South India!
Arriving in South India was very exciting. I had heard so many stories from friends about it's utopic beauty. I was not disappointed However for the first time the shock of cultural difference hit me in a negative way. It's not as common to hear English being spoken in the South. On a positive note, however, it was a very authentic Indian experience. Still recovering from my week in the hot tiger jungle, I looked forward to coco nuts and poolside snoozing. I was welcomed with a coconut and a room upgrade.
The resort was huge! Due to it being the end of the season, it was nearly vacant too. This may be why I was over serviced! Or perhaps (as I've heard,) it's because the service in India is very tentative. So much so that I had to ask for some more privacy, but in a grateful manner.
I felt as though "service" or to have assistance to living is how the affluent Indians show their wealth and prosperity That way they gain time to do the more important things, like religion. They also invest in Gold that they often wear. It's a different approach to most of the Western societies that spend their fortunes on material possessions and making their physical appearance more youthful or attractive. The Help is still used in Western societies but is not boasted about... Interesting choices, I think that the Indians show a more modest and down to earth way of enjoying their wealth and perhaps, life. It is a matter of opinion.
As I settled into my room I looked over the itinerary for the week and the day spa treatments. I decided take up any opportunity I could to explore South India and it's culture. As well as take on a seven day massage treatment. The treatment involved being covered and massaged with Indian herbs and oils. It was to enrich the skin and energise the muscles. The same girl gave me the treatments every day. She was attractive, pleasant and thorough. At the end of the full body rub down. I would be wrapped in a towel, for the oils and herbs to soak in. Then I would shower before leaving. Each time, my skin felt like silk afterwards and I also felt detoxed, as well as utterly relaxed and calm. I lost 3kgs due to this treatment.
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| The "Coffee Shop" near my room. This small cafe did not have any coffee, nor was it a shop. But I could get nice Indian seafood dishes and local beer here, between 3:30-6:30pm each day. |
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| A picture perfect view from the paddle boat on my second day. |
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| Some adorable local children that waved and yelled "Hi! Hi!" as we paddled by. |
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| Little snap of me on the boat, steered and captained by a non english speaking local Indian man. |
