Sunday, November 16, 2008
CLIMATE CHANGE
We have huge media coverage on it, so awareness or lack of it is not the problem. But collective effort and the sacrifices necessary to arrest detiorating abnormal weather patterns is a problem.
Instead of shifting our focus to the world financial meltdown, shouldn't our politicians, writers, thinkers, economists, and others who can make a difference pay more atteention to the Polar glacier meltdown. Better, still, they could solve both problems with an interactive solution, as, after all, climate change is the freak off-spring of unbridled capitalism.
Now that capitalism has failed, a newer path to a fairer world financial system not dependant on oil and coal but to instead encourage and develop alternate greener fuel /energy solutions can emerge if the right people have the necessary will. A new world order is overdue anyway, one which brings about change for the better to all people of all nations.
At Johnson's and on our houseboat, we have CFl bulbs now, and hygenic drinking water available in cans so that tourists can refill their plastic drinking bottles. So, I've done a little bit, wish I was knowledgable enough to do more.
Dec27th 2009 - Day after 5ht anniversary of Asian Tsunami.
Kyoto to Copenhagen- they're still talking and nothing's getting done. Seems to me, it's only the media who's highlighting climate change now. But, where are all the young people, who will be the most affected? They're the ones who should be leading the protests, forcing governments to take the drastic steps necessary for them to survive a few years from now on. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN OF THE YOUNG TOURISTS WHO VISIT US, NONE OF THEM SEEM TO BE EVEN AWARE OF THE CRISIS. SIGN O' THE TIMES, I RECKON.
30/5/10
If I or anyone in Kerala needed proof of global warming, it came to us in the form of the hottest summer this year. I never usually sweat in the guesthouse - our house has a lot of greenery and thick walls plus high ceilings which keeps everything quite cool in the worst sumer days, but not this season. I sweated plenty. Glad it's over. Along with the highest temperatures ever, Kerala also recorded the highest ever beer sales this season. So I guess, we've found a way to beat global warming. Drink more beer!
http://www.johnsonskerala.com/ 3/11/2012 When a natural disaster hits USA or Europe it's declared Climate change. When bigger climate change disorders hits elsewhere like Asia, nobody bothers. Guess it will take a rally big one like the Tsunami that hit Asia, to happen in the western world before someone will finally do something. Till then', whatever happens in the developing world, it ain't Climate change, stupid.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
About my new Houseboat
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MUSIC
It was all good fun.
But, which is the better song, anyway?
6/12/09
3 musicians, all of whom could sing, 2 guitars, a whole lot of beer, lots of encouragement from the other non musician guests and a couple of my mates, who happened to be there made yesterday one terrific jam session of music and partying. Paul -Canadian/British, a French lady - Carat and her sound engineer husband and my man Stephan who was Italian. We sang, played guitar, drank beer and had some good healthy fun well into the night. It was great, almost like my DJ days in Kochin.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Updates On Johnson's Alleppey Kerala India
UPDATES ON JOHNSON'S-ROOMS,HOUSEBOAT,SECRET BEACH,VAGAMON & WAYANAD
This is Johnson Gilbert, owner/proprietor of Johnson's guesthouse, a homestay hotel for International tourists/travellers based in Alleppey. This is my first blog and I'll like to start with posting updates on my guesthouse rents. Since September 2008, the rents have been established as Rs.750/- for the 3 rooms in the main house, and Rs.500/- for the Eco-art theme room in the backyard. I have also got a new room now, the Cricket theme room which is smaller in size but no less cleaner @Rs.400/-.
23/10/08
We're finally sign-posted. After resisting forever to put up a sign, on account that I thought it would like more like a hotel than a homestay and a couple of more practical considerations like a hike in taxes and electricty tariffs I've finally put a Johnson's board up in front of the house
Houseboat Rates
We have now introduced 3 Options for our customers who want to hire out our houseboats for an overnight trip. The rates given below are for the same boat - the best one bedroom houseboat in Kerala - "The Pride" with the room, the deck and the master bathroom on the upper deck. This 3 optional rate system is to make the boats affordable for all people of all budgets.
Option A - PREMIUM - Rs.9000/-/- (For 2 People)
24 hours trip -12.00 noon to 12.00 noon with 2 hours of canoeing.
1/2 an hour lunch break. 6.00 p.m. evening stop.
9 course Lunch includes Fish & veggies. And Ice-cream for dessert.
7 course dinner with chicken, veggies, etc. .
Indian/Continental Breakfast.
Additional lunch before check-out includes roast duck and tapioca.
1 Complimentary Beer per person.
Village walk. Fishing.
And with this option, the Rs.750/- room at Johnson's comes free for a night for two people.
Option 2 - Mid-range -Rs.8250/- for 2 people
22 hours trip - 12.00 noon to 10.00 a.m. -
1/2 hour lunch break. 5.30 p.m. evening stop.
7 course lunch includes Fish. 5 course dinner includes chicken. B'fast Indian/continental.
Village walk.Fishing.
And on this option, you are now entitled to one night's free stay at the Eco-art theme room.
Option 3 - Budget - Rs.6500/- for 2
21 hours - 12.00 noon to 9.00 a.m.
1 hour Lunch break. 5.00 p.m.evening stop.
6 course vegetarian lunch. 4 course dinner including Fish or Chicken. Indian B'fast.
Fishing. Village walk.
Choosing this option gets two people a free night's stay at the New Cricket theme room at Johnson's.
All Options include Free To and Fro Transport. Hygienic drinking water, fruits, complimentary welcome drink(non-alcoholic) provided for all options as well.
Extra person @1250/- per person. (More people can make the amount less as you pan it around per person) Free room offer is for one room only regardless of the number of guests who may take the boat. When guests from different rooms at the homestay join up to take the boat, the free room amount is reduced from the total of the houseboat charges, and then split up per person.
The boat has 3 staff - Captain, cook and an assistant. English speaking guide provided @Rs.
500/- per hour for a couple of hours, on request.
Pls add 20% to the houseboat rates for peak season. During this period, we take only Option 1 tours, and the time is reduced by half an hour. Check-out 11.30 a.m. (Dec.20th to Jan 20th)
Johnson's guesthouse rates do not change during the season.
Secret beach guesthouse
Guesthouse near the Secret beach is promoted by myself and the rates here are Rs.1200/- and Rs.1350/- with air-con. Peak time rates (Dec.20th to Jan.30th) are Rs.1350/- and Rs.1500/- air-con. The guesthouse is a quiet homestay with 8 ensuite rooms and dining facilites. The secret beach is 20 minutes drive from Johnson's.
The secret beach guesthouse is not on the beach - it's 9 minutes walk from the beach itself is quiet, secluded, by a fishing village, totally non-touritsy. Food and beverages available inhouse. In house laundry. Internet, banks , shops within walking distance of guesthouse. An ayurveda center is nearby. The perfect Holiday.
Wayanad
Rooms at my family firend's farmhouse is Rs.2000/- with food, and during peak season Rs.2500/- with food (Dec20th to Jan30th)
Vagamon
Only 2 rooms in this fantastic, completely cut-off from the world dream place costs Rs.6000/- for two per room includes all food. 3 and a half hour's dirve from Alleppey or Kochin.
www.johnsonskerala.com
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https://www.alleppeykeralahouseboat.com
https://www.alleppeykeralahomestay.com
https://www.keralaculturetour.com
https://www.alleppeysnakeboatrace.com