Kerala- a land of water and wonder (Lorie in India, Blog #11)

We entered Kerala at the Tiger Preserve, in the mountains, where we stayed at a mountain spa which would make anyone jealous.  We took a boat through the preserve but saw no tigers!  Here we saw spices grown under the shade, along with coffee, and then visited Kerala’s famous Cardamom Hills, where tea is grown in a spectacular patchwork quilt of terraces.

Tea must be picked every twelve days, so that only the tender leaves are taken.  We learned that different teas come from different processing of the same plant.  White tea is very tender leaves only, green is processed less, and black tea is roasted.

Next we visited the inland waterways of Kerala, famous for their houseboats, which once provided local housing, but are now mostly for tourists.  We had a fish lunch on a houseboat in this labyrinth of beautiful canals, which form a complex delta.

Are you jealous yet?  I wouldn’t mind renting these cottages for a time.  

Kerala also includes the city of Cochin, another remarkably beautiful place which is centered on a bay much like San Francisco.  Cochin is an ancient port, first settled by the Portuguese, who have left buildings behind.  It is a center of the spice trade.

This Chinese style of fish net is lowered on big ropes, then brings in small fish.

Fish caught in Kerala.  The small ones by the nets, the others by boats that go to sea.

Some consider Kerala the wonderland of India, and in fact the name means “God’s Country”.  Kerala also has the distinction of having a socialist government during the 55 years after independence.  It has many cooperatives, and apparently although the per capita income is as low as other states, there is much less poverty here: better health care and education.  This came from a colleague on the trip who is an economist who has studied Kerala.  I would like to learn more about this seemingly idyllic state.