A DAY AT THE RACES

 

 

Only a short bus ride away

is the Karnatican town of

Kattapadi and this years

venue for the 2015 state

water buffalo racing

championships.

 

These majestic beasts can

clear 150 mts in less than

10 seconds thundering

along the specially laid track.

 

 

Large crowds are drawn to

see the spectacular event

for the stakes are high with

large cash prizes and annual

prestigious awards up for

grabs.

 

The jockeys run along behind

the team or in some instances

rides a mini surf board lashed

to the yoke.

 

These champion creatures

are enjoying a cooling bath

after their time trials.

 

Worth Lahks of Rupees the

owners take great care of

the racing buffaloes ensuring

their fitness and wellbeing.

 

The sport originates from the

days when rice farmers would

rush home for lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

HANDLOOM OUTLET

 

The best fabric is without doubt 100% cotton hand loom. This

colourful shop sells the work of the weavers from throughout the

state. These cottage industrialists produce bedsheets,blankets,

saris,lungies,shirtings,suitings,blouse pieces,bath towels and many

other domestic items.

 

 

Love from X RJB X

YARD OF TEA

 

Here on the Kasaragode

Market street is a 5 star

natural A/C tea stall.

 

Sandwiched betwixt the

fish market and slaughter

house it enjoys cool fresh

breezes from the Arabian

Sea.

 

To throughly dissolve the

sugar and to cool and froth

the brew this pouring action

is deployed.

 

See the man in action...

http://youtu.be/yUSipwb3mGo

 

 

Love from X RJB X

BETELGEUSE

 

This wholesaler supplies

the mildly narcotic Arecanut.

(Areca catechu)

 

Chewed by scores of millions

of Indians habitually it remains

the favourite pass-time of the

working man.

 

The green leaves come from the

Betel vine (Piperaceae) and are

used to create an envelope for

the pungent preparation.

 

 

 

 

Cured tobacco leaf is shredded

into the mixture along with lime

paste to increase salivation.

 

The practice is causing high

increases of oral complaint

amongst users,and although

factory made packets are

outlawed in Kerala these

raw materials are prevalent.

 

 

 

 

This Paan retailer prepares

raps at the Kasaragode bus

station.

 

Business is brisk during the

morning rush as for some

people no trip is complete

without that hit.

 

For a few Rupees the pains

of the daily commute are

softened but the side effects

can be harsh.

 

 

 

 

This is what it does to your

teeth after years of persistent

indulgence.

 

The kick is somewhat like

drinking a half pint of mild

beer, but as with all these

vices, tolerance levels rise

leaving the user hooked.

 

Government health warnings

explain to us the dangers but

"old habits die hard".

To see what happens to your

brain watch this clip...

http://youtu.be/m6mIizmtMKM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

MEDICINE SHOP

ARYA VAIDYASALA

 

 

 

Ayurvedic pharmacies are very common

place here. Specialising in Kerala's famous

traditional method of health and medicine,

which is based on the balance of bodily

systems and uses diet ,herbal treatment

and yogic breathing to great effect.

 

Meaning : Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit

Ayus (life) + Veda (sacred knowledge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

INDIAN BREAKFAST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savoury, crispy-skinned donuts (Vada)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A healthier choice is Vada in sweet

yogurt with coriander ( Thair vada )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep fried puffed up breads with potato,Chili,

onion & turmeric curry.( Puri bahji )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crispy crepes with a veg filling similar to

bubble & squeak served with hot curry and

coconut chutney ( Masala dosa )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steamed rice flour dumplings served with

chilli hot samba & coconut chutney ( Idlli )

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

PROGRESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The development corporation have constructed

this beautifully smooth road complete with red

and yellow cats eyes, white lines and zebra

crossings , 5 kms long from Melparamba town

to Chembarikka village beach.

 

Mahatma Gandhi was in favour of progress but

said "it should be from the village up and not the

city down".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the main road at Melparamba that runs

to the city so it seems in this instance his wishes

have been listened too.

 

 

Love from X RJB X

RUN KERALA RUN

KASARGODE CITY CONTINGENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kerala prepares to host the 35th national

games next month and today's (20/1/15)

launch of a 2 km fun run was enjoyed

throughout the state. Flagged off here by

senior townsmen and clergy.

