Travel
8 things I expect to encounter on my trip to Kerala, India
Destinations
Joanna Horanin
Current condition
Weather in India
Mist
Temperature
Feels like 28.5℃ 😎
UV index
Low
Air quality index
Unhealthy
Last updated at 07/09/2024, 22:45
Hi, I'm Joanna, the author of The Blond Travels. In the worlds of Thailand and Portugal, I feel like a fish in water - and it's no coincidence! I've been exploring Thailand for over a decade, and I've settled in Portugal for 6 years now. My mission is to support Dreamers - just like you - in discovering these fascinating countries and helping those in love with them find their own place on Earth, preferably for good! Let's uncover these unique corners of the world together.
I once listed my expectations (and things I think I thought I knew about the country) before going to Myanmar. It was fun to look back at it after I came back and see how many things I was right and wrong about (let’s face it, I was wrong about most of the things). I then received quite a lot of comments and emails about my ignorance – I still enjoy hearing from people, no matter if their reviews are good or bad. And please do remember that I did another post about on what it was exactly to travel in Myanmar.
Next month I will be going to Kerala, India. I simply cannot wait. As a part of my preparations I decided to list a few things I am expecting to experience there. Please be kind in your comments and remember that I have never been to India before, and I will do another post after I come back, reflecting on my experiences.
I expect:
1. To be hot
I am going in the middle of April and staying there until the end of May. Apparently it is the hot season there, and the temperature won’t be much different from Chiang Mai. I will be sweating my bum off in 40-something degrees. I hope to visit some beaches, which may or may not give me some relief.
2. To be surrounded by lush green
From the photos I have seen Kerala looks like the most green place on earth. There are palm trees I love so much, and tea terraces. It looks like one of those exotic destinations you find in travel magazines.
3. To eat curry
I love curry! Who doesn’t? I think I will eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I simply cannot wait.
4. To have travellers diarrhoea
I went through it in Vietnam, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. From what I heard almost everyone that goes to India gets it. Considering my weak stomach, I will have to go through it again.
5. To pay lower prices than in Thailand
From what I have seen on Air b’n’b the accommodation is not cheaper than here, but apparently the food and drinks are.
6. To drink less alcohol
I don’t think Kerala is a party destination. It seems like it’s more for people, who want to chill out and I think I need it now. Besides, I am planning on spending two weeks in an ashram, so I won’t have any access to alcohol anyway.
7. To be chatted up and looked at by strangers
This is the one thing that I dread. I heard so many stories about Indian men being very upfront towards western women. I will be careful, or course. I also enjoy chatting to the locals, but if the situation in India is the same as in Kuta (Bali), where I couldn’t sit alone for 5 minutes on the beach because I was chatted up by the local men all the time, then I know I will not like India at all.
8. Walk on dirty streets
Because who hasn’t heard about dirt and filth in India. Whoever goes there says that it is the filthiest country they have encountered. Luckily, I have been in Asia for a while and not many things shock me any more.
