Vasco da Gama Square, Fort Kochi

The best place to watch the Chinese fishing nets being lowered into the sea and catch being brought in is the Vasco da Gama Square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach. The nets were erected here between 1350 and 1450 AD by Chinese traders.
Depending on the time of day, you will see different activities being undertaken by the fishing community (if you're into outdoor activities, you can use this resource from REI to help you out). In the mornings small boats will come in with their catch.

Bagging Barbets: Western Ghats Species

Originally, this little barbet was treated as a sub-species of the Coppersmith Barbet. But it was later classified as a separate species, the Malabar Barbet is found only in the Western Ghats of India. This species can be differentiated from the Coppersmith Barbet by the crimson face and throat.The next barbet at first glance can be mistaken for the Lineated Barbet. However, the White-cheeked Barbet or Small Green Barbet is smaller in size. It is also endemic to the forest areas of the Western Ghats and adjoining hills. To tell them apart look at the head it has a broad white cheek stripe below the eye.To allow you to see the differences here are photos of the Coppersmith Barbetand the Lineated Barbet

Nature Walk In Periyar Tiger Reserve

My personal guided trip that went to the dogs. Lesson learnt never be nice and agree to let other tag along when one had legitimately booked a personal trip. I caught a glimpse of the male Asian Paradise Flycatcher (white morph). All I can say is I now know why birders are so crazy about this bird, it was gorgeous. Before I could even raise my camera, someone within the group moved forward and scared the bird deeper into the forest. Argh!!!
I lowered my expectations and just took it as a walk within a wildlife reserve and seeing animals from a distance. We saw Nilgiri langurs, Malabar giant squirrels, Gaurs, Wild Boars and Elephants. Our guide said we were lucky as the group he took for the morning walk saw nothing. Was he trying to placate me?On our way back, he took us to the edge of the lake and showed us a carcase of a Sambar deer killed by Dholes. The dogs were around us as we could hear them barking around us but they aren't easy to see.

Oh Where! Oh Where Are the Wild Bengal Tigers?

Headed to Thekaddy in the Western Ghats and plonked myself right inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the hope to better my chances of seeing just a wild Bengal Tiger. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed almost immediately by the officials within the Tiger Reserve. They told me that tigers are very rare, and my chances of seeing a tiger is next to none. They think that there are only 28 within the 777 Sq km reserve. Sigh! Will the WWF prediction that wild tigers will be extinct by the next year of the tiger come true. Grim indeed no tigers left in the wild.
I did however see many other wildlife within the reserve. It took me a day to get my bearings but access to where the wildlife were was tightly managed and one has to either join a group of five with a guide to walk within the reserve or hire a personal guide. On the second day, I booked a boat trip down the man-made lake in the morning and a trek into the reserve in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I had to share the personal guide I had booked with four other people due to a shortage of guides as the rangers were out helping to conduct a tiger census by taking pug marks. It was truly disappointing as I saw the birds I wanted but I couldn't hang around to wait or the rest of the group scared the birds away.
On the morning boat ride, the excitement started right from the moment I got on to the boat. Elephants had come to the edge of the lake to drink and the small herd was loitering around the edge of the thick forest - Mommies and aunts with babies.While we were gawking at the elephants, one of the rangers quietly pointed out a Sambar deer with calf in the water and then the pack of four Dholes (Indian wild dogs) that had pursued the mother and calf into the water.When we finally set off it was all about spotting wildlife on the edges of the man-made lake within the reserve.There were water birds such as Cormorants, Snake Birds (Darters) and the Pied Kingfishers. We also saw Smooth Otters, Wild Boars and the Gaur (Indian bison).

What I Found in Munnar

Wondered why I agreed to the long drive to Munnar but it turned out to be an interesting trip with the toddy bar and my spotting birds right next to the hotel's restaurant. In the afternoon, I spotted this little fella, its last relative was seen wintering in Singapore.then it was a Pond Heron. While waiting for the Pond Herons to settle down, I spot a Little Grebe quietly swimming up stream. In the morning before I hopped into my car, I set up the camera on tripod while I had breakfast. Boy! was I glad I did so as I had the shot of my life (for now) a pair of Common Kingfishers.As I was heading back to my room I spot a pair of Long Tailed Shrikes. I ended up pushing back my departure just so that I could get shots of the shrikes.

