We has opulence.

Tea at the Taj Palace Hotel!

What was going to be our last day in Mumbai turned into our penultimate day as well as quite swanky.  First, we woke up early (ugh), then met up with one of my brother's friends from Notre Dame!  He and his family live here and took us to lunch at the Cricket Club of India down-town. This is one of those places with rules like no slip on shoes and men cannot wear shorts - so Jefferson zipped on the bottom half of his pants and we were good to go! It was neat to see folks playing cricket just outside the restaurant and the food was delicious - but Dhiraj and his wife were shocked to see how little we ate.  Per them, Americans that visit usually eat a ton of food - and to be honest, Jefferson and I are usually pretty healthy eaters - but the heat and the 2.5 months travelling has shrunk our tummy's a bit.

The best part was when they took us to that same cafe we had trouble finding the other day - Theobroma. Here, Dhiraj, master-of-desserts, advised me to not just try the regular brownie again, but instead to order the "chocolate overload" brownie. This man is not to be argued with - that was most definitely the right decision.  Suparna (Dhiraj's wife), then took me shopping - so they are definitely my favorite couple in all of India right now. They had dinner plans so we parted ways, but not before they pointed us to "the best Mexican food in Mumbai".  So, of course, that's where we had dinner.

What to do to kill time before said dinner? How's about tea/coffee at the fancy Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai?  Last time we were in India (2008), we were at the Taj Mahal (the real thing - different city) when this lovely hotel was bombed during a terrorist attack. Since then they have renovated, upped security and reopened and it's a very posh hotel to sip tea at.  I approve of their ambiance, but most especially I approve and appreciate their bathrooms - so clean and nice. 

It's time to say goodbye to John the cockroach (who I sometimes call Bob) and his twin Andy at our hotel and be off!  Next we are headed to the hot, hot town of Jaipur for a few days, then on to Delhi a bit early to say hi to some of Jefferson's family friends.  We will be home and at work exactly three weeks from today - AH!  Toodaloo!

A different kind of cheese "burger".

Pasta face!

I was pooped on today.

Do you know how much shampoo I just used? I may never feel clean again and I would like the opportunity to return the favor to whatever bird used the top of my head as a bullseye. Alas, I didn't keep a sample to track him down with a DNA test so revenge will not be mine. Grrrrr. Anywho, it will be a while before I am comfortable walking under trees again.

Besides that, Mumbai has been interesting. We got to jump off a moving train because people didn't get out of our way at our stop - FUN!  We spent over an hour walking around in search of a specific cafe and asked a bunch of folks if they knew it but no luck, so we went and got beers at an Irish pub with strong air conditioning. Close enough.

Jefferson hanging out the moving train like a local!

We did stumble across a Starbucks so Jefferson is getting a coffee fix finally and I am having a chai - nom! (masala chai is everywhere but chai lattes are rare indeed). Then a few hours later we found that darn cafe finally and for the second time in Mumbai I have had a ridiculously delicious chocolate brownie. Seriously good.  Heated up brownies too - double nom! I will be getting another tomorrow. Gotta have goals.

Rainbow cake that looks AMAZING.

 

A Call to Arms!

Caution! Men with purses!

We are just over two months into our trip and that means it's just over two months since I had me some Chipoodles. I implore you - go forth to your nearest Chipoodles location and take a picture of yourself enjoying it's glorious fare, then send me said picture (via email or google voice number).  NOM NOM NOM.

Ok, so back to the regular scheduled update: We're still in India (land of constant upper lip sweat) and have been to the touristy beach towns of Varkala (we liked it so much we stayed for six days) and Kovalam.  Jefferson was in Kovalam 20 years ago and was interested to see how much it has changed - and boy has it.  Things like side-walks are now to be had - very interesting and very touristy - but no where near as nice and quaint as Varkala was - so just two nights here will suffice.  The locals are nice but a bit pushy about selling their wares - except the nice man offering me hashish, marijuana or opium - he couldn't have been more pleasant even though he got my same "Oh no thank you!" response.

Pretty Varkala!

In Varkala we saw two doppelgänger - I swear it!  First, was at our favorite happy hour bar (where they play the same set of good music every night) - and the Indian man working there was a dead ringer for Keenan Ivory Wayans (I think the oldest of the Wayans brothers).  You may remember him from the film, "Low Down Dirty Shame".  Or you  may not.  Anyway - they were twinsies for sure.  Next up was Thor's nearly-as-attractive doppelgänger - who sat next to us two days in a row at our usual café.  I tried to take a sly picture of him behind Jefferson (see below) but it didn't come out that great. 

