At 18:00 Friday, Oman air phoned with the flight details.
Here they are:
1 WY 222N 26APR M COKMCT HK2 0720 0930 /E (first leg Kochi-Muscat)
2 WY 101N 26APR M MCTLHR HK2 1400 1905 /E (second leg Muscat Heathrow).
So all being well we'll be back monday evening (but for us, when we get to brighton it will be like 2 am. Cathy will NOT get to the drop-in Tuesday as we will need a lie in.
We saw a small temple festival yesterday with three elephants and fireworks. This was in a nearby village accross the backwater in Vipen island There weas also a band (cathy says a vast band) with drums and horms. There were young men acting as "cheerleaders" on the elephants which were all decorated with gold.
The band was assisted by regular bangs that appeared to be some kind of firework. Later we saw the man making the bangs. He had several iron tubes embedded in the earth, into which he tamped gunpowder. At the appropriate time he ignited them with a burning brand.
In the evening there were quite spectacular fireworks which had to compete with a thunderstorm which periodically lit up the sky and provided the usual sound effects, until the rain started at which point the fireworks ceased (as did our conversation in the resturant due to the rain drumming on the roof).
We are feeling more relaxed now we actually have a date and may do a little sightseeing tomorrow.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Information (or the lack of it)
The news is hard to fathom from here - a lack of concrete information seems to be the main complaint from others who are stranded, plus a lack of support by airlines.
Banks do'nt seem to have read the news - Cathy told her bank that she would be back from a trip to INDIA in UK on 17th April. So they would not validate a transacton from India made on 19th April. Had to spend 190 Rupees on a call to UK to sort it out but its STILL not working!
Banks do'nt seem to have read the news - Cathy told her bank that she would be back from a trip to INDIA in UK on 17th April. So they would not validate a transacton from India made on 19th April. Had to spend 190 Rupees on a call to UK to sort it out but its STILL not working!
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Our travel plans turn to ashes
We arrived at the airport to be told that "The volcano has caused the cancellation of all flights to London". After trying to explain that we did'nt have volcanoes in England we eventually had to accept that we were remaining in India for the time being.
We have gone to a hotel right on the beach in a place called Cherai. The water is warm and the view nice, and though it is hot, we have air conditioning.
We are quite near the airport in case the situation changes, but since this is not likely, we are now wondering whether we may try to reach Barcelona by air and then continue overland.
However this is only a tentative plan right now.
We can receive emails when the internet is working here (now working on Tueday).
We have gone to a hotel right on the beach in a place called Cherai. The water is warm and the view nice, and though it is hot, we have air conditioning.
We are quite near the airport in case the situation changes, but since this is not likely, we are now wondering whether we may try to reach Barcelona by air and then continue overland.
However this is only a tentative plan right now.
We can receive emails when the internet is working here (now working on Tueday).
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Back to Cochin for the flight home
We've now returned to Ernakulum (the name of the town adjacent to the island of Fort Cochin) and we take a taxi to the airport early tomorrow morning.
We had a quick look at Calicut and its (very old) mosques, beach and city centre on the way here, and then we took a train (air-conditioned class this time) to get here. We did a little shopping last night and today (today is a holiday so many shops are closed) and also took a boat trip to see some of the things we missed last time such as the synagogue. This was a great way to end our sightseeing and also relatively cool as the breeze on deck was a welcome respite from the heat.
We are back in Brighton tomorrow, but for us the arrival time of 9pm will be like 2AM so we'll need a bit of recovery time before engaging with you all.
We had a quick look at Calicut and its (very old) mosques, beach and city centre on the way here, and then we took a train (air-conditioned class this time) to get here. We did a little shopping last night and today (today is a holiday so many shops are closed) and also took a boat trip to see some of the things we missed last time such as the synagogue. This was a great way to end our sightseeing and also relatively cool as the breeze on deck was a welcome respite from the heat.
We are back in Brighton tomorrow, but for us the arrival time of 9pm will be like 2AM so we'll need a bit of recovery time before engaging with you all.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Jungle bliss April 11th
Gaur (Indian buffalo):
Wild elephant:
[Cathy]
We are now indulging in a relaxing (and stimulating) stay at the very luxurious Jungle Retreat on the edge of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. We opted for the bamboo hut (with mosquito net and small biting ants in bed with us at night!) because the bathroom feels as if it's in the open air - highish walls and a roof, but a large gap between, where we can see the wildlife but not be seen. In the morning when we emerge from our room at 6.30 am for a birdwatching walk a herd of spotted deer is resting in front of the hut. We have to be escorted back to our huts/rooms after dark to make sure no elephants have wandered in!
