The train ride back up the track didn't seem to take too long, chatting with some students explaining my mishap and making sure I was ready to alight at the correct station! Having arrived a few hours later than expected, I was greeted with the lovely sign of a pre-paid taxi stand. Without any hassle I got to the area where I wanted to stay, by telling the rickshaw to drop me off at the restaurant I was planning to have dinner (otherwise prices are raised for the driver's commission). From the policeman at the pre-paid taxi stand to the hotel manager, everyone I bumped into was very friendly and welcoming. Tucking into a spicy keralan fish curry and rice, I had time to contemplate my day's activities and was ready for bed!

After a refreshing sleep I went for a wonder around the city, not realizing everything didn't open until after ten. I got familiar with my surroundings discovering the numerous amounts of shops and brands. Again the food was still amazing, having tucked into never ending thalis to sampling the different dosa joints for breakfast/lunch (with a scorching hot tea or coffee).

Having the luxury of having a telephone in my room, I took advantage of getting Mum and Dad to call me… after a two hour conversation, Mum and Dad seemed happier but, were keen for me to call them every week!

My destination after the mainland Cochin (Ernakulum) was a 20min ferry ride across to Fort Cochin. Typical Keralan scenery with Chinese fishing nets composed against a setting sun. After spending the afternoon to find a place to stay, I finally came across Joshua home stay. After a little negotiation, I got the gorgeous room for a reasonable price and the family had been very welcoming. I quickly made a few friends and joined the group for dinner (little did I know about the wonderful 'Dhal Roti' restaurant…). The local Coffee Day (coffee shop chain) was also taken advantage of, using it for the air conditioning, refreshing shakes (even though they were pricey), sofas, LCD tv and a bathroom with soap and toilet paper!

On our way back home we could hear banging trance/techno music, locating the beats and a fairly impressive laser show, to the local church! We went in for a nosey and found out it was the reception party for newly weds. We all got invited in to throw some shapes with the all male gyrating crowd! Fashioning the folded up lungi, I hit the dance floor with a stupid smile plastered on my face! Trying to make a good impression on 'the Dad', I made my way home, as I actually had a room in their house, so had to come through their front door. Thinking I had to creep in and quietly unlock my door, I saw that the light was still on and that 'the Dad' was waiting up for me!

A reunion of my friends I made in Hampi made my stay in Fort enjoyable, but an opinionated Dutch girl made it memorable. The reunion made it easy to plan a rental of a house boat in Alleppey, but our stay was extended by a couple of days as they had landed a role in an advertisement. They suffered from a silly o'clock wake up call, where I later joined them for their reaction shots after their beach shoot. Waiting for the commercial on YouTube…

On one day we went to visit a superbly average beach, where we went for a swim trying to refresh ourselves from the heat (amazing company though!). Another day we decided to numb our bottoms on cycles and discover some dutch architecture, instead the biriyani and toddies, and head wobbling at people proved to be more enjoyable! Not forgetting several visits to Dhal Roti for delicious evening meals with a gentleman of a host and sharing funny stories amongst fellow travelers.