Day 69, Alleppey [Sunday 10th February 2008]

Previous day: Day 68, Churuthuruthy [Saturday 9th February 2008]

Next day: Day 70, Alleppey, Kerala [Monday 11th February 2008]

STD, Alleppey, KeralaWe get the train back to Ernakulam and change there for a bus down to Alleppey. There we stay in the Springs Inn (Rs 450) next to the river, which is clean and pleasant.

For dinner I have a beetroot-filled masala dosa(!) and the Indian Coffee House, a consistently down-at-heel but cheap chain of coffee places in south India. They have good, strong, sweet Indian coffee, an astounding array of snacks and waiters in tea-stained white uniforms.

Manchester City beat Manchester United 2-1 l live on ESPN, followed by Chelsea and Liverpool drawing 0-0. India beat Australia by 5 wickets in the ODI in Melbourne.

Next day: Day 70, Alleppey, Kerala [Monday 11th February 2008]

Previous day: Day 68, Churuthuruthy [Saturday 9th February 2008]