The retreat is on private property just below the Ooty range of the Nilgiris, still at 1500ft above sea level, and nestles in the bowl of hills on a plain surrounded by scrub, only a few kilometres from the Wildlife reserve and its jungle. The reserve is closed because of the drought (and because a French tourist was killed by an elephant 6 months ago - [S]actually she was staying just down the road from this place), but we are able to drive on a public road in the reserve, which we did last night for nearly 3 hours, seeing wild elephants, and working elelphants having their evening bath, gaur (an incredible large and muscular bull bison, crossing the road in front of us) sambhar (deer), spotted deer, mongoose, wild peacocks and a hare from the jeep - no-one is allowed to get out on the road, because of the risks.
The food is fantastic here, and despite Samuel having a slight recurrence of his gut problem, we feel confident that we will have put on all the weight we lost earlier, by the time we return. There is also an open air swimming pool where we can keep cool whilst seeing the mountains on one side and watching the crested tree-swifts as they swoop down to drink from the pool. A large bull also came down to drink today, and a dog, and a cow yesterday - apparently at night deer, leopards and other wild animals come and drink, so they only chlorinate it very lightly.
In the mornings and evenings we go our on wildlife trips, watching at waterholes and exploring the surrounding villages and hills, and in the heat of the day we swim or relax in canvas chairs in front of our cabin watching the birds, deer and mongoose as they pass by. Fabulous!
Wild elephant:
[Cathy]
We are now indulging in a relaxing (and stimulating) stay at the very luxurious Jungle Retreat on the edge of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. We opted for the bamboo hut (with mosquito net and small biting ants in bed with us at night!) because the bathroom feels as if it's in the open air - highish walls and a roof, but a large gap between, where we can see the wildlife but not be seen. In the morning when we emerge from our room at 6.30 am for a birdwatching walk a herd of spotted deer is resting in front of the hut. We have to be escorted back to our huts/rooms after dark to make sure no elephants have wandered in!
The retreat is on private property just below the Ooty range of the Nilgiris, still at 1500ft above sea level, and nestles in the bowl of hills on a plain surrounded by scrub, only a few kilometres from the Wildlife reserve and its jungle. The reserve is closed because of the drought (and because a French tourist was killed by an elephant 6 months ago - [S]actually she was staying just down the road from this place), but we are able to drive on a public road in the reserve, which we did last night for nearly 3 hours, seeing wild elephants, and working elelphants having their evening bath, gaur (an incredible large and muscular bull bison, crossing the road in front of us) sambhar (deer), spotted deer, mongoose, wild peacocks and a hare from the jeep - no-one is allowed to get out on the road, because of the risks.
The food is fantastic here, and despite Samuel having a slight recurrence of his gut problem, we feel confident that we will have put on all the weight we lost earlier, by the time we return. There is also an open air swimming pool where we can keep cool whilst seeing the mountains on one side and watching the crested tree-swifts as they swoop down to drink from the pool. A large bull also came down to drink today, and a dog, and a cow yesterday - apparently at night deer, leopards and other wild animals come and drink, so they only chlorinate it very lightly.
In the mornings and evenings we go our on wildlife trips, watching at waterholes and exploring the surrounding villages and hills, and in the heat of the day we swim or relax in canvas chairs in front of our cabin watching the birds, deer and mongoose as they pass by. Fabulous!
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Happy Easter
[Cathy]
Greetings to all and a very happy day for me with Samuel on his feet again, and looking much better. We are staying in a lovely old house, which is now a YWCA hostel, overlooking Coonoor proper, with a belt of trees separating us from the tea plantation between us and the town.The town is apparently noisy and busy, so I'm not sorry not to have been down there yet, but the hills around us are great for walking in and fine views so we'll hope to do that in the next few days, and then move on to Ooty.Our plans to go on the Nilgiri steam railway were foiled, as there was damage to the track during the last monsoon, which has not yet been repaired.
We took our first train in India from Trichy to Coimbatore - 6 hours travelling, plus an hour on the train before it left, to ensure we got seats. We had single seats opposite each other by a window, which was fantastic, as the crowds of people cramming onto the bench seats and into the luggage racks barely affected us. We had plenty to drink, but our food supply, tucked on the floor inside our messenger bags, was invaded by pharoah's ants and had to be chucked away at the next station. We had enough to keep us going, but were very exhausted by the time we got to our hotel in Coimbatore. Although we had felt fine when we left Trichy, neither of us felt good over the next day or so, fussy about food and a bit irritable and tired.
As there was no Steam railway we took a bus to Coonoor, planning to take the diesel to Ooty from there as that part of the track was unaffected, after staying a night or two in this lovely hotel. We also hoped we might get a chance to see the steam engines, as they are housed in Coonoor. The really steep bit is between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, and we could see the track running parallel to the road, with the ratchet teeth in the middle ( the only reason the steam train has survived - no deisel could do such a steep climb). Our bus drove round a lot of hairpin bends through forests, round deep valleys and ravines - wonderful journey!
