This morning after a leisurely breakfast our driver took us on a 2 hour drive through the countryside to Kumarakom,a lakeside resort set amongst coconut trees.The journey was the most pleasant drive we have had in India.The roads are good and are repaired when needed,hardly anyone hoots or even drives on the wrong side of the road. Our first stop was a bird sanctuary set beside rivers and backwaters.We saw a couple of birds which we think were drongos that appeared as soon as we put down our cameras.We had to leave rather promptly as we had booked an Ayurvedic massage,a 1 1/2 hour oil massage with a steam bath to finish.It was certainly relaxing and so we were glad to get to the hotel where we could spend an hour or two swimming in the infinity pool overlooking a vast lake.The only downside is that the hotel is dry so no bottle of beer with our curry.