The Last King of Kerala

Today I was granted an audience with the last King of Kerala, Sree Padmanabha Dasa (his title), H.H. Marthanda Varma (his name). Pattom Palace, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (where he lives). When democracy came to India it left his family without any governmental power much like Queen Elizabeth of England. In his case he is the last of his blood line so when he dies the Monarchy will end. He's 86 years old, a Rotarian and full of life. He shared many stories which I hope to write about on my return. Two women who visited him at the palace over the years of which he spoke, Eleanor Roosevelt and Agatha Christie (the author). The people in the group photo are from left to right: Matt Kumar (my contact in Kerala, the King, me, a famous local musician (his name is unknown to me presently), the friend of Matt's family who set up the meeting with the King (name unknown at the present).

Southern India Nov 29th and 30th

Still in southern India.. 800 miles from Mumbai where the terrorist attacked.

I was just today in the southern most point of India at a temple built in memorial to Swami Vivekandanda (1863-1902). Its on a rock off shore.
Also at this southern most point of India the Sun sets and rises in plain view from this place. I was there for both events this weekend.

Here are a few teenagers visiting the temple who were anxious to get photographed with a westerner from the U.S.

The day before on the trip down to the Temple we stopped at a famous waterfall where locals come for purification and as you can see from the pictures a little "fun". The watefall was a little turbulent due to the rains over he previous days but it didn't stop these teenagers from enjoying the moment.