Kerala

Looking for Jesus

where breakfast comes from

Tea plantation

Sela - "I want to be held by the princess"

a dream come true. Skye has already completed her bucket list.

Traffic jam...but what a cool traffic jam

a quiet getaway in India?

We traveled south to the tropical land that Columbus was looking for - full of spices. Even Sela appreciated the potential of the spice trade as she carried around one cardamom pod in her little palm and in various pockets for two days. It was a very sad day when little cardamom jumped ship. She replaced him fairly quickly with a nutmeg 'fruit'?. We traveled around, with trusty Samir, to new places every day, with which the girls did fairly well, considering. We were safe on the winding road, of course, as we were protected by a talisman at the front of the car that had Ganesh, the Muslim Kaaba, and Christ's crucifiction. If in doubt, best be protected by it all - who needs seat belts? The scenery was beautiful and fairly laid back (if we don't count the Santa on speed), from the strangely manicured tea plantations, the spice farms with black pepper trees and vanilla vines, and the calm backwaters. The people we met were friendly. The highlight for the girls was the elephant ride. With Sela's mortal fear of animals such as dogs, squirrels, and banana stealing monkeys, the jury was out on how it would go, but she let us know, with no uncertainty, that she was going to ride in the very front. I think that seeing an elephant pretty much just blew Skye's mind. She was practically hoarse from trumpeting by the end and collapsed in exhaustion just after the experience. We had to alleviate her fears of having her birthday right after Christmas - Happy 1st birthday, little one. I think it made up for the not-so-tasty Plum Yum birthday cake. Riding the elephant was pretty cool, I have to admit. Unfortunately, we did not pack appropriately for the cold, winter 75 - 80 degree weather. Apparently, judging by those around us, the baby should have been dressed in her snow suit and we should have all brought our ski masks, gloves, and ear muffs.