Feels great to be back home though I am dealing with a flooded bathroom. Our friend went to have a shower at 5.30am, before leaving to take the flight to Mumbai….and the bathroom, in true Murphy style, developed a huge leak from the pipes…. AND the control valve, which would shut off the water to the bathroom, is also broken) and a mass of contusions and bruises from three falls in Kodaikanal (alas, I wish they were waterfalls, but they are my-body falls to the pavement or road!)

One of the things I have noticed in the town is that though there is a large lake, with plenty of fish, and lots of tall trees, I have not seen any PARIAH KITES, BRAHMINY KITES, nor have I seen any raptors, even 10km away from the town. I find this very intriguing. Is it something to do with the altitude of the place? Or is it because garbage is cleaned up well?

I am really impressed by the way garbage is handled in Kodaikanal. Though the Kodai festival is one, and there is a huge influx of both day trippers as well as staying tourists, the lakeside area remains pretty clean, and I find a lot of pourakramiks/pourakramikas hard at work early in the morning, cleaning up the area. The lake, too, is remarkably plastic- and trash-free. Where there is a will, there is, indeed, a way.

Overheard here:

Caught this Bulbul, all wet after the rain, having got its lunch….