An introduction to Kochi from the Guardian

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May 302012
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It just goes to show that a little persistence can (sort of) pay off. I’ve been bombarding the poor old Guardian for months with tips, opinions and comments. I’ve managed to get a few pieces in Saturday’s newspaper (but none of them has made it to ‘tip of the week’ and netted me that elusive camera … yet). I was lucky enough to have two of my longer essays spotlighted in “Readers’ blogs”. This week I’m stoked to say they chose my piece for their on-line introduction to Kochi (name credit an’all). Here it is, fresh from the Guardian website: Continue reading »

12 things you should know about Kochi

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May 242012
 

Cochin (as its inhabitants prefer to call it) is a collection of islands and peninsulars jammed along the shores of tranquil Vembanad Lake and the Arabian Sea. Each district has a distinct personality, from the colonial trading post of Fort Cochin and concrete towers of Ernakulam, to the sandy beaches of Vypeen Island. A multicultural bubbling hotpot of humanity, Cochin has a place for everyone. Put on your walking boots and jump on the ferry for a flavour of Kerala’s biggest city. Continue reading »

Assam: the ferry to Majuli island

 tales  1 Response »
Apr 302012
 


Every month in the Itinerant Writers Club we write a 500 word essay on a given theme. This month it was “on the road”.

A chicken bustled out of the thick fog then scuttled back. Manjit, our non-English speaking driver, had just navigated in the dark, through several kilometres of corrugated mud and no discernible road, to this fog-bound clay pit. We didn’t understand why he had parked the car next to a deserted shack, but the eerie silence, punctuated by an occasional muffled voice or muted bird call, was a relief after the incessant chatter and clatter of everyday India. Continue reading »