Geetanjali sent

Here’s what I think typifies Kerala; caught between the old and the new….the architecture is traditional, but it now used only in “resorts” and hotels….the old hurricane lamp is now lit by a CFL element….and it may not work half the time…yet there is a sense of peace.

We’ve just returned from a trip to Alappuzha, in the neighbouring state of Kerala, to watch the famous (58th year!) Snake Boat Race in the backwaters…it was a lovely trip, though rather expensive (Kerala is very tourist-conscious, spelt F-L-E-E-C-E!)

It was,ultimately a dozen of us who went to Galibore on Sunday….turned out to be a very enjoyable day, though the heat factor made us tired and we returned home earlier than planned.

The Chloropsis..the first time I heard this word I thought, “A bird word that sounds absurd!” But the name’s because its body is a lovely, leafy green. Because of this, the Chloropsis is not easily seen.