2011 India, Kovalam beach

Very early, about 4 am the next day we caught a train heading to Kovalam which is on the south west corner of the tip of India, and promising some beach time, Yay!
As the dawn emerged we were moving into quite lush sort of countryside. surrounded by big hills and pretty outcrops of rocks. As we neared the coast the inland forest changed to extensive coconut groves.


We rolled into Trivandrum station and emerged to a fairly unremarkable street and some taxi drivers doing their best to take us for 300 Rp for the trip to the beach about 20 minutes away.
After checking local buses we opted for an autorickshaw for about 180 Rp. That tool a lot longer as it was a bit hillier and the poor engine was struggling with all of us and our luggage. 



We arrived at Kovalam beach after a steep descend and we were quickly touted by a local for his apartment. Eunmi checked it out and we took it for 1000 Rp(I think) per day.
It was actually ideal for us, situated at the apex of two beaches and right on the beach front, with shops and restaurants all minute's away. We quickly fell into a beach routine, enjoying the incredibly warm water. There were some enormous waves coming in, probably 12-15 feet which provided some body surfing but it meant the girls couldn't venture too far out.




We met an interesting couple there, the guy from the US and she from Canada. He was a dog training expert who would take 'problem' dogs and bring them into line.



We also met a local guy 'Sassy' who was almost my age. He was interesting to get some local history and a perspective on society in the communist state of Kerala.





We shared a few beers and shouted him a meal, and left him one of the dynamo torches we'd brought along so he could see his way through the small dark pathways a bit easier.



I had to do regular walks up the very steep hill to 'Devi's', a very small place. They had some really nice local foods really cheap, and the best chai!
Devi himself was a very tall slim guy with rather an ungainly gait due to some serious circulation issues in his lower legs, which he said he had to save money to be operated on.
I made sure I tipped him well and have him a beer or two on the way back from the cheap beer shop up the hill( 55-70 Rp per 600 bottle) which made his eyes light up.

One day we walked to the far end of the beach to the headland where you can climb the lighthouse for a great paranomic view. 



Another day I took Ruby on her own for a walk along the promanade and bought her a nice camel leather bound diary to write in during our travels.


The shop was run by some of the many Tibetan people who set up shops there during the high season. They look so much like Koreans, it's uncanny.

After a week or so we decided we'd better move on, so after a really nice breakfast at our favourite restaurant 'Lonely Planet', we got an auto rickshaw back to Trivandrum and managed to catch a train to Allepy.