Poovar

We're here at Poovar Island Resort for three nights... it's our last stop on the retreat. We took motor boats to this backwater island lodge (very close to the sea). Beautiful place!!

2/1: Kateri headed to Kattuvila Ashram today with a smaller group and loved it. She said she could go back and stay there it was so nice. Meanwhile, me and Katie hung out and enjoyed Poovar all day today. Katie rode a camel on the beach. I had a massage. Katie did the 'fishie feet' thing (new fear unlocked for me) and all of us hung out at the pool, had chai, shopped at the gift shop (super beautiful stuff) and went to the awesome sound journey this evening. Great day! 

2/2: Tomorrow is the last day of the retreat. I think we're feeling like we're ready to get back out on our own exploration! 

Onward to Hampi in a couple days (Feb 3) - leaving here at 4 a.m. to boat out drive an hour and then fly out of TRV - via Hyderabad to Hubli - where a car will transfer us to Evolve Back Hampi. 

After a "welcome" high tea and a meditation at dusk, there was a suprise dance performance for us 

this evening.

 

The 'beach' peninsula (across the river from Poovar) - where Katie rode a camel.

View from our sunrise yoga shala.

One of Chris'

"Ducks in a row"

Mangrove boat trip around Poovar

Us and Chris and Kathy

Kingfisher

Cool statue and underground cave sculptures.

Poovar is beautiful... And we're looking forward to Hampi tomorrow - which looks incredible!

Varkala Beach

We've arrived at Varkala Beach (for Thursday and Friday nights) - staying at the beautiful Elixir Beach Resorts. Somehow, we've lucked out again - top floor sea view rooms with a huge balcony overlooking the Arabian Sea. Off the hook!

Lunch stop on the way to Varkala Beach. Fun negotiating this meal on a banana leaf. Delicious. $2.40

Cliffside view from hotel - sunset over the Arabian Sea.  Sound journey this evening was epic.

Sunrise yoga with Jane... and back to bed... with this view. :)

View from my room. 

1/30: It was a rest day today. :)))  Sunrise yoga with handpan (our daily ritual), beach time, massages (Nidina is a master), falafel hummus at pool side, nap, sunset, Kateri and Katie rode a horse on the beach at sunset. Katie said: "I love the universe!" (they manifested the horses)! 

Kumarakom and the Ashram

We left the mountains, headed west - downhill to Kumarakom village and Lakesong resort in the backwaters. BEAUTIFUL! 

It's hard to leave these places...but it's also really cool to arrive at these totally different environments! From the cloud forest this morning to tropical lake/coast. We just watched a beautful sunset after a dip in the pool. Lovely! <3 

1/28: We spent today at an Ashram. We were hugged by a saint - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi or "Amma" - the hugging saint. We received darshan. Incredible. No photos of that - but it's a lasting experience. 

Michelle's and Pam's photos from their trip to Amma's ashram (Jan 30); Pam's sister is staying months there. Several ppl in our group took a day from Varkala...but we were SO glad we had our visit on our own...we had a blissful rest day at Varkala beach/coast too).

"Post" hug. (It'll stick with us for a while!) On the drive back with "G2"

On the drive back

The previous owner of Lake Song.

Periyar and Thekkady

We took a 3-4 hour bus ride (wow!) though lovely Munnar to the amazing Forest Canopy in Thekkady. 

Reservoir near Munnar

Ganesh

Chai stop

We went on a super cool spice farm tour...

Botanist, Ayurveda specialist, guide, farmer, herbalist, extraordinaire.

Forest Canopy hotel view

In the evning, we watched an incredible cultural demonstration: Kadathanadan.

1/26: Today, we're headed to Periyar Tiger Reserve. It's Republic Day today. (Kristi visited this school in the morning to watch the flag raising ceremony - then took the day off and worked/hung out). Kateri and Katie went on a boat in Periyar. I think the highlights today were the late afternoon massages and sound journey meditation this evening!