Last full day of vacation. We woke late to driving rain. both Gabe and I were down with a fever. I was hot enough that I was actually hallucinating a little. (e.g. I saw alternating pictures of the Virgin Mary and Salvador Dali on the rotating ceiling fan) We all stayed in bed until the about 9:30 and then dragged ourselves out of bed to hit breakfast on time.. By the time breakfast was over, the advil had kicked in and both Gabe and I were feeling more human.. what’s more is that rain had started to ease up We decided to hit the beach despite the weather. The beach here in Kovalum is really good.. big waves.. clear wamr water and fairly clean sand.
There’s a Mosque at the other end of the beach which is pretty cool. 4 times a day the Mezzuzin does the call to prayers through the loudspeaker. It’s an eerie and beautiful sound.
Lots of long wooden fishing boats are also parked on the beach. 
Here’s the back side of our hotel room. It’s a cute and spacious place.. only about 50 yards from the beach. 
We did make breakfast before it closed. Gabe used it as a chance for packing in some meat eating.. he made a Max-style sandwich (he said) flled with bacon and sausage. I think he’s getting tired of Indian food. 
We then went on another explore of the hotel. We found a good place to out a SamStone.. in a fountain in one of the hallways. 
We came back o find our room had been cleaned.. but this guy had taken up residence with us.. Ick. 
We then out and walked the length of the beach.> We came across these guy making a beautiful nude mermaid in the sand.. (but is it art ? )
The walk along the beach was nice.. the wind was whipping pretty good. The waves looked fun … and dangerous. 
So.. we went in anyway.. it was a blast. 
We think this rock looks like an elephant. 
It’s fun watching the Indian families come and enjoy the beach. Most of them stand around nicely dressed and look at the sea. Some of them go in the water fully dressed. The women are so beautifully dressed. 
We took a short walk midday to explore the public beach area. It’s nice but a little honky-tonk for us. 
After our explore we went up tot the main building for a swim in the ‘horizon pool’ 
Then walked down to the badminton court for some 2 on 1 swatting. This fiberglass woman guards the entrance to the badminton and tennis courts.. she gives me the creeps. 
Gab ecreamed us most games.. and we were really trying !
Around 5:30 Manoj came and picked us up and we did some last minute shopping. The ride to travandrum was pretty interesting. The streets were really full of water.
Manooj took us to see a famous Hindu temple on the way.. It was several hundred years old and was right outside the Maharaja’s palace.
THths woman is selling colored paint for bindi’s, the dot that Hindu’s put on their forehead 
The place felt good so we placed a SamStone there. 
I think this looks like and angry face.. even though the statues I photographed was a deer and a hunter. 
Just as we were leaving all the lights in this section of the city went out.. A few minutes later.. a few buildings came back on with their own private generators. 
From there we headed into the center of Travandrum to finish our shopping.. Diane and gab made quick work of that.. We then headed back to Kovalum for dinner. It’s a Hindu holiday today so the streets were colorfully lit.. and there were many Pooja (prayer) meetings going on. 
We found a nice restaurant on the strand at Kovalum beach and ate a fantastic meal of fish and burgers (for Gabe) . I think it was the best meal I’ve eaten on the trip.. 
I particularly liked this bottle of chili sauce.. I think I ate half of it in the course of the meal.. 
Dinner with Manj was fun.. We’ve really enjoyed traveling with him.. We’re really going to mis him !
OK.. we’re leaving at a quarter to 7 tomorrow morning.. so I need to end now. I suspect I may have trouble blogging tomorrow due to our 24 hours of travel.. I’ll do my best.. It’ll be nice to be home..
Love you all.. see you soon. Gnite Sam
-us