Kannur (Kerala), India - December 28th, 2006

Today I visited the St. Angelo Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1505. Great location and views of the town over the Arabian Sea on the S.W. of India.
In the way to the fort, there is a military base and the military guys were happy to chat and break the boredom of their vigilance duties.
Afterwards, I went to another beach closer to town, and, you guessed right! I was the only one in the water. The teenage boys love to come by to see a lady in bathingwuit, but this time I run out of the water and was faster in covering myself up than they realized...no show today, guys!

Kannur (Kerala), India - December 27, 2006

Kannur is located in the Malabar coast and was an important spice trading port, mentioned by the Venetian traveller Marco Polo. Today, it's a pleasnat coastal town with nice beaches.
This morning I visited the Kanhirode Weaver's Co-Op, 20 kms. N.W. of Kannur. It was an interesting experience taking a tour there. I did short videos of ladies spooling and men weaving with cottom threads, and they were thrilled to see themselves doing their job as I play it back. They produce furnishing fabrics, saris, dhotis and fine silks. The head person in charge of Business Office asked me if I was coming from a very wealthy family (it must have been my umbrella that gave it away....just kidding)!
In the afternoon I visited the Kerala Folklore Academy, that used to be a palace. It had a good selection of posters with different folk dances and costumes, also displayed utensils used in the kitchen of the palace when the raja lived there. In the front there was a serene lake with a temple and nice houses around the lake.
Since the weather was hot, I was glad to go to the beach. Again, I was the only one in the water, the waves were a little ruff, but it was pleasant to be in the water. I always choose a spot away from people so I don't offend them with my bikini, but few minutes later, people appear and want to look....I guess my body....those Indians!! so much for their spiritually. Thai people are so relax about the whole thing, and they will allow you your privacy--not the Indian people!

Kannur (Kerala), India - December 26th, 2006

The bus ride from Madikeri to Kannur was thru a very waindy road, but the vegetation was very lush and green. The Western Ghats is a long stretch of foresty and big foliage trees, passing thru small village towns quite colorful.
I arrived early enough to go and visit the Parasinikadavu Temple an hour away. The ride there was very pleasant, tropical scenery and lots of big homes along the way. It seems like there is more affluent people in the Southern areas. I wanted to visit this temple because traditionally they perform regular 'theyyams' every day. They are Kerala's most popular ritualistic art form, developed from folk dances and performed with harvest celebrations as offerings to the deities to keep illness and poverty away. I didn't get to stay long enough to watch it.