Arriving in Kerala

Arriving in Kerala – a small miracle with Singapore Airlines, arriving in my first airbnb homestay Saatwika and a visit to Veli Beach – did I way it was hot?

The Flight Marathon and a Small Miracle

I am not a fit flyer at the best of times, and the flight from New Zealand to Singapore to Kerala was almost a mini marathon for this non runner. Not as full on as he Finnish girls beside me who were in for 36 hours of flying before they got home.

At the airport I went to change seats to an aisle sit, and mentioned that I was a bit claustrophobic and more leg room would be great. The woman helping me also mentioned in passing that she was also claustrophobic, and lo and behold when I got on the big Singapore Airlines Flight I was not only in one of the main exit rows, it was the one beside the kitchen not the toilet! Pure bliss. The power of bonding with a stranger through dropping a small piece of information about yourself! The flight was a dream – thanks to Singapore Airlines for a small miracle.

The power of bonding with a stranger through dropping a small piece of information about yourself! The flight was a dream – thanks to Singapore Airlines.

The flight to Kerala was more of a challenge, but it was shorter and on one of my trips to the toilet I found an empty row of seats which I stretched out on, which helped.

Heat Shock

Kerala was 37 Degrees when I arrived at 10pm – steamy and hot. Outside I was of course met by a posse of taxi drivers. Bargaining was out of the question – they were a closed shop and they would not compete with each other! Anyhow 450 rupies (about $10NZ) and I was safely delivered to my address after a few phone calls to clarify where it was – Near a main road, but down a long narrow access drive.

Saatwika Healthy Stay

My hosts at Saatwika Healthy Stay greeted me warmly despite my late arrival. It is an Ayurveda centre for treatment and training run by Dr Salini in this home she shares with her family, and some guests. I found it on Airbnb and it also has some reviews on Trip Advisor.

My room is spacious with a bathroom attached – a few intricacies about power and hotwater were explained and I fell gratefully into bed under a humming air conditioning unit. Bliss!

Breakfast was kerala style with lovely hot sweet spiced tea and rice cakes with a kind of pickle and fresh bottle of water to which will get me through the day. I am looking forward to an Ayurveda massage this afternoon 🙂

Veli Beach

Ready for an excursion, I went out for a walk along the lanes of homes – 2-4 stories comfortable residences, then up the main road where a group of auto rickshaws were waiting for fares. The water was dripping off me in the humidity, so the thought of having a breeze was attractive. Kunjumyn was my driver.

When I am in a town or city, I love to touch the waterways they depend on.

We settled a trip to Veli Beach – about 30 minutes away. It is only 5 rupees to get in, but I had no change, so Kunjumyn had to pay. It was a pleasant place with shade to sit under in places, a frangipani flowering caught my eye, and a walk to the beach through stalls found us with a huge vista of sea and golden sand, stretching as far as I could see. No one swimming or even looking like swimming, but fishing boats and a group of men hauling in a net.

I am melting so it is back to Saatwika to relax in some air conditioning and prepare for that massage  🙂

Rosemary is participating in #Keralablogexpress organised by Kerala Tourism