Well I'm in Kovalum for the weekend to see what it is like during the monsoon, to allow Colin, Ali and I to plan our trip next summer. The answer? It's fine, most of the shops are open and the restaurants. The beach is out of use though as the sea is very rough and waves are breaking right up to the wall of the walkway.
I'm staying in the Rockholm as usual and the price is half that of high season, which is great news. I went along to the Sea Face hotel this afternoon and used their swimming pool for the outrageous sum of 300 rupees, around 3pounds 50. This may be where we will stay next summer as it is rather more up-market than the Rockholm and then we wouldn't have to pay extra to use the swimming pool.
Luckily the exchange rate is good just now. I cashed the travellers cheques for this years grant to the school - going to the bank in Tirunelvelli is a real marathon you may remember, it took over an hour last time. It took less than 5 minutes here where they are more geared up to dealing with tourists... and I got 7 rupees more to the pound than I had been offered at the airport on Monday, so that makes almost 10% difference.
I've just been for an Ayurvedic massage, very nice so am feeling particularly chilled.
I mentioned the high waves, when I was walking along this afternoon, one came so high that I was completely soaked even though I was right up against the shop window, had to buy myself a wrap around skirt to keep myself decent! Damn! Cost me all of 250 rupees... cheaper than my swim.
I'm heading back to Tirunelvelli mid afternoon tomorrow and may be back in time for evensong at Military Lines Church which would be nice.
I forgot to mention that I went to RMKV looking for fabric on Thursday and met two white girls, on asking where they were from and what they were doing... as one does! I found they were from Manchester and working as volunteers for 3 months at the nursing home just around the corner from my house in Perumalpuram. They have been here a week and said it was strange to see another white person... I knew what they meant.