January 3

Jeff and I both had troubles going to sleep. Our AC was not working properly due to the power supply turning off and then on again, until around 11 pm. This made our room stifling hot – outside was cooler, but mosquitoes were lurking. Finally around midnight it was cooling down. Then around six am the AC turned off – like an alarm clock or something! We finally got around and were served breakfast at eight by our boat driver. We had omelets with red onion; grill/toasted bread; and a banana each with coffee and tea. 

The cook returned and we started out around nine thirty. We passed by a few more churches including a St Thomas Orthodox Church, with a mural of Thomas seeing Jesus' hands and believing he had been resurrected. But mostly just watched as normal life happens. People were out washing their laundry in the canal, some were cleaning breakfast dishes, a couple were bathing in their clothes; and one man I saw fishing. The 'water-buses' or ferries zigzagged back and forth moving people from one side of the canal to the other, or wherever further down the canal. It was relaxing and gave perprective to daily life. We did pull over once for the driver to go “shopping.” Jeff and I did a quick walk – have to work off some of this food! We all loaded back up and “putted” along. Our driver goes slowly, but steers well.

We pulled over for lunch around one thirty. We had a different kind of fish, as a grilled steak. Also had another type of curry. The rest of the meal was the same, but so good. We are pretty much skipping the rice, as most of what we are served is not soup/gravy. Rice is just so filling, and we are eating too much anyways! They have been giving us plenty of bottled water. After lunch we went back up to the top. The boat took off journeying.

Jeff did mention yesterday, that this is the first boat he's not been driving and able to relax. There definitely is a draw to sitting back and soaking in all your eyes can behold. Again we saw many birds.  We also passed under a larger bridge that spanned the canal. It was the first one. All the other bridges have been crossing over the smaller canals only. We also passed through a bigger area of water and had some wave action going. We were given a snack of fried bananas with the fennel seeds. (We also had pineapple pieces before lunch.) The weather has changed and we may get rain tonight. The sky is all clouds and some wind, hence the waves. Also went in a river and another body of water. We found all the boats again. Then into our last canal for the day and parked right at five.

Jeff and I were able to go for another bit longer walk (we won't be making our 10,000 steps though, today or any day on this trip). I blogged and Jeff read as we waited for supper. Just watching more houseboats pass or park, and listening to the waves as they arrive along the banks. 

Supper arrived around seven thirty-ish. We had seasoned fried chicken, cut into 'nugget' sized pieces; an 'Indian potato hash' like dish… I think; chapati bread; a curry (based of potatoes??, that is pureed); diced salad mix; and rice (we did not even touch). In addition we had our first Indian wine. It was… palatable, but bland. We will try the other bottle we have tomorrow, fingers crossed!!

I finished the blog and we just sat and enjoy sounds of the water.