Wildlife Around Aranya Nivas

Aranya Nivas was home base within Periyar Tiger Reserve. It was a great place to just sit and wait for the wildlife to drop in to visit. Spotted Sambar Deer on the edge of the hotel. The trio blended well into the background that it was hard to pick them out. Waited till they were passing a relatively clear spot to get my shot, however the adults were too big and fast to shoot. I focused instead on the fawn.A troupe of Bonnet Macaques were harassing visitors at the cafe and at the boat ride landing area. This macaque is only found in India and it different to the Long-tailed Macaques we have here. These have more hair on their head and have a center parting on their flattened hair. A number of Bonnet Macaques were also amputees and according to the staff they have a vet on staff to care for the animals. I could not contain my excitement when I spotted the Malabar Giant Squirrel but they aren't easy to photograph. I spent quite a bit of time observing the one individual that lived near the hotel to finally get a reasonably good shot of the squirrel eating the seeds of a cotton tree. It scatter fluffy turfs of cotton on me.Then I spotted a pair of Malabar Grey Hornbills, my first wild hornbill sighting on the first evening I was at the hotel. Didn't take me long to figure out that the pair might visit the hotel.While staking out a fig tree by pool side for the Crimson-chested and White-cheeked Barbets. I found the hornbills on the same tree too. Also spotted on the same tree were the Asian Blue Fairybird.On the last day the Nilgiri Langurs, they too raided the fig tree by the pool and stripped the tree of all its fruits. There goes the birds but luckily I was leaving for my next destination.

What is a Toddy Bar?

The car that was transporting me around was a white Hindustan Ambassador, which has been in production since 1958 with few modifications. Despite its British origins, the Ambassador is considered as a definitive Indian car and is fondly called "The king of Indian roads". I loved the car as it is solidly built and steady. Despite several close shaves travelling around Kerala my driver managed to transport me through several towns but I do wish he would have not sounded his horn so often.During the over three hour drive from Fort Kochi to Munnar, I spotted a two of brightly painted new Toddy bars. I then asked the driver to stop at the next toddy bar we passed as I thought it would be fun to capture in pixels the brilliant colors of the next bar. However, the bar we passed was grungy and rundown. I almost didn't want to stop but I am glad I changed my mind as it was an interesting dive.Chandhana Toddy Bar turned out to be an interesting old watering hole and the owner was terrible amused and obliging. He showed me his toddy bar, got his patrons to demonstrate their drinking prowess, and his worker to pose for me.

One Mean Fish Packet

Another random choice which turned out to be a gem. Went into the Grand Residencia on a whim to cool down and have lunch. The restaurant on the back served Kerala cuisine along with the usual fare.
Ordered a local dish called Mean Pollichathu (Roasted Fish in a Banana leaf Wrap) with rice which arrived in 15 minutes on a white plate with pickles on the side.Unwrapping the fish was a great surprise when the fragrance of the dish hits you. The colors is another factor that just begs one to dive in. The tangy and aromatic paste that enveloped the fish gets your taste buds going. It was especially fragrant when the whole pieces of curry leaves are chewed along with the paste and fish. This dish got an A+ and the price was reasonable too.

Tea Pot, Fort Kochi

Found this interesting cafe by chance while wondering around the Princess Street area.Decided to go in for some tea and to soak in the ambiance of the place. My order was a cup of masala tea and 'death by chocolate' cake. While waiting for my order to arrive, the camera was put to good use in gobbling up the interesting decor of the place. As the name suggests the place is filled with tea, tea pots and kettles of all kinds. The owner also used old wooden boxes that use to contain tea as tables. It was a great place to while away a hot day with a book. A highly recommended place to stop by if you are ever in Kochi.

Before Washing Machines & Electric Irons

The guide who was taking me around brought me to a laundry cooperative. It was like stepping back in time before washing machines and electric irons even appeared. When laundry was still hand washed.Hung or placed on the ground to dry.There wasn't a need for plastic clothes pegs. And clothes were pressed with a charcoal iron.I found it so fascinating to be at a dhoby coop that saw various small businesses working together. Welcome to the Dhoby Khana Coop.Where things are still done in the old fashion way with a little bit of modernization in a simple electric iron.

Fort Kochi

Arrived closed to midnight from Singapore and the hour and half drive from the airport to the hotel at Fort Kochi was in darkness.
Home base was a 230-year-old bungalow that has seen better days. The Ballard Bungalow has only six guest rooms but they were all huge.It was old and could do with maintenance but I loved the creaky teak floors and the misaligned wood of the old house. Plus it was in a great location.
Since I had the morning to myself. I could either explore my new surrounding or sit outside on the balcony to relax and read my book.I dove right in and just wondered around. A long ocher colored wall was the first sight that greeted me as I walked out and then a herd of goats. I just followed my nose down the road to a fish processing area where fishermen were selling their catch.Being the only gawky-eyed tourist mingling with a bunch of men, meant that I got a chance to photograph them as they worked. The pier allowed me to find the Chinese fishing nets and the larger fishing community that was based there.