Post #215 1 April 2020

Gentlefolk,

This post describes our stay at The Mountain Courtyard Resort, Tekkady, Kerala State on 11 March 2020.

From Madurai we took Highway #85 to Allinagaram Our conductor Muthu's home town), then Hwy #183 to Thekkady. The next day continued on #183 to Alleppey.

We've seen lots of highway construction during our time in India, but today for the first time we saw a new railway line under construction (it followed Hwy #85 for a time).  But it seemed a traditional railway, not high-speed.  India is a long, long way behind China in infrastructure (we have heard that the first high-speed train line is planned between Delhi and Varansi).

The coronavirus scare has caught up with us; yesterday the Indian Govt started closing tourist sites where crowds gather.  Fortunately we are nearing the end of our tour.

As we left Madurai behind, started to get more hilly. 

Mainly dry and becoming hilly. A new railway line followed the highway for a while.

People washing in this river.

Leaving the plain, climbing up into the mountains and entering Kerala State.

The Mountain Courtyard Resort, Thekkady (near Periyar National Park).

The last km from the highway was too steep for the bus; we got 4-wheel drive jeeps up to the hotel.

The foyer of the Mountain Courtyard Resort.

Vera with Jodhi, one of the staff of the Mountain Courtyard Resort. She was lovely.

A view of the Resort from our hotel room.  Tranquil, surrounded by forest.

I had a swim in the nice pool.

We were supposed to do a boat ride on the lake at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, but the Govt had stopped such tourist activities.  So instead we did a tour of Abraham's Spice Garden, which has been in operation for 56 years. Knowledgeable guide.

That evening the Resort chef conducted a cooking class for our group.

 ...

The following morning we drove to Alleppey, the subject of my next post.

...

Best wishes, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Vera & Alex Olah
Canberra, Australia
Wednesday, 1 April 2020