We hear the diesel leaving for Ooty several times a day, but at present we are very happy here - cool breezes, pleasant temperatures for walking early and late in the day - still hot in the middle of the day. The first time since Munnar that we have been in a hotel room without a fan, because it isn't needed. Shame about Samuel's ill health, but we are ready for action now, and already planning our next adventures into Wildlife sanctuaries. Only 11 days now before we leave India!
Greetings to all and a very happy day for me with Samuel on his feet again, and looking much better. We are staying in a lovely old house, which is now a YWCA hostel, overlooking Coonoor proper, with a belt of trees separating us from the tea plantation between us and the town.The town is apparently noisy and busy, so I'm not sorry not to have been down there yet, but the hills around us are great for walking in and fine views so we'll hope to do that in the next few days, and then move on to Ooty.Our plans to go on the Nilgiri steam railway were foiled, as there was damage to the track during the last monsoon, which has not yet been repaired.
We took our first train in India from Trichy to Coimbatore - 6 hours travelling, plus an hour on the train before it left, to ensure we got seats. We had single seats opposite each other by a window, which was fantastic, as the crowds of people cramming onto the bench seats and into the luggage racks barely affected us. We had plenty to drink, but our food supply, tucked on the floor inside our messenger bags, was invaded by pharoah's ants and had to be chucked away at the next station. We had enough to keep us going, but were very exhausted by the time we got to our hotel in Coimbatore. Although we had felt fine when we left Trichy, neither of us felt good over the next day or so, fussy about food and a bit irritable and tired.
As there was no Steam railway we took a bus to Coonoor, planning to take the diesel to Ooty from there as that part of the track was unaffected, after staying a night or two in this lovely hotel. We also hoped we might get a chance to see the steam engines, as they are housed in Coonoor. The really steep bit is between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, and we could see the track running parallel to the road, with the ratchet teeth in the middle ( the only reason the steam train has survived - no deisel could do such a steep climb). Our bus drove round a lot of hairpin bends through forests, round deep valleys and ravines - wonderful journey!
We hear the diesel leaving for Ooty several times a day, but at present we are very happy here - cool breezes, pleasant temperatures for walking early and late in the day - still hot in the middle of the day. The first time since Munnar that we have been in a hotel room without a fan, because it isn't needed. Shame about Samuel's ill health, but we are ready for action now, and already planning our next adventures into Wildlife sanctuaries. Only 11 days now before we leave India!
Drip, drip..
[Samuel]
The digestive infection picked up in Madurai came back on reaching Coonoor, affecting me quite badly and I have ended up on a drip (in the local hospital) for two days.
Fortunately the hospital is right next to the hotel as the hospitals do not cater for inpatients and so Cathy has had to ferry meals from the hotel to the hospital for two days.
[They were marvellous about cooking really simple easily digestible food, for me to take, boiled potatoes and baked fish, or rice. Samuel couldn't face eggs or dal and neither of us could cope with anything curried [Cathy]]
Cathy did a marvellous job of looking after me despite having some symptoms herself (which the hospital successfully treated) and the hospital provided excellent care in terms of nursing, though as you'd expect in a poor country, the facilities are fairly basic (but cheap by western standards).
Everything was itemised on the bill down to each piece of plaster to hold in the canula (IV drip), and even the cost of bill preparation!
I am feeling fine now although a little thinner and we will rest for a couple of days at least until we are both fully recovered. We'll probably stay for a few more days to explore the area (which has some lovely scenery) - so far Cathy has been limited to the gardens around the hotel - where she has seen some new birds.
The digestive infection picked up in Madurai came back on reaching Coonoor, affecting me quite badly and I have ended up on a drip (in the local hospital) for two days.
Fortunately the hospital is right next to the hotel as the hospitals do not cater for inpatients and so Cathy has had to ferry meals from the hotel to the hospital for two days.
[They were marvellous about cooking really simple easily digestible food, for me to take, boiled potatoes and baked fish, or rice. Samuel couldn't face eggs or dal and neither of us could cope with anything curried [Cathy]]
Cathy did a marvellous job of looking after me despite having some symptoms herself (which the hospital successfully treated) and the hospital provided excellent care in terms of nursing, though as you'd expect in a poor country, the facilities are fairly basic (but cheap by western standards).
Everything was itemised on the bill down to each piece of plaster to hold in the canula (IV drip), and even the cost of bill preparation!
I am feeling fine now although a little thinner and we will rest for a couple of days at least until we are both fully recovered. We'll probably stay for a few more days to explore the area (which has some lovely scenery) - so far Cathy has been limited to the gardens around the hotel - where she has seen some new birds.
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