Kanyakumari to Puvar (17)

We got up early today and went out on a local ferry to the Thiuvalluvar Statue and the Swami Vivekandanda Rock Memorial. Getting to these two was an adventure. We recognize that Indian people have a very small personal space and we have a much larger one. We’ll leave it at that and say that the ferry we were on in Canada would hold 100 people. There were likely 200 on the one we were on. None of us were uncomfortable using our elbows, as it was required. We are not exactly blending in with the people here – height and skin colour have made us quite the objects of interest (note the word object). Sam’s height and Alex’s eyes have also captured the attention of young and old and on occasion some very rude young men. Sam has rediscovered t-shirts and long pants, Alex and I have developed radar skills to move in and stop some of the behavior that is a bit more intrusive than we like! The girls have had their photo taken many times with people that are fascinated with them. We have loved this trip, met many nice people, but there is definitely a difference in what we consider our personal space. Sam’s comment after this trip was, “if this is what we have to deal with, can you imagine what it must be like to be famous? I’d go crazy if I had to deal with this every day.”
On a good note, we arrived on the rock(s), and can understand why the poet Thiuvalluvar went and sat on the rock to contemplate things for 3 days. It was so peaceful, powerful and awe inspiring to be sitting so close to the ocean as the waves crash against the rocks. We forgot time and were there for almost an hour just watching and listening to the surf.
We then had a 3 hour trip to our next destination – Puvar. We all have different ways of getting through the driving. Jack and Sam enjoy the excitement , I’ve opted to read my book, and Alex falls asleep. Driving beside the Ghat Mountains is pretty spectacular. The windmill farm(s) is also very impressive. But those things are pretty noisy! Can’t imagine living close to one.
We had a 10 minute boat ride to get to our hotel and we were pleased when we arrived. It is a wonderful setting, a lagoon in front with a sand bar that we have to take a boat to, crashing waves, and a facility that is wonderful. We had some fun when we first got to our rooms as there were a few things not quite right (it is NOT tourist season here, so repairs are going on in hotels, and there are not huge crowds of tourists anywhere). So while taps were fixed, light bulbs changed, safes replaced (I love this – they have the safe in every room that you can lock with your personal code – however they are not bolted down, so they are easy to walk around with. We have discovered that a couple of times when the safe has not worked, or I have forgotten the number, they came and opened it for us. In Canada they make a big deal of it, tell us they have to get a locksmith - here they call housekeeping and the person walks in, punches a couple of number and the safe door opens, or if not working properly, they take it away and bring it back! It pays to check this out while travelling so that you can decide whether to leave your valuables in your room safe or the hotels’ safe at the front desk!). Everyone was terrific and we were out and ready for the beach within an hour.
We had a short ride over to the beach. There are signs telling everyone that the ocean is not safe to swim in and that the hotel is not responsible for personal loss. So needless to say Jack was the first one into the ocean! The waves were lots of fun, but at the same time pretty scary (for me!). They do not come in just straight into shore, but sometimes they run across the shore as well. Jack and the girls had a great time and we have some great footage of them in the water. Literally you can stand on the shore and have the water at your ankles, and 2 seconds later you are covered up to your shoulders. If you fell, getting up took a few seconds. Another family came over and was watching us in the water. They decided to try what we were doing as well. Unfortunately they were in full clothes and when the waves hit them, they had quite a bit of difficulty getting back up. The boat driver had a few scary moments getting them back up and out of the waves. They did eventually and laughingly admitted that it was lots of fun. They had come out to the beach to look, so had no towels. We gave them a couple of ours to dry off. They then went back to the hotel and into the pool. We went for a walk along the beach. There were no sea shells which surprised us considering the wave action that we were seeing. Then we too went back to the hotel for a swim and to get ready for a game of ping pong. Jack is the Champion, but the 3 of us are mentally getting ready for a rematch tomorrow!
Since we are at the seaside, we opted for a seafood dinner at the restaurant by the water. Lobster, squid, fish and curry were the choices for tonight. And as usual, by 9:45 Jan & Jack are ready for bed and Alex and Sam are off to find a computer to communicate with friends back home. Good night all – Jan.