The Shifting Sands

Our next escape was to Fort Kochi in the State of Kerala, a long standing trading port with Dutch, Portugese and British history woven into the long standing South Indian culture.  This history, combined with Kerala’s long history at the centre of the spice trade,  makes for some great dining.  From a perspective of economic development, Kerala is one of the most developed State in India with high median incomes, GDP per capita, literacy levels, a large Catholic population and, ironically, a history of communist governments .  The coastline in Kerala consists of islands separated by tidal “backwaters” which are heavily vegetated and provide a beautiful tropical backdrop. Chris's Mum, Doreen, was visiting Mumbai for two weeks so the trip was coordinated with her stay.  We booked into the Tea Bungalows, an historic private bungalow converted into a small hotel with eight rooms.  The service and food was excellent and it had a small pool which is always a winner with Ada

One of the great positives of Bandra, our suburb in Mumbai, is that it is close to the airport.  Now normally this is not a selling point for a suburb but Mumbai always questions orthodox thinking.  The reality is that the noise of the planes is drowned out by the traffic noise, continuous honking, fireworks, marching bands, ceiling fans, air conditioners and poor plumbing that are a fact of life in Mumbai.  The best thing about being close to the airport is that it is quick, easy and cheap to escape Mumbai.  For your sanity it is always healthy to be planning you next escape. View from the City Palace Our first escape post-monsoon was to Udaipur, a popular tourist city in Rajasthan with some friends and their two children.  We were travelling with Ada as Lucy had conveniently scheduled herself a Badminton tournament in Delhi.  The lengths teenagers will go to to escape their parents! Udaipur is built around