Kovalom

Hi all I made it to the next beach town after I had such a wonderful relaxing time in Varkula it was hard to leave and I feared that Kovalom would not measure up to what Varkula was. Although Kovalom is smaller and different I enjoyed staying the last couple days here just chilled out and relaxed until I departed back to Abu Dhabi. Met a friendly couple from London that showed me a great cheap place to stay and they had hot water! the 2nd place to offer such a luxury. so I took complete advantage of that! The beach wasn't as nice but still a perfect place to be in the sweltering heat and the hawkers roam the beachfront where they were pretty much non existant in Varkula and it seems like the habit for the local men is to cruise up and down the beach checking out the ladies in their bikinis... by the end of my trip I had enough of the gawkers local men asking the standard questions "what is your name where do you come from what is your job" and then when you answer they remain standing there staring at you or sit down right beside you until you get and leave becuase it feels completely uncomfortable that this strange man is practically sharing your towel with you like it's no big deal so the last day or two I spent my time drinking chai and kept my nose in my books at the neighboring beachfront cafes.

Overall I completeley love Kerala "God's owns Country" and only am now starting to get into the groove of this country. I wish I had more time to explore the neighboring states and to venture up north. But thanks to Kerala I have gained a few more feathers on my traveler's wings and feel I can travel anywhere still have a passion to visit the Northern states of India and now have the confidence to get there some day. I was scared doing this country alone but the people of Kerala were so friendly and helpful and always steered me in the right direction when I looked like I could use some us friendly advice everytime I was at a bus station someone was always there to make sure i got on the right bus and where to go once I got off that bus. I just feel so lucky to have had a small glimpse of India and am always amazed at what beauty there is in such an overpopulated place sure the place has it's own distinguished smells and lack of garbage control but get beyond what you see in front of you and take a closer look and you will all me just as amazed as I am and probably will be for a very very long time.

next stop Nairobi, Kenya!! can't wait too see family, friends and a good party I could use a drink after being sober for a month.