Namaste

After leaving behind the town with the second longest name behind this morning we took the local express bus from the chaotic bus station to head back North to Allepey or Allapuzha (which sounds like a magicians word!!) but it is the same place.

Allepey as we shall call it for now is 150km North of Thiruvananthapuram (18 letters!!!) and took 3 1/2 hours on the bus which had no windows. On the way we got bumped and bruised as the bus bounced it's way along the not so smooth road. The driver seemed to be in a rush to get everywhere and spent most of the journey on the opposite side of the road with traffic heading towards him but he used the " I am bigger than you tactic so get the hell off my road" or you get smashed into, but it did seem to work a treat and we only had a few near misses!!!!

One guy on the bus came up and wanted both our autographs, then we had to think who we could sign our names as for a joke as we were on our way to Allepey for a trip on a houseboat we signed as Sophia Loren and Cary Grant!!!!! (who sir, me sir)

We hadn't booked anywhere and we ended up getting touted at the bus station and got a fantastic room in a house which is spotless but the bed is hard.The houseboat that we have booked for tomorrow is a beauty with its own lounge and sun deck and a personal chef to make your meals onboard the boat we have exclusive use of it for 24 hours so it should be good fun cruising the backwaters.

Will report back in a few days.

Lots of Love

M & M

xx