 

CHEMBARIKKA CONTINGENT

School children of Chembarikka join in the fun.

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

CITY WATERWAY

KASARGODE BOATYARD

A short walk from the city centre towards the beach I discovered

this lagoon surrounded by a mangrove type swamp. It's Sunday

morning so there's no action to be seen but just these half sunk

boats. I've been invited to a marriage party tomorrow so watch

this space...

 

Love from X RJB X

PATCH WORKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday's are rest day's for Kasagod

fishermen and time to catch up with

net repairs.

 

Friendly bunch of chaps, nice life

on the beach, smoking jive and

feeling alive.

 

Love from X RJB X

FISHER WOMEN

KASARAGOD MARKETING

 

Lines of fisher women stall

out to sell their small fry.

 

The fresh smell of the sea

fills the air along with the

deafening chittering of the

deals being undertaken.

 

See the muscles on that

women's back, lifting big

baskets of fish and a

perfect diet creates good

health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

HOOKED UP

KASARAGOD FISH MARKET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line caught King fish at Kasargod fish

market . Swing a left off M G road at the

bannana shop and follow your nose.

 

Be sure to roll your trouser legs or lift ones

lungi to avoid smelly cloth edge. It's a better

hit than tin Tuna and no Dolphins are suffering.

 

Love from X RJB X

FISH STEAKS

KASARGODE MARKET

 

Today's lunch - slabs of

King fish. At Rs/500 per

kilo there's enough to

feed the whole family.

 

Along with rice,vegetables,

coconut prawn curry and

salad followed by papaya

a 5 star yet homely meal

is today's feast.

 

The fish market is on a

steep slope and the melting

ice causes a river of fish

juice to flow downstream.

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

SCALEY BACKS

This fishwife has great

King fish (Ayakoora)

Sold by the Kilo and cut

crossways into steaks

this fish is considered

a fine delicious choice.

 

Lunch times with Hameed

and his family are what

makes this vacation such

a joy, improving my health

and morale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

CHEMBARIKKA GUYS

 

Chembarikka men made this

poster to send best wishes

on the occasion of Id-E-Milad

(birthday of the prophet

Mohammed)

 

Shafi son of Hameed can be

seen top left alongside all

his best friends.

 

These chaps are Chembirika's

finest blood, and jolly good

fellows .The villages future is

secure in their hands.

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

CHEMBARIKKA ISLAND

Here lies the beautiful Chembarikka island, the most delightful,

tranquil and serene spot on the Malabar coast . Unkown for its

golden sands and warm sea it remains yet undiscovered due

to it's unique remoteness.

Equally serene is the adjacent lagoon, a mini backwater .

Watch a short film called Chembirika river boat (2:45)

https://youtu.be/VDqpFAh0QEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

PRAWN CASH

KASARGODE FISH MARKET

Hameed scores a bag of

crustaceans for our meal

at Rs/300 per Kilo .

 

Every day we visit the fish

market here in the old city

market street.

 

Beautifully prepared by his

wife and daughter back at

his homestead, the true

flavour of Kerala is here.

 

I'm so glad to be local and

at last can get my power

back after some delay.

 

 

Love from X RJB X

CHEMBARIKKA CITYSCAPE

CHEMBARIKKA TOWN SQUARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Godsend Malabar village of Chembirika is home to the friendliest bunch

of guys you could ever meet. The hub of this village is Al Ameen stores from

where I publish this blog. This unspoiled beachfront community enjoys the

beauties of the Arabian Sea and the Coconut tree Thengh maram.

 

 

 

 

 

Love from X RJB X

GODS OWN COUNTRY

 

At last I've landed here at my

favourite place where the

beaches are long ,deserted,

and coconut fringed as always

the natives are friendly.

 

The city itself is the most

pleasurable municipality

having no industry and

green leafy back roads.

 

This temple ritual performer

Kuliyan blessed us on our

first day in the fishing village

of Kizhoor .

 

See Kuliyan in my short video...

 

http://youtu.be/XiL1nh8PNM0

 

Love from X RJB X