Incredible India!
I've never been to India before, the country was on my ‘wish list’ I was so thrilled to be chosen to visit.
This unique alternative to hotels, Homestays combine the comfort and distinction of a boutique hotel with the personal hospitality, informality and local knowledge enjoyed when staying with family friends. A Homestay offers an insight into the culture, traditions, history and everyday life of an Indian family. What’s more, we got the chance to enjoy authentic Indian food at its very best – locally grown and reared produce home cooked!
I began my journey at Heathrow! We met up and checked in for our 9 hour flight to Mumbai – formerly Bombay with Jet Airways. I was very impressed with the service, seats and food and even had a good sleep on the way! We connected with our flight to Goa and then travelled to the first of our homestays, Stain Glass Cottage for our 2 night stay. We quickly unpacked then asked the owner’s husband to take to see the beach as it was only 2 kms away. It was so busy there, it was Friday evening and the place was buzzing full of atmosphere! That could be because it was also Diwali – the Festival of Lights that day! In the evening we were treated to a lovely banquet in a local restaurant and a very welcoming after dinner firework display and diwali cakes followed at the homestay the other 4 Travel Counsellors were staying at, the Arco Iris.
Whilst in Goa we visited other homestays and were very impressed with the diversity and uniqueness of each property, have a look at the photos and you will see what I mean! We also visited St Francis of Assisi Convent and Church in the capital of Old Goa, Panjim, local markets and did a cruise around the harbour by night.
We flew to Kerala via Chennai ( Madras) and had an unscheduled stop in Bangalore due to a cyclone! We then travelled west to the hillside location of Munnar. As we’d arrived in the dark we didn’t fully appreciate the scenery. The next morning when we got up we were amazed by the surroundings they were breathtaking!
We visited the highest tea plantation in the world,Kolukkumalai, where we were treated to a tour around the factory and sampled the local brew. The long drive up to the plantation was awesome, the view spectacular and well worth the long journey which can only be made by jeep! On the way, we passed women working in the fields going about their everyday life, they also live on the hillside in small villages, alongside where they work. We also got to go on an elephant trek, something I have never done before and I can highly recommend. Next was a plantation visit where the owner proudly introduced us to pepper trees, chillis, coffee, cardamom, tapioca, vanilla plants all growing together………the list is endless!
The next morning, we had a very early start to do a jungle safari and trek, I wouldn't’t have missed this for anything.The anticipation of seeing the animals in their natural habitat and the excitement when one of the drivers spotted elephant and we drove at top speed to find then round the next corner. Unfortunately they were next to a pylon! We also saw monkeys and water buffalo roaming free! In the afternoon, we did a jungle trek where we were treated to more wildlife of a very different variety leeches, butterflies, monkeys and there are said to be tigers, however we didn’t see any!
On the last day, we were treated to an Indian head massage followed by an Ayurvedic massage, native to southern India. I felt so relaxed,that I could float out of the room!! Which was appropriate as in the afternoon we cruised in a beautiful houseboat on the back waters of Kerala. We set off from our homestay at Vembanad House. What a thoroughly relaxing way to spend our last afternoon. We just watched the world go by, the local fishermen going about their everyday life and were cooked a superb Keralan meal of local fish, salad and vegetables.
I absolutely loved my first visit to India and this definitely won’t be my last! I’m already planning when I can go back there with my family!