Quiet and idyllic, life in the Udupi backwaters and Svarna river delta seemed to float at leisure.

Boatmen drifted around the view, whether canoeing to move sand . . .

. . . or kayaking to fish for coconuts . . .

. . . or maybe just staying still.

The deltas were dense groves of palm with sparse signs of people and activity.

Exception being our all-in-one handyman of the establishment, who was up for any assignment.

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The Malpe harbour area on the other hand had a contrasting tone.

Life here was bright and loud, at a macro scale . . .

. . . at a greater pace . . .

. . . and more of a hustle.