Hi everyone, Jim and Caroline here with our first little update....

We set off last Friday to Kerala, right down in the South of India, for some well-earnt sun, surf and sand, and we haven't been disappointed. The sun hasn't stopped shining since we got here & we're having to keep ourselves well-watered with plenty of Kingfisher!

Even though we've been to India before, it was still a shock to the system arriving here - plenty of 'friendly locals' trying to pull you in different directions. After no sleep and too many leaving drinks beforehand, the last thing you want is a forced fruit salad in one hand, a 'fine restaurant' to eat in or to take a look in their shop when you have a 20kg backpack on in the 30+ heat!

So that was Kovalam, our first beach resort. Whilst we were there we did manage to get away from the hustle taking a slow-boat down the backwaters on Caroline's birthday, fantastic! Followed by full-body ayurvedic massage (interesting! Jim's first and last!), then tucked in to the biggest tiger prawns we've ever seen and lived it up with a whole lobster. To top it all off, the guys at our guest house had arranged a party, I even had a birthday cake!

So we're a week in now, finding our feet and loving it. We're back in our favourite place where we spent Xmas four years ago - Varkala. We just met a couple from Norwich on the beach and we're all going out for some drinks (as it's the weekend ofcourse!) and Keralan fish curry, yum!

We hope everyone back home is well and not missing us too much already! We were hoping to put some photos on here today but having a few USB issues (where are IT geeks when you need'em??!)

We're having a chilled few days here before heading off on a traditional houseboat experience, then hoping to see some tigers in one of the most amazing national parks.

Will be in touch soon & get some photos on,

Lots of love, Jim & Caroline xxxx