Thursday 17/11/05 – Allepey to Varkala
My encounter with the Indian Mosquitos left me battle scarred and aware of man’s inadequacy. Specifically, this man’s inadequacy. Once I was imperious, immortal… but hey, who wants to live forever?

Red welts on my forearms itch in the salty air of Varkala, Southern Kerala’s lesser-known beach paradise, two hours on the train from Allepey.

Yoga and massage bring sleep but no respite from the fuckin itching. GG Marquez documents man’s futile war against ans, a war mere humans can never hope to win, no matter how many attacks they make with scalding water or RAID. But ants are benign compared to mosquitos, which bring pain and disease and will not F**K OFF however much repellent you apply. Little bastards.

My only hope is to acclimatise: to be bitten until I react no more.

Next: Beachlife