Our driver, Joshy, is being a little 'sniffy' with us. When we planned this trip he suggested we stay overnight (last night) at Tanjore (where we visited the Big Temple) but we wanted to move closer to our next destination and I found this town called Kumbakonam and asked him to arrange accommodation for us.
As we left Tanjore yesterday he kept grumbling that he didn't know why we'd chosen this place, what on earth we were planning to do here, he's sure the hotel won't be to our liking etc., so much so that he had us quite worried by the time we got here. In the event, the hotel is a little 'tired' but its more than adequate with working aircon, good shower and plenty of space. Our only gripe is that the hotel caters for coach parties and that makes dining difficult as we don't want to eat buffet with them.
We went down to breakfast at 8am this morning to find the dining hall looking like a bomb had hit it - all the food had gone, no cutlery on the tables and no fruit juices etc. We found a member of staff and eventually got a table set up and organised toast and eggs but it took nearly an hour by which time David had the hump and we were late meeting Joshy. Anyway, we've complained to reception, and the dining room manager, and he's promised to reserve us a table tonight at 8pm on the verandah away from the madding crowd. Time will tell.
Apart from that its a nice enough place. Its actually much bigger than we first thought and spread out over a large area. We're in a two storey house overlooking the pool but there are lots of bungalows further out. The gardens are planted with fruit and blossom trees/shrubs.
Lots of interesting things to see around the lobby areas of the houses
I love these huge doors ..... and you should see the size of the room keys. They're heavy brass and around 6" long
We're on the top (1st) floor and there are 3 rooms on this level with an open atrium and balcony.
Last night we had our very own visiting bat who periodically flew in and did a circuit of this landing (presumably after the bugs that were attracted by the wall lights). Its the closest David and I have been to a bat and we were fascinated
Now, answers on a postcard please. What do you reckon the steps are for on the left side of our huge shower area? David reckons its a viewing platform!!
Actually, the bathroom is the strangest thing about our accommodation. The basin is set at the back of a black stone surround which is so deep that I have to stand on tiptoe to lean over it to clean my teeth. Bearing in mind how petite most Indians are I wonder how they manage? Also, the loo is very high. When seated on the throne (as it were) one's feet don't touch the ground.
Some of the single storey accommodation
There are lots of these shrubs around, with red and orange flowers. I thought they might be plumbago but a quick Google check shows plumbago having more than 4 petals so I don't know ... haven't got time to do a proper search
Plenty of bananas ripening in the gardens
and masses of Jack Fruits. Thanks to a recent Quiz question (which we got wrong) we know that Jack Fruit is part of the Fig family
and Tamarind
As we left Tanjore yesterday he kept grumbling that he didn't know why we'd chosen this place, what on earth we were planning to do here, he's sure the hotel won't be to our liking etc., so much so that he had us quite worried by the time we got here. In the event, the hotel is a little 'tired' but its more than adequate with working aircon, good shower and plenty of space. Our only gripe is that the hotel caters for coach parties and that makes dining difficult as we don't want to eat buffet with them.
We went down to breakfast at 8am this morning to find the dining hall looking like a bomb had hit it - all the food had gone, no cutlery on the tables and no fruit juices etc. We found a member of staff and eventually got a table set up and organised toast and eggs but it took nearly an hour by which time David had the hump and we were late meeting Joshy. Anyway, we've complained to reception, and the dining room manager, and he's promised to reserve us a table tonight at 8pm on the verandah away from the madding crowd. Time will tell.
Apart from that its a nice enough place. Its actually much bigger than we first thought and spread out over a large area. We're in a two storey house overlooking the pool but there are lots of bungalows further out. The gardens are planted with fruit and blossom trees/shrubs.
Lots of interesting things to see around the lobby areas of the houses
I love these huge doors ..... and you should see the size of the room keys. They're heavy brass and around 6" long
We're on the top (1st) floor and there are 3 rooms on this level with an open atrium and balcony.
Last night we had our very own visiting bat who periodically flew in and did a circuit of this landing (presumably after the bugs that were attracted by the wall lights). Its the closest David and I have been to a bat and we were fascinated
Now, answers on a postcard please. What do you reckon the steps are for on the left side of our huge shower area? David reckons its a viewing platform!!
Actually, the bathroom is the strangest thing about our accommodation. The basin is set at the back of a black stone surround which is so deep that I have to stand on tiptoe to lean over it to clean my teeth. Bearing in mind how petite most Indians are I wonder how they manage? Also, the loo is very high. When seated on the throne (as it were) one's feet don't touch the ground.
Some of the single storey accommodation
There are lots of these shrubs around, with red and orange flowers. I thought they might be plumbago but a quick Google check shows plumbago having more than 4 petals so I don't know ... haven't got time to do a proper search
Plenty of bananas ripening in the gardens
and masses of Jack Fruits. Thanks to a recent Quiz question (which we got wrong) we know that Jack Fruit is part of the Fig family
and Tamarind
Have to admit that shower does look kinda strange but everything looks clean and spacious.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the meals though!
Hope your drivers mood improves! Love the statues in the garden, