Shri Chitra Ayurhome, near Thrissur, Kerala

Last night (Friday Feb 4th), took a cruise down the backwaters from our hotel, Taj Gateway. Was feeling quesy from a day in the sun (checked out a few 16th century Portuguese/Dutch churches and walked around Fort Cochin, and learned the history of the Chinese, spice trade, etc of the region), so missed the cultural performances at the hotel. Then jumped in the car for a 2hr ride to Thrissur. We reached by 11pm and took rest.  The next day was filled with interesting experiences which I'll elaborate on at some point - a 45min medicated buttermilk treatment (which could be mistaken for water torture!) along with a coconut oil massage (had to get rid of ALL the clothes but they were so kind to fasten a kind of groincloth around me!) which involved 2 therapists massaging simultaneously. The tough part was it was on a wood bed, slightly uncomfortable at times...(Pathi is the name of the Indian tree it's from). Then had a steam treatment to wrap it up.  Quite amazing actually, all the things included with a stay at centers like these.  On the 3rd (Day 1 of Cochin), we checked out Nimmy Paul's cooking class, and got a great taste of South India thereafter (Kingfish, a GIANT prawn, 

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with the parents in Periyar in 2 days time, to go on the Tiger safari.

Sorry if that was too detailed!

Nah