Thor's doppelgänger! (behind Jefferson)

Our last night it rained like crazy and the power went out (as it did quite often) over dinner - which was really fun since there were candles and we were under cover.  My only true complaint so far is that we're getting a bit too much sun.  I normally have a complexion a goth would kill for, but we can't help but get some sun in this hot, hot heat.  it's like a farmers tan but not tan, exactly. Super attractive.  Hopefully I'll get back to my powdery pale self once we're home.

Next we are off to Mumbai (formerly Bombay - where Slumdog Millionaire took place).  We shall report back soon!

How to use a bathroom in India. Very helpful.

Those French know how to breakfast.

The Backwaters

Welcome to the Backwaters!

So...the Backwaters of Kerala may be a bit too "roughing it" for me. I'm not Troop Beverly Hills, but I'm no Girl Scout any more (unless they are like the Marines and you're in it for life). We are on a house boat for the night and by day we made our slow way through scenic waters with a great breeze and a nice lunch (more Indian food I didn't hate!). But then dusk started in and with it came snakes and lizards and spiders and power outages and a plethora of freaking mosquitos. All within ten feet our less of me and I do not like nature touching me. But I did get to "shower" out of a bucket! Plus dinner was good! That snake didn't seem interested in coming aboard! That dog that Jefferson said might have rabies didn't bite us! Things are great!

Yummy lunch!

A boat just like our boat!

Oh no, is that dusk?

Jefferson wasn't too thrilled with the experience either, so we have moved on to the beach town of Varkala. Think cliffs and beach more than white sands. We like it lots and will probably stay for a few days drinking tea and coffee at each cliffside restaurant we find. 

Mosquito bite count: (including the two on my face since I slept with the rest of me covered) 12.

Of all seven countries so far, this is the worst Mexican food yet!

Morning tea in a cliff-side café (can you see the ocean?).

A better view of the cliffs and beach.

Oh India...

Chinese pose in front of Chinese fish nets.

We are in the southern state of Kerela, India for the next few weeks going where the wind may take us. What can I say about India? For starters, Jefferson was right about two things. One, it is an assault on all of your senses. Two, he did not think I understood what Kerela would be like when I kept saying it would be beautiful and tropical. It definitely has the exact same good and bad as the other parts of India I have seen (i.e. Beautiful colors, great smells, horrible smells, poverty, etc.). But sometimes I don't want to breathe in through my nose but I am also afraid to keep my mouth open. It IS tropical and I have high hopes for more beauty as we travel more through Kerela (we have only been in Kochi so far).

I am super happy to say I have liked some of the food! Two whole dishes so far. And I don't just think its because I was starving. Masala Dosa and Chana Bathura (even though this one has chick peas).

Cool graffiti in Fort Kochi.

Now, the last time we were here, we were both asked to be in lots of pictures and were stared at a ton.  I'm getting my fair share of that here in the south but nowhere NEAR as much as Jefferson. This guy is like a celebrity! One pair of dudes even pulled over to ask if he would be in their advertisement. He politely declined, so I guess there goes his modeling career. 

Yesterday we took a ferry over to Fort Kochi island (land of many goats) and somehow walked by the fort twice but never actually saw it. We may be the best tourists ever. We did, however, catch a Kathakali show - which is translated story-play - and is expressive dancing and acting using facial expressions but no words. I really enjoyed it and it was cool to see them apply the elaborate makeup before the show began.

Goats enforcing "Post no bills" rule.

Kathakali make-up application!

We are off to our next destination today to continue sweating from every last pore on our bodies,  practice eating one handed, head waggling and counting staches. The mustache is alive and well in India. Woo!

AFT.

Just...wow.

This place is everything that Pinterest led me to believe it would be.  Staying at a classy resort sure does help too - and the water and the sky are just beautiful here.  We got the all inclusive package and I did my best the last few days to eat and drink everything in site.  Everything.  Here are some highlights and then a ton of pictures of how awesome this place is:

• Our first night was our anniversary and it was Mexican food night at the buffet!  How perfect for us!
• There are cute surprises all over the island like hidden drinks and snacks and things - some pics of those are below.
• Our turn-down service did lots of cute towel formations on our bed each night - including a nice happy anniversary.  Everyone here is paid to be super nice and they are doing a great job of it.
• We got to watch sharks being fed (little black tip reef ones) and I got a good video of it - so we'll post that whenever we finally post all our videos.
• THEY HAVE A PHOTO BOOTH. YUS.
• Day: https://www.flickr.com/photos/83273966@N05/13754756313/
• 'N Night: https://www.flickr.com/photos/83273966@N05/13760639953/
• I got to have high tea - including a tiered tray of little sandwiches and snacks - I love that.
• Our sea plane to and from the resort was piloted by a dude not wearing shoes - hilarious.
• The water is so pretty that even I wanted to swim in it!  We snorkeled one day and once I got over my fear of fish touching me, I really enjoyed it.
• Crabs are disgusting  and terrifying, in my opinion (Jefferson thinks they are cute). The way they walk makes me shudder.
• There is a phenomenon where Chinese couples wear matching outfits and we have seen that in abundance here - and I'm convinced we need to get a matching outfit now.
• Infinity pools are really cool.
• Just everything!  Our overwater bungalow was everything I hoped it would be - I just loved it!

