Here is the latest update from our guide Alex in India.  Thanks Alex, enjoy the rest of the trip!

"We are now cycling in Kerala in the South West of India.  The contrast with Rajasthan is amazing.  We are surrounded by lush  tropical vegetation, the colonial feel of Cochin gives way as you move inland to banana plantations and pineapples, coffee, tapioca etc.  Yesterday we were given pineapples at the roadside and the farmer cut them for us to eat there and then.  Today we climbed up into tea plantations and finished at the busy town of Munnar.  We gained 1,395 meters and the people are different again being noticeably of wiry mountain stock and wearing caps etc for the fresher temperatures. The coastal people are much more relaxed and easy going than Rajasthan although we have been well received wherever we have gone.  Tomorrow we continue on our journey and will overnight at the popular hill resort of Kodaikanal."

If you want to experience the wonders of India for yourself, see our India tour pages for more information.