Day 56 Kovalam

Lazy last day in India at the so called resort!  This is what we wrote for Trip Advisor

This was the last stop on our 2 month bucket list lifetime trip, and we were looking forward to a day or so in a luxury spa retreat. (This is what we had been led to believe). Felt more than a little disappointed. Perhaps 30 years ago it would have been fabulous.
Lush landscaping, beautiful grounds, big rooms and balconies/patios in Beach complex.
There are also Cottages – bathroom is ensuite, sort of, but semi outside. Think upscale wilderness camping.
In order to reach any of the public areas- I.e. you have to walk quite a bit, so not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
Restaurants, shop, reception etc are all outside with no AC, and if it’s raining you are soaked by the time you get there as it is a sprawling and large complex. They do generously provide one small umbrella per room! Said with sarcasm.
Had to ask for robes, slippers and a hair dryer. Why are they not already in the room?
Wifi goes off more than it’s on and the power goes off randomly, that seems to be the norm in southern India, but there are no torches/flashlights provided.
No snacks in mini bar. The shop on the property sold mainly souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, a few toiletries and 3 varieties of chocolate bar. No snack items.
Should you want room service you would have to phone the restaurant but as there was no menu provided in the room this might be challenging if you have a language barrier. Neither was there a directory of services, phone info., TV guide or instructions, no info what so ever in room.
No feather pillows, poor quality tired bed linens.
Crap bathroom, poor amenities, no hair conditioner, lousy plumbing, no shower pressure. Old and tired.
Breakfast buffet just acceptable, not much choice of Western food, coffee instant Nescafé unless you request black filter, which was weak. Both tea and coffee come with milk -FYI, request black otherwise.
Restaurant staff, the more senior ones were very accommodating and tried hard to get you any special requests.
Had dinner in beach side seafood restaurant, we were the only diners. Small menu, but excellent food.
Had an early dinner the night before we left in the main restaurant, but as it was before 7.30 (dinner time), only a snack menu was available. The senior waiter made sure we could get anything else from the menu which was very much appreciated.
Best thing – AC works really well.
Beach is adjacent to the hotel but unless the tide is out and you are OK walking through garbage, its inaccessible.  

After breakfast we made our way toward the beach.  There was a dirt road running parallel to the beach behind the hotel with homes, small food stands, cows, chickens, dogs, motor cycles, trash, laundry, young kids playing, teens hanging out, several churches and Jesus statues!

We saw a crow in the garbage pile stuck to a packet of sticky mouse trap trying to free itself.  Mitzvah of the day, John picked up the packet and I peel the birds feathers off the sticky stuff, and he flew away – relieved I am sure!

We also saw, to our amazement, two sea turtle shells, sad to know that they were more than likely someone’s dinner.

As you can see from the far too many photos, we walked out toward the sea, with trepidation as the tide was high and coming in and we could have been stranded on a sandbank!