After 4 lovely relaxing days here in Kovalam and as we ready ourselves to catch the train to Kochi for 5 nights I’ve been reflecting on Kovalam, which is meant to have really gone downhill in the last two decades since we last visited. Yes, it’s changed from the single storey palm-roofed places to multi-storey hotels, yes the small little restaurants have grown and grown, leaving behind their charm. Yes the hawkers have increased. But so have your local tourists and at the same time the drug-fuelled hippies have moved on – not a bad thing.
So, I reflect…
I’m going to miss your many different bays and your roaring seas.
I’m going to miss chilling with Amy and Jane in some of the nicest places to have a drink, like here at Bait.
I’m going to miss the beautiful hotel, the KTDC Sumadra.
I’m going to miss watching all the eagles, kites and fish eagles soaring in the early afternoon winds.
I’m going to miss the sunsets.
I’m definitely going to miss the way the fishermens’ tilly lamps twinkle like stars as the waves between us rise and fall. I love this is still the same as it was 21 years ago.
I’m going to miss all the fresh seafood at next to no money – Rs600 or £7 for 15 large prawns.
I’m going to miss being served a freezing cold Kingfisher Strong in a massive bone china tankard, just in case the police walk past…especially when I’ve eaten nothing that day (hic!).
I will be back.