The guidebooks say the state of Kerala is “a world away from the frenzy that is elsewhere in India”. It was certainly wonderful place for our short (5 day) visit, most of which was a considerable distance from large cities. It is currently governed by what was the world’s first elected communist party.

Our visit started in Kochi where we explored the old area of Fort Cochin (famous for its Chinese fishing nets dating back to traders from China in about AD 1400) and adjacent Mattancherry with interesting museum (Dutch Palace) and earliest Jewish synagogue in India, Pardesi, originally built in 1568. We also saw inside St Francis Church, 1503, the oldest European-built church in India, constructed by Portuguese Franciscan friars.

Following two days in Thekkady, we had another long drive to Alappuzha (better known as Alleppey) which is the focal point for a network of over 900km of waterways which run alongside forests, farms and villages, and from where houseboat tours are sourced. We went on a day/night tour on a very nice boat with a/c and two double bedrooms each with en-suites – very luxurious! We had an on-board cook who prepared a couple of very nice Indian meal for us which we enjoyed whilst taking in the peaceful scenery. A late afternoon canoe ride through narrow canals took us passed small households where people were swimming or washing clothes by their small houses. It was certainly a far cry from the bustle of traffic and people in the towns we passed through in both Sri Lanka and India. A great way to end our stay in the sub-continent.

Here is a small selection of (non-bird!) photos of our time in Kerala.