KERALA: Day One, Dec. 13th (Lighthouse Beach/Kovalam Beach)

Because I am SO far behind with my blogging--2 weeks, to be precise-- I am going to zip through the story of Kerala and my weeklong visit there. On December 13th, I flew from Goa--via Bangalore (now known as Bangaluru) to Trivandrum, in Kerala. I first checked into a HORRIBLE Airbnb in the city (see story attached to pic below) but vacated quickly. Good luck-- I managed to find a MUCH better place right on the beach (Kovalam area; Lighthouse Beach, specifically) in a funky-but-view-to-die-for hotel called The Orion. Here, I remained for the full week, having mostly good experiences! 

Yes, is this a classic ocean sunset view, or what?!?! Taken right from my little balcony at the Orion Hotel. It was a very basic and funky room, but you cannot beat the view, no?!?

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The lighthouse--hence, the name "Lighthouse Beach". Lots of activity went on down below, on the boardwalk beneath me, providing my voyeuse-self nightly entertainment! 


Long layover here in the Bangalore airport--modern, stylish...this was their Starbuck's restaurant, as you can see! Since this city is the IT capital of India, and possibly the world (except for Silicon Valley, of course...), it is not surprising there is a lot of income here. Hence, a VERY upscale, lovely airport!


Yeah, what can I say?!? The worst of Americana has infiltrated and polluted this country! Just what the Indians need, right?!? 


It is a little hard to see, but the room I rented through Airbnb was situated right on a MAJOR, very noisy/busy street!!! The host had assured me it was "quiet", with only "mild" traffic noise!! Unbelievable. Sure, if you consider constant buses, trucks, autos, motorcycles, scooters, rickshaws and  constant honking "quiet"! (Maybe if you are psychotic?!!?) Some of the hosts here in India lie shamelessly...as do the guests in their reviews (their relatives, perhaps?!?!) Anyhow, there thus ensued another very unpleasant battle with Airbnb to get a refund. They do NOT make it easy. I really detest this company, but since they have a monopoly on this sort of budget accomodation, I basically have no choice but to use them. It is SO aggravating!!! 

Here at the Orion, in my funky, basic room, at least there is only the sound of the ocean waves, the cawing of ravens, beach music (but not TOO loud) and the occasional barking dog in the night. A VAST improvement, to be sure!!!



Apart from the bed"room" and the bathroom, that was the whole of the accomodation! 





 

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