Kerala

Kerala is the California of India! A long tropical state with several hundred kilometers of palm-fringed beaches, great seafood, prosperous economy, a history of doing its own thing, a laid back vibe and enlightened decisions regarding an open-minded society and protecting the environment. Unlike California, and everywhere else, it is the only place in the entire world that has democratically voted in a communist government.

Kerala is also where the gloves come off foodwise for us and we dive into prawns and fish with abandon having avoided them in Rajasthan to protect our stomachs. Well, not completely with abandon. We are careful to ensure the places we are eating in has our best interests at heart, according to our guide and/or research, and we only eat seafood when we are within metres of the source. Everyday seafood is caught fresh from the sea or lake or river (depending on the fish in question) and sold to restaurants from the boats, or caught by the people themselves, so you know it is fresh. 

We also had our first banana leaf thali called a sadya. Just yummy. It was a vegetarian tasting menu on a leaf. 

The next stage of our trip is about to begin. Heading to the Kerala mountains to start trekking through tea and spice plantations.