After graduating from university, James decided to travel the world, inspired by stories from his friends and memories of childhood family holidays. He began to broaden his horizons by visiting the far-flung corners of Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
A love of adventure and culture has seen James attending a wedding in Laos, getting temporarily lost in the jungles of Malaysia and scuba diving and skydiving in Australia. More recently, James has reconfirmed his love for India and its amazing people with extensive travel throughout Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Golden Triangle, where he continues to be amazed by the friendliness of the people, the delicious food and the wonderful scenery available. Highlights of his travels in India include the temples of Madurai and the breathtaking Western Ghats.
Outside of work, James enjoys cycling, badminton, reading and cooking.
With thousands of acres of tea plantations, hundreds of traditional villages and dozens of lakes and stunning views, Munnar and the surrounding area has never ceased to impress me. A particular highlight is the amazing views of the Tamil Nadu plains from the heights of the Western Ghats.
Although small with only 19 rooms, Ahilya Fort has plenty of heritage, history, and character. The building dates from the 18th century and is extremely comfortable — full of nooks and crannies to enjoy some privacy or to relax. There’s a lot to see and do nearby ranging from the large religious complexes of Mandu and Omkareshwar to the smaller bustling markets and local temples. The hotel is situated right by the Narmada River giving you magnificent views. With so much character, so much to do and yet, so easy to relax in a nice long stay is recommended.
One of my most memorable experiences during my travels in India was being served a traditional Keralan fish curry at the wonderful Planters Retreat in Palakkad. The combination of complex flavors and expertly blended spices put this dish miles ahead of similar curries that you might find back in the UK. Despite the difficulty of finding the right ingredients (most of those used in Keralan cookery are so fresh and some unique to the area), I have attempted to recreate this amazing dish at home and will be happy to share the recipe with you if you fancy cooking it for yourself!
