We said our final farewells to Fort Cochin which proved to be a great introduction to India and made our way to the train station to catch our very first Indian train! On our way from the ferry the rickshaw driver chucked (yes chucked!) Sarah's bag on top of the roof and he refused to accept that it was more important than finding a husband! No husband no life!

It was a struggle trying to find the correct carriage since the train was sooo long! We gave up at sat in 3rd class (with a few cockroaches to share our journey with) and arrived in Alleppey (the home of the backwaters of Kerela).

Yet again the homestay we had booked was above and beyond our expectations, especially as it only cost 3 pounds each! If ever you are in Alleppey stay with Matthew at the Browns Residency, Cullen Rd (he was the nicest host we have had yet - giving us huge discounts and complementary air conditioning).

We spent the evening on Cherai beach watching the camels silhouttes ride by in the sunset. We now both know who's the hottest out of the two of us as Deb was groped twice by teens...enough said! We met a lovely couple who introduced to an amazing Indian dessert called Gulab jamun (donut balls in syrup)...yummy yummy yummy!

The next day we had our backwaters tour (organised by the lovely Matthew) we avoided the usual houseboat and tourist trail and set off in a rickety little wooden canoe with Sanji (yet another personal guide) It was like being in a gondala in Venice...plus a few palm trees, snakes and locals washing and dishwashing! Sanji took us to his father's house to have breakfast (rice noodles, coconut and chickpea curry). Sanji took us down all the small canals and through the small villages in the backwaters to meet some of the locals. We visited a church and avoided joining a convent, learnt about the poisonous mango tree and ate lots of fresh bananas (this blog seems to be alot about food!)

Now we are going to visit the Ashram for cuddles with Amma.....