HARTEL TOTAL

A beautiful peaceful day here in Kumily, the general strike held between the hours of six am and six pm. Only a few two wheelers plied the roads. All shutters remained down and no masala dosas met the griddle. Looking forward to the next strike, in Kerala there is normally two per month.

 

SHUTTERS DOWN

All India general strike today in protest against the governments demonetisation of the 1000 and 500 Rupee notes. 

So many common people who earn below the tax threshold and have managed to save over the years have lost life savings, unable to bank this money as all unaccounted cash carries a 200% penalty.

 

Meanwhile fat cats and fraudsters, who keep money in BIG suitcases, have laundered their black cash at a commission rate of 20% into the new 2000 notes and now only need small suitcases.

Expecting more trouble to come...

KERALA MEALS

Jolly good lunching at Visanth Vihar restaurant for midday and fill myself up with Ayurvedic drinking water mix from the hot jug, this aids digestion, all washed down with a Sweet Lassi. 

GOLDEN TIME

Mornings are special to me, early to rise and off down the local Chia shop for tea always ordered "without sugar", strangely and annoyingly it often tastes sweet. The Chia lady's excuse is "this is Kerala - the milk is sweet, the water is sweet".

MYSTICAL HIGH RANGE

The Kerala hills run the entire length of the state, known as the Western Ghats they are home to Tigers, tea plantations and spice gardens.

The perfect place to acclimatise to the heat of the tropics as the mornings are often misty but do normally burn off by midday leaving beautiful sunny afternoons.

 Looking forward to visiting the jungle again and reading Kipling "Plain Tales from the Hills"

MONEY MATTERS

Click >> http://economictimes demonetised-notes << 

Here's the new 2000 rupee note

The Indian Prime ministers surprise announcement to make 1000 and 500 notes non legal tender has left the country in turmoil.

I haven't been able to change any money yet as the banks are restricting businesses to 25,000 rupees withdrawals weekly, this includes licensed foreign exchange bureau so shutters are down.

To make matters worse the Pound has lost 20% against the Rupee since Brexit !

WELCOME TO KERALA

 

NAMASTE AND WELCOME TO KERALA THE TROPICAL STATE OF INDIA.

#WANDERLUST

Summer is over here in England and it's time to plan another trip to tropical Kerala.

My visa is applied for and airline ticket booked.

Equipped with a new video camera by Panasonic I'm hoping to capture some moments to share.

I'm scheduled to get going midd November so I've got a month to organise the rest of my kit.

RJB is going tropical again.

 

 

More soon...

MEMORABLE CHARACTERS

 

 

 

   

         

 

 

XRJBX

BYE BYE KASARAGOD

 

It's been a wonderful few months here in district 14, the jewel in Kerala's crown. I've only seen one other westerner briefly in that time and that suits me fine.

So it's bye bye to Chembirika beach.

Bye bye to the market place.

And a big bye bye to my dear friends, Hameed, Shafi and Ameen at Al-Ameen store.

 

XRJBX

VASANTH VIHAR

The best restaurant in the city of Kasaragod is without a doubt Vasanth Vihar pure veg.

 

Curd Vada (rice flour donuts in yogurt) with sprouted Mung beans.

Masala Dosa with Gobi Manchurian and sweet Lassi.

Gooli bhaji with coconut chutney.

 

XRJBX

FISH,CURRY AND RICE

I've been eating a lot of fantastic food in Kasaragod, it's so nice to be beside the seaside, beside the sea, the Malabar fish taste divine.

Kingfish steaks.

Biryanis.

Chilli Prawns.

 

XRJBX

WALL OF DEATH

I've been to Pallakunnu Bharini and witnessed a death defying act, at Rupees 50 per head these showmen are raking it in and deserve every penny. 

Enjoy my short film...

                                 >> youtu.be <<

ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET

These beautifully built motorcycles are making a comeback now in India after the fascination of Japanese imports has died off. I've seen more and more new models such as this recently than any other type. And priced at only Rs-150,000 (£1500) I'm not surprised its popularity has risen.

Old is Gold.

 

XRJBX

SHIVARATRI

Shivaratri festival today ...7/3/16

BOOM SHANKA SHIVA

 

 

Post office closed

 

XRJBX

SUNGLASSES

Out in the tropics it's important to have good sunglasses, the problem is hanging on to them as my niece explains here...

Thanks Ruby your a star ⭐️

SWEENEY TODD

Kerala police are always ready for action.

Smart uniforms and fantastic livery.

Keeping the roads safer.

Some important telephone numbers should you ever need them.

 

Bamboo massage by appointment.

 

XRJBX