Sea plane ride!

View of coral reefs from sea plane.

Day one - carlsberg label champagne on our porch.

Sea plane to and from resort.

Our first night sunset on ze beach!

View from our bungalow (facing in towards the island).

Karen at high tea.

Yes I am.

We just worked out - can't you tell?

Man...grove.

The view from our overwater bungalow porch. LOVES.

Liberachi on the beach at dinner.

All four of them.

Official footwear of Trans Maldivian Airlines.

Jefferson on a rope swing!

K.L.

Petronas Towers (in the background, not Jefferson's fingers)

We took an eight-hour night boat (everyone gets their own pallet to sleep on!), to a four-hour mini-van (never sit in the way back - the bumps are intense), to a ten-hour double decker bus (big chairs, super comfy, waaaay too much AC goin' on) - and BOOM.  We're in Kuala Lumpur.

I bought prophetic stickers

It's a big city with tons of "Western" things like Kenny Rogers Roasters, Chili's and lots of Starbucks. We went up to the mall at the base of the Petronas Towers (very Harry Potter of them to name it like that), and spent one of the two days we have here relaxing.  We saw Captain America (Winter Solider) at the theatre they have there and then I got sick! At the mall! I will not go into detail!  It's only the third time on this trip though, and just like the others I have no idea what caused it - but I'm right as rain now. Probably. Today we're doing much of the same (hopefully without the exciting sickness) and relaxing and shopping around at a more local market instead of the mall.

But that is not the exciting news - the super exciting news is what we are doing for our four year wedding anniversary (which is this Thursday).  WE'RE GOING TO THE MALDIVES! AH!!  Soooo stupidly expensive but it looks ridiculously beautiful, has over-water bungalows, and we're all the way over here so why not? To put it another way, Jefferson is a good, good man - and very indulgent (which I think we all knew but didn't realize the extent of it until now).  If you aren't familiar with the Maldives, here are some shots of exactly where we're going:
- http://www.pinterest.com/pin/360217670167851637/
- http://www.pinterest.com/pin/503136589590049632/
- http://www.pinterest.com/pin/360217670167851315/

So...I'm pretty excited.  I'll be taking an absolute TON of pictures and will report back in a few days about it all.  AH!

Malaysian beer - Skol!

Like the Japanese (who took the term from the Chinese) they say "kanpai!" here for "cheers!"

Random Pictures

I'll go that way.

We spent One Night in Bangkok! Ok, that's what we meant to do and I thought it'd be really funny - but we ended up staying a second night because we were tired and our hotel had a pool. We did visit Khao San Road (a den of backpackers) so Jefferson could show me the chaos of the area - but we did that the second night because the first night there were protests in the area so we stayed safely in our hotel.  So, after TWO nights in Bangkok, we made it to the beach of Koh Tao island - where Jefferson spent four months scuba diving about seven years ago.  It's HOT. Really HOT! Pretty but HOT. I shan't complain, though - since I just checked the weather in Chicago and it's still cold. 

We plan to be lazy for a bit and hide from the heat as much as we can - so while we don't have a ton to report, here are some random but funny pics we've taken throughout the trip for your viewing pleasure.

PS, after three nights on Chalok Baan Khao (the bay on the south side of the island), we've moved up to Sairee Beach. Chalok Baan Khao was quiet and beautiful and much less crowded, but it was also much more "rustic". We had ceiling fan that was more like an oscilating fan, except that it "oscilated" around in a full circle. It felt great for the one second that it was pointed directly toward you, but then you spent the next five seconds waiting for that second of relief again.  There was no way to turn the "oscilation" off. There was also only one electric outlet and the water was hard and rusty. Last night we finally ventured up to Sairee beach and checked out some accomodations in town (up the road from the beach).  We found a much nicer place for the same price.  This morning we woke up early and moved over to the new place -- the shower was glorious and the fan is great =)

Koh Tao - where we stayed the first nights.

PPS, on the bug bite front: I only have 5 or so mosquito bites but one of them is the size of a half dollar (the kind with JFK's profile) - so maybe it's not one but a whole family decided to feast on my leg. We'll never know!

Smallest car or tallest woman?

BACON!!!

Cheap flight with a duck air plane.

Jimmy likes burgers.

Gross!

 

Ooooookaaaaay...

Biggest bite ever.