28/10/2013

Woke up early and got the train to Enakulum. Asked for a sleeper class but when I bordered the train I found there wasn't even any sleeper class carriages, but all general class. Of course they were all full so this meant I had to stand. Was only an hour ride so wasn't that bad. Got out and waited in the pre paid tuk tuk queue. Got the tuk tuk to the bus stand where I then got aboard a bus to Munnar… 86p! not too bad. The ride took around 4 and a half hours, and we had one stop. Some of the views en route were stunning. Reached Munnar and tired ringin Lucy and Nick to see where they were, but they didn't answer. Got a tuk tuk driver to drive me to some cheap places to stay. Settled for Shambu Cottage, as they guy seemed most genuine and was a homestay not a hotel. Went to my room and later heard a voice, opened my door and there was Michael!! Small world. He looked really ropey, and said he felt like death. Turns out he had the same type symptoms I had the other day of a really bad fever and headaches. Later on me and the owner shared a chai, a really sweet tea. It was quite cold so this really soothed the soul and we had a good craic on. The guy spoke good English and was very genuine, a nice pensioner. Called Lucy again to find they were too far away for a meet up. I promised to meet them in Kochi a few days later.

Finished my book on the night. The 7 habits of highly effective people. The biggest thing I took from it is that we are in control of our own fortunes. Great leaders are neither born nor made, they are self-made. The author explains between every stimulus and response there is a gap. It is in this gap that we can choose who and what type of person we are, what decisions we make etc. Conscious consistent behaviour in this area means that these actions become more habitual, meaning we can conquer phobias, loose weight, or become more effective as people. We are in control of our own destiny is basically habit 1. No matter how big something may seem nothing in our mindsets is unalterable.

29/10/2013

Woke up early, got some breakfast, then started walking towards the bus stand to find a tour I could do for the day. The auto drivers do it for 900 but apparently the buses do it for 350. En route I met a guy who was selling pretty much the same tour for 400. I thought I'd pay the 50 more and it means I would have to fight amongst the crowd and it would be a bit more enjoyable. We jumped in his Tata car, and the day begun. Was honestly the most weakest slowest car EVER. No word of a lie a human being could outrun this car. The day was both good and disappointing in equal measure. We got some good pics in the tea plantations, then went to the elephant place where I found I would have to pay another 700rs (350 each for two people) to ride the elephants. The guy was friends with the dude so he managed to get it for 400 for me. The elephants seemed much happier than the other place, and I jumped aboard and the elephant slowly but steadily when around the track, in and out the trees, up and down a quite complex path and back to the start. Was nice. Later we went and seen this massive dam and went to Echo Point. I'd heard about this place before, you're meant to be able to shout across the lake and your voice echoes back to you. There was loads of kids there on a school trip, and ofcourse I tried a big 'HELLO!', but there was hardly an echo. Lots of the kids were excited to see me and got photos with me. Was strange but really funny talking to them. There were peddlos to ride but we didn't go on. we got some more pics in the tea plantations and that was pretty much that. It seemed to end before it had even begun, but was still ok. Got some cool snaps and rode an elephant, better than watching Corrie in the kip I suppose.

Later on the night I got the spiciest fish curry known to man, the locals found it funny. Also applied for an e-visa for Sri Lanka in an internet café.