This is the TEA plantations of Kumily. Wondeful scenery up here and we managed to get a free pass for a visit to a tea factory.
This is walking through the tea plantation on the way to the factory.
This factory worker taking us around proudly 'posed' for this photo then promptly took me to a display board and pointed to a sign 'Visitors are NOT allowed to take photographs'! No the wonder he's got a bit of a 'twisty' face! Nowt like getting your visit off to a bad start!
Two pictures of the girls returning back to the factory with a days 'pickings' balanced on their heads. I wonder after picking tea all day they sit down and have a cuppa - or would you not be able to look at the stuff. Dam - I always forget to ask the important questions!
This is in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - it's Southern India's most popular and home to bison, sambar, wild boar, over 1000 elephants and 46 tigers! We took a boat trip around the lake within the park. We also did a hike with a guide and saw.... NOWT! He did very kindly point out where a tiger had 'wee-ed' the night before and also elephant tracks. Actually we did see some wild boar and quite a few birds. Me being the excellent bird spotter I am pointed a few out to the guide! There was an Indian holiday maker on the trek with us and he excitedly asked the guide 'So when did you last see a tiger' - probably expecting the guide to say something like - 4 hours ago. When he said, well, I saw some tiger crap on the path about a month ago, I think I detected a hint of disappointment in the Indian guys face!!
A neat way of crossing the river in the park - the rope is tied to the other side and he 'pulls' us over.
The view of the town of Munnar. It was packed when we were there as it was Indian school holidays, we were lucky to get accommodation. Just as a incidental factor, this is where I (Keith) fell with the Ertha's - please no comments!!
Hummm yes interesting. This was only one out of about 6 occassions when Indian families stopped us and asked for a photo with us. We decided it was about time we had a photo with them too. When they see us it's 20 questions, eeee the trails and tribulations of the 'famous'! I (Keith) have been mistaken for Beckham once, although they didn't say if it was David or Victoria.
Now there's only one reason a picture like this appears on the blog - there's must be a free scone question coming up! How right you are! So, for that free scone - name that fruit?
Can you tell it's the start of monsoon season? Here is a very moody looking resevoir just about to get a right good 'topping up'! And that's us two taking cover in a market stall while the 'topping up' was happening.
Driving out of Munnar was a beautiful sight. This was a rare clear day as we drove through the mountains and you can see the mountain ranges in the distance.
Plates of Scones questions - Go on Jenny Schmenny by mentioning everything that is produced in this area and hoping to 'happen' upon the correct answer. There was no need to hurt your brain Schmenny - your first answer was good enough for a scone - it was of course TEA that's grown all over them thar hills!
5 comments:
Bloomin twitchers eh? No matter where ye go, there's always one C.S. who's willing to offer his knowledge of the feathered variety. Even to the teacher.
"Blogging" till the last aswell. Very impressive.
So impressive in fact, I thought I'd return the impressiveness (?) and get here first with an answer for a scone. Thinking back to my Botanical A-level, that picture looks very much it's of Jack Fruit.
I believe it's unique as it's the largest tree-borne fruit in the world - a single fruit can be up to a metre long, and is related to the tiny mulberry, and is a cousin of the breadfruit.
Jackfruit wood is used to build furniture, guitars and artefacts, while the sticky sap is used as glue, my Botanical A-level teacher told me.
That's enough of the Botanics, now to Home Ed. I seem to remember the fruit having a creamy sweetness with a note of pineapple and banana. The seeds, with their nutty taste and texture, are considered a real delicacy. Apparently.
Good job I've not only got a good memory, but am well educated like, marra.
Now beat that, Outsourcer.
Outsource here is very impressed Paul,I see you are quite competitive also, may be for their next big trip I should quit being Sissy J's outsource and team up with you. We'd really blow the others out of the water!! The job of cleaning her toe jam and bellybutton lint isn't all that glamorous anyway if you know what I mean?!
Can't access Google today so I'll have a guess at bananas!
Ow Keith, what are you gonna do when you get back to England and you find that not only is nowt for free but everything's just about doubled in price since you left?
Safe journey yem
Paula
I could only dream of having a student like Paul C.S. Sandersfield in my class! One who remembers everything you've ever taught and is not satisfied with the normal 3 A levels, but has to go for 27! I can see now why Shirley chose that particular gene pool for the Bump.
Wooooooooh Outsourcer! How quickly the leopard changes her spots!! You'd better be careful what I end up doing with your dummy that's going to the cuppa tea get together! Dunking its face in tea could be the nicest thing.
And speaking of tea, re: last blog, tea was the answer??!! Ha'way man with the questions! Who wudda thowt? India exporting tea of all things! I noticed it was even too tough a question for C.S.Sandersfield...or maybe he doesn't have an A level in "Bloomin Obvious Exports from around the World".
Seriously though, this has to be close to one of our last contacts with you, so if I'm not already too late, we all wish you safe travels home. Hopefully, you can just put yourselves to sleep for hours so that you're ready for everyone when you get back. Will be seeing you in two bloomin weeks, already, for Pete's sake!
lots of love, sissy J xx
"....Hopefully you can just put yoursleves to sleep for hours..."
Ha'way Jen...we're talking about Keith and Suzanne here!!!!!!
Paula
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