AYURVEDA THERAPY
Just getting over the Delhi Belly.
Nothing like a morning at the Spa to get Bocahita back on the road to recovery. Are you familiar with Ayurveda? They explained that Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India- known as a "science of life that calls on every individual to live in perfect harmony with her natural environment. It is a holistic system based on balance-body, mind and soul." Harmony? Bocahita being on the hunt for some of that Harmony stuff- alrighty then let's give it a go.
Bocahita had thoughts of them pouring the soothing warm oils on her brain followed by
the hot young yogi doing the world famous foot massage....
nah, no such luck, but the "Abhyanga"- synchronized massage with herbal oils and 2 therapists was divine. I was all about fighting off those wrinkles and scales. It was all Bocahita could do to stay on the table with so much oil flying around the room. Remember back in Thailand I tried that 6 handed massage and didn't like it...too much here, there and everywhere going on. But not this method....the ladies did everything in unison. Fabulous and I am sure they healed all my malady's. The scalp massage lasted 15 mins and their unique approach had Bocahita's brain all mush. As I am sure the foot reflexology portion cured all other ills.
And I so enjoyed the smells and Ravi Shankar music in the background. Now I know why all the hippies came here in the 70's. I wondered how they were going to get the 10 gallons of oil off the ol'Boca??? No worries another potion (tumeric) which looked like mud was rubbed in every crevice- hey, watch that!- to degrease. I must say the experience was a bit of nirvana so I talked Bubs into a treatment. When I heard the bellowing coming from the spa I knew it was Bubs finding out he had a guy therapist...."OH NO NO NO. NO GUY IS GOING TO TOUCH ME AROUND...THERE." Oh Bubs, I "forgot" to mention Indian law required female therapists do the female customers and male therapist must do the male customers.
After he calmed down he reluctantly dragged into the therapy room. And a new and improved Bubs came out....he couldn't believe how the therapist did all the massage with his feet??? Awesome per the Bubs.
And now the refreshed couple was ready for their boat ride around the lake on a Kerala Houseboat...
Ok my captain, shove off. Love the dining room chair which doubles as a Captains seat.
This large lake is THE resort spot down in South India. And the water is pretty? What's the draw when the ocean is right around the corner??? Why is Bocahita on this boat? It's 100 degrees and humid as hell- you can imagine how pleasant I was. If I see one more water hyacinth I'll pull my hair out!
Not to worry Bocahita, the Captain has fixed up a special concoction just for you. Excellent! Being so happy the 1st of the month is so over.
More resorts on the murky water...
So glad our Captain can chat on his cell and drive the boat...was that his wife calling to tell him to bring home some curry leaves?
We see more evidence of the 25% Christian community down this way....
The 4 hour cruise seemed like a 4 day slow torture....Boca snuck back to the crew quarters to ask them to show mercy and take her back to shore pronto. But no soap, have some more of the coconut Mrs. Collins and the time will pass smoothly. Yes, I looked forward to the refreshing outdoor toilet and shower and getting ready for our group dinner on the lawn. Does it get any better? Where's the DEET Bubs?
DINNER ON THE LAWN AND MOHINATTUM
Our very fine young dancer had heard that the Bocahita could be a little testy in the heat, topped by the mosquito's and toileting out doors so she knew she had her work cut out for her to put a smile on the Boca's kisser.
You put your left foot in, you put your.....
And finally the fine dancer waved Bocahita on to the bar for another type of entertainment. And we visited 2 resorts back to back in the 100 degree heat because???? Kerala Schmerala. Enough of this place. The Hita is missing her temples and palaces.
Boca had considered sneaking over to Tamil Nadu (near by). She had heard about Mariamman, a popular village goddess in most of the villages of South India. People believe her to be a form of the goddess Kali who punishes if someone is a baddy. Mariamman has the power to bestow or remove life-threatening disease. Most of her temples do not have formally structured buildings and in some cases she is represented simply by a granite stone in a village field. Devotees try and win her favor by inflicting pain upon themselves. During festivals, women carry a mud pot with burning embers kept over leaves in their bare hands. Men hang on a a crane with a hook pierced in their body or are tied to a pole by clothe. Some pierce their bodies with needles hung with the weight of lemons They go through such austere penances believing that it will bring them closer to the goddess and keep the life-threatening diseases away. Taking making lemonade out of lemons to the Hindu level. So much to see in the spirit of India! And I'm stuck out here on some green lake mosquito ville. Hmmmf.
Just getting over the Delhi Belly. Nothing like a morning at the Spa to get Bocahita back on the road to recovery. Are you familiar with Ayurveda? They explained that Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India- known as a "science of life that calls on every individual to live in perfect harmony with her natural environment. It is a holistic system based on balance-body, mind and soul." Harmony? Bocahita being on the hunt for some of that Harmony stuff- alrighty then let's give it a go.
the hot young yogi doing the world famous foot massage....
And I so enjoyed the smells and Ravi Shankar music in the background. Now I know why all the hippies came here in the 70's. I wondered how they were going to get the 10 gallons of oil off the ol'Boca??? No worries another potion (tumeric) which looked like mud was rubbed in every crevice- hey, watch that!- to degrease. I must say the experience was a bit of nirvana so I talked Bubs into a treatment. When I heard the bellowing coming from the spa I knew it was Bubs finding out he had a guy therapist...."OH NO NO NO. NO GUY IS GOING TO TOUCH ME AROUND...THERE." Oh Bubs, I "forgot" to mention Indian law required female therapists do the female customers and male therapist must do the male customers.
After he calmed down he reluctantly dragged into the therapy room. And a new and improved Bubs came out....he couldn't believe how the therapist did all the massage with his feet??? Awesome per the Bubs.
And now the refreshed couple was ready for their boat ride around the lake on a Kerala Houseboat...
DINNER ON THE LAWN AND MOHINATTUM
And finally the fine dancer waved Bocahita on to the bar for another type of entertainment. And we visited 2 resorts back to back in the 100 degree heat because???? Kerala Schmerala. Enough of this place. The Hita is missing her temples and palaces.
