Kovalam

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Arrived in Kovalam on Sunday via taxi - as we were driving we passed through a number of villages and towns. In one there was a celebration at a Hindu temple with 2 small baby elephants and lots of flowers, drumming and vivid colours (oranges and yellows). We didn't stop but it was nice to see in passing - next time I will insist on having a few minutes...

We passed queues for the Toddy shops and government beverage shops. The queues were lengthy as the latter only open for a couple of hours a day with Indian men leaving them with their newpaper wrapped bottles and smiling faces...

Most women we saw seemed to be queuing for fresh fruit, vegetables and firsh, haggling with much enthusiasm to ensure the best prices and freshest produce.

Individuals selling coconuts, lemons and bananas sat on the roadside at regular intervals with motorists stopping for refreshments here and at the chai and dosa stalls which appear just as frequently.

On our arrival in Kovalam the taxi driver pulled into a 'nice hotel' which was clearly out of our budget - we asked politely to be dropped off elsewhere. the problem with not pre-booking accommodation is that unless you give a hotel / room name you end up somewhere the driver will be paid commission. We'll perhaps make names up -picked at random from the rough guide which is becoming our bible....

As we exited the taxi we were immediately offered some rooms - we followed two guys to a hotel detailed in the rough guide - it was a dump (honestly and expensive with it)...despite being offered a very heavily discounted room we opted to continue looking and dragged ourselves down the beach. After looking at another couple of places we pitched up in a cafe where i sat with the packs and pete went off to find a room - clearly the better way to do it.

We eventually settled on a room in the Hawah beach resort ( being offered a good price for a hotel and deciding it would be nice to have really hot water, breakfast, free soap, security boxes, toilet roll and stuff included)...

After freshening up we walked along the beach - the season hasnt started yet and to be honest its looking a mess - i think i used the word 'dump' (but I think Varkala's beauty has me being a tad unfair) - considering its meant to be Kerala's premier resort! anyway we'll stay for a few days and see Trivandum and get to Kanyakamari from here....it's a base.

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Hey guys. Lovely to be able to read about you, even if I am sitting here green with envy. Have lots of fun and take care. Hxxx