Slowly through the backwaters

We walked with our guide through a garden which was a living 

spice cupboard - pepper. nutmeg, curry leaves, cumin, vanilla, 

naming but a few, plus tea bushes and coffee plants.  Lush

and green.  Eventually to our rice boat and a morning just

drifting through the backwaters.

Life is simple here - or so it appears.

Glimpses of fields abundant with banana

groves, spiky pineapple plants.  In wider

parts Chinese fishing nets.   In the water

fish and snakes (non poisonous we were

told).  Above bright kingfishers, parrots,

tiny bright birds and raucous crows.

Coconut palms every where,  Along the

way ladies making coir 'string'.  The husks of

 the coconut are soaked to release the fibres.

   When dry they are gathered into a bundle

and wrapped in a corner of a sari.  

A handful is  rolled. attached to a

cording machine. The ladies walk

backwards, feeding the dried coir.

Coconut leaves are woven

Banana leaf mat and coir string

Note the stylish bicycle baskets

Not your usual family pet