It was my last day in Kochi today, before setting off to Bengaluru tomorrow afternoon en route to Hampi. I really enjoyed exploring the old city, on foot mostly, by bike and tuktuk once each. Though I walked a fair bit in other places, this is the first that has been relaxed enough to really enjoy, while still bustling with life. There are also more tourists here, but it doesn’t take long at all to leave most of them behind, and even in the centre there are many locals living and working, it’s just a block or two where you really only see sightseers.

I guess some locals don’t like to be photographed, so I don’t get as may scenes of street and working life as I’d like. One tea wholesaler got me into her shop hoping to sell samples to me. I explained 100 rupees for 100g is no cheaper than Britain, but she was undeterred. I asked how much for a big sack? 500 rupees, for a 52kg sack. She didn’t really see any conflict. I didn’t mind getting some local tea from Munnar anyway, and now I felt happy to take a snap too. The trader across the street chuckled as she conceeded with chagrin, the counter trap sprung.