Toddy Tapping

Yesterday morning I went to see the old traditional method of collecting coconut juice from the flower of the tree, and fermenting it to produce a strong and fairly pleasant alcoholic drink similar in taste to cider. The later in the day the Toddy is collected, the stronger it gets. It is collected by climbing up the trees with no harness, just some agility and energy which is especially impressive when the 'Toddy Tapper' is 57 years old.

Pradeep's father, Gamini, who is 57 years old, climbing between the trees

Pradeep's son Chathum, quite a shy little fellow

A broken old clay pot which was originally used to collect the Todi has now been replaced by a far lighter plastic equivalent

Coconut shells are tied to the trees with coconut fibre rope to provide foot holdings for climbing

Beautiful use of materials

Finishing off the first of two rounds for the day

This very sharp knife is used to slice the end of the flower to release the juice

A rather useful box attached to the waist to hold tools

Not a bad return for half a days' work

Gamini - Master Todi Tapper