FOOD in Kerala is a real treat.  Some people may have to approach it with care if spicy food does not suit them.   There is  no denying that Kerala food can be quite hot but it is always served in such a way that you can adjust how much heat you are getting in a mouthful.   First you can mix the curry with as much or as little rice as you like.   Second you will usually be served with one or two forms of buttermilk and/or curds and with bananas which draw the sting.    Third you can always ask the cook to hang back on the chillis.

BREAKFAST is usually entirely chilli free with some absolutely delightful preparations such as the legendary 'putt' - a steamed rice or wheat flour cake with grated coconut, eaten with crushed banana and sugar, or 'appum' - a rice pancake which rises in the middle, plus of course well known south Indian dishes like dosa and idli.

CHRISTIANS in Kerala are meat and fish eaters.   Eating meat and fish in India sometimes worries visitors.  However in Kerala both meat and fish arrive in the kitchen very quickly.  Typically a bullock will be slaughtered in the early morning, out in the open under a tree.  It will be butchered up on the spot,  in its own skin as the customers stand waiting to receive their order.    The meat is taken back to the kitchen and cooked up.   Similarly fish is caught at sea or in the rivers overnight and distributed rapidly house to house.   Kerala is famous for its river fish.   You may also try red hot sardine curry, commonly eaten with mashed tapioca by dalith communities.

THERE are lots of good vegetable curries to eat like cabbage, lentil, chick pea, spinach, potato.    

PUBLIC water supplies are of a higher standard in Kerala than in much of India and most houses also have deep wells where good quality water is available.   None the less it makes sense to buy bottled water during shorter visits, or two lovely local alternatives - either soda water with lime and sugar or salt, or coconut water straight from the coconut.   Typical Indian sweet milky tea or nutty Kerala  grown coffee will also be available.

KERALA weather is always hot AND humid.  You should have the lightest possible clothing.    Typical knitted cotton t-shirts are too heavy.    Jeans are out of the question.     Short shorts and bikini tops would not be considered respectable.    The soft, lightly woven cotton found in India's khadi stores is ideal.    Around the house you may find it most comfortable to where a cotton 'mund', a light wrap around the waist and legs for both men and women.

MAKE the most of two special times of day.  Early morning from dawn to about 8am is a fresh, bright part of the day before the heat kicks in.     Then late afternoon when a cool breeze sweeps in from sea.     

WHEN sleeping, fans are very useful, not only for cooling down but also for keeping mosquitos off.    Mosquito nets look great but are redundant if a working fan is in the room and unbearably hot without it.

TROPICAL conditions mean that there are often insects about, though not at Amazonian levels of diversity and aggression.   You may wish to use insect repellants or burn lemon grass oil or neem based preparations to deter mosquitos.

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