We moored for the night at another one of the thin sliver islands, just one meter wide, with other boats, one after the other. Since it is low tourist season there are very few other westerners – yet boats are everywhere, filled with Indian families and groups of young people.
After another great meal we settled in for the night, me with oma in our small cabin on boat nr. two the one with the picture of jesus above the flat screen TV. We are sharing the boat with the groom’s sister, her best friend and his two young cousins and Joe from Tanzania. I woke up to birds and the soft sound of waves that carried clumps of water hyacinth, now in the other direction.
After a mixed Indian/western breakfast with omelets and coconut pancakes we made our way for a few hours across a very long and narrow lake/waterway, passed small houses where people went about their morning chores such as washing, toothbrushing and doing the dishes – all in the same water.
When we approached the Kumarakom Lake resort mom and dad of the bride, sisters, aunties and uncles awaited us. After lots of namastes and the exchange of a few words in English we were taken to our various quarters. The whole place has been hired by the family – no other guests unrelated to the wedding party.
The westerners are put on one side of the resort and the, more abundant, Indian guests on the other. There are some incompatible lifestyle issues around dress and adult beverages that make the separation desirable.
Whole bus loads (literally) of Indian relatives arrived to the drumbeats of a local traditional music ensemble. Each person received a dab of yellow powder on the forehead which instantly dripping down because of the sweat generated by the intense humidity. Cold wet towels, a fresh drink of coconut juice straight out of the nut and a necklace of yellow marigolds completed the welcome.
The Dutch friends are literally sticking out from the crowd – all the Dutch friends of the groom are immensely tall – towering over the Indians.
I am lodged on a houseboat because when the decision was reversed about my permission for leave the resort rooms were all occupied. My friends, parents, grandma and aunt and uncle of the groom are lodged in small bungelows that include private walled in swimming pools, an outdoor shower and more luxuries that I cannot even begin to relate. the slideshow will help.
The bride and groom are rather stressed out. Not me. I have booked a stress reducing ayurvedic massage right after lunch – I think I have gone to heaven.
Sylvia's Journal 
Just amazing. Wish I could be there with you!