Periyar

 Views on the drive to Periyar.

 Our hotel room balcony overlooking the National Park.

 My new muslim friend, Abbas, who thinks we have the best prime minister in the world.

 Not sure if Anna is homely too.

 Another spice plantation tour.

 A drongo... check out the exceptionally long tail.

 A spice shop in this touristy town.

John bought a beautiful bed cover similar to this one.

Monday, March 5^th.

Today was a four hour drive from Madurai to Periyar across the flat plain and into the hills. We drove past beautiful coconut plantations and some really nice scenary.

When we arrived we checked into Ranger Wood Hotel and our very large room with a balcony that faces over the national park. John and I went for a walk through this very tourist little town and were approached by a man wanting to see us tours. We knew there were things to do here so we went in and had a listen. He asked where we were from and when I said Canada he was really pleased. He said that our prime minister Justin Trudeau is the hero of the world. He had nothing but glowing things to say about him. He likes his attitude to world problems and Syria in particular. I mentioned all the controversy about his recent trip to India and he said that was all the Indian Prime Minister’s fault because he’s 'crazy'. 

After that we went for lunch at Anna’s Homely Food restaurant where we had a chicken biriyani. 

At four we all went for a tour of a spice plantation. The highlight was some home made dark chocolate that is made without dairy, it’s made from vegetable oil and coco. We had that with dried ginger, delicious. Then we had an hour which we spent talking to Jamie, a 21 year old law student who is on our trip, about our travel experiences.

Thoufeeq took us to the restaurant in the Ambadi Hotel, where we had another great meal. Then as we were walking back to our hotel a few of us were window shopping and John decided to buy a pashmina scarf and a quilt-like bedspread similar to the one in the photo above. Then we went back to the room as we are getting up early in the morning.