Most people think of the venerable Himalayas when they think of hiking in India. They travel to Dharamshala, Ladakh maybe Sikkim. But Mama India has many a national park which invites the avid nature lover to incredible adventures. Lovers of a somewhat warmer and more humid climate can now head south and explore the forests and mountains of the Western Ghats. It’s Cardamon Hills, Shola Cloud Forest and quite a few well-kept Bird Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves. Look out for wild elephants, sambar deer, black panther, wild dogs, wild boars, monkey, langurs, wild cats, a plethora of delightful sounding birds and most of all the protector of the…

Kerala’s 900 kilometers of backwaters appear like an ink drawing in the early morning. There is a sweet quiet around the palm trees by the water. Quiet and lifely at the same time. The rivers, canals and lakes near the Arabian Sea are to this day the lifeline of the local people. They are waterways for transportation, place for the morning shower and the laundry, location for fishing and playing. Take a small boat for an overnight trip and read “The God of Small Things” by Keralan author Arundhati Roy while you cruise. ?

Kathakali dance drama is a pretty impressive art form of Kerala. The performers – traditionally only men – are dancers, but at the same time mimes with a truly incredible ability to express human experience in gesture and facial expression. It’s like an elaborate sign language combined with full body control and presence. For at least five years the artists undergo a rigorous training, of which the physical part involves learning to control the muscles of eye balls, eye brows, eye-lids, lips, neck and shoulder to narrate their story in a larger than life manner. They also train to apply the artistic make-up signifying different shades of character…

Taking an afternoon stroll through Fort Cochin, Kerala, India. “You go to Cochin?!?!” asked a couple of airport staff in Mumbai incredulously. Probably still having the deadly floods of August in their minds. It was the worst flood in a century and took a heavy toll on the Southern Indian state. Tourism has still not recovered. But people down here are mostly back to business. And the scenery is beautiful. Check it out when you travel South India the next time.