“please stand clear this elephant is reversing.”

22/3/11

We got up early and rented some moped to explore another Island. This time we had helmets but a stretch of water stood between us and our intended destination. We found the car ferry, joined a relatively orderly queue and watched the other cars disembark. Then the engines revved and we had to board the boat. As neither of us are the most accomplished riders of the oversized lawnmowers that we had rented this was the cue for a Loral and Hardy moment. I squeezed on and James had to wait to allow a large lorry to get on. I parked my bike on a ramp and consequently had to hold the hand break for the journey and James lost a flip flop when trying to get off the ferry when it arrived.

Having “successfully” got to the other island we set off along the only road with the vaguest of directions. Follow the road for 5km passing over 4 bridges. Some 15km and 10 bridges later we found the turning we were looking for and headed towards the beech. On the way we noticed a large number of red flags and hammer and sickle signs. Thinking we had wandered into some form of paradise for Colin and Jean Grandfield we consulted the guide book and found that Kochin has had a freely elected communist government for 30 years. The result is the best literacy and heath rates in the whole of India.

Fortunately the day out was about the adventure of bike riding and seeing the backwaters as we were somewhat under whelmed by the beech. The coast was littered with every conceivable type of rubbish and there was about 2 meters of sand before the rough rough sea came in. Being British we decided that the best course of action was lunch and a beer followed by recreating a scene from Blackpool. We hunkered down on a sun longer and hoped that our stuff would not be washed out to sea. It was significantly hooter then blackpool but just about as windy! After a relaxing hour or so we decided that we would explore the backwater area and we were rewarded with a number of beautiful sites. We saw anchovies being dried on the hot tarmac, a cow bathing in the river, palm trees running down to still waters and many fishermen.

On our return journey we got into the horn blowing and enjoyed the ride. Reaching the heady speeds of 40km per hour whilst watching for the demonic bus drivers we coasted back to the ferry. The return journey passed without incident and feeling pleased with ourselves we headed out for an evening plying cards, overlooking the sea and drinking special tea.

23/3/11

Rising at 6am we set off to and elephant training centre. Here we watched the baby elephants be washed and wow what a sight. The elephants lay down in the river and were scrubbed with the outside of a coconut. We thought the 5 year olds looked big (8ft tall) until a fully grown elephant lumbered into view. My god it was massive and had huge tusks and feet the size of dinner plates that resembled the underside of a mosisan slipper. In loped down a steep bank and dutifully lay down for its wash.. At this point it was clear that health and safety risk assessments had not reached India as this elephant lumbered past us within touching distance. When it turned round it was advisable to move for fear of it knocking you over. In the UK we would have been 10 meters back and the elephant probably fitted with revising lights and appropriate sounder “please stand clear this elephant is reversing.”