, stone spice grinder (back centre), sink (centre) and coconut grater far right. The gas hotplate and a work bench about 4 metees long was in the main kitchen.
Cooking the Dosa (wheat flour, egg white, sugar and coconut milk) and preparing the coconut filling (freshly grated coconut, sugar, cardomom)
Front of the house looking from the water as we left. We had bedrooms on the top floor.
We were lucky enough to have two boat rides through the waterways - 1 in a small ferry like vessel from the mainland and another in a poled canoe through the small canals looking at plant and bird life and watching the world of the locals slide by.
No comments:
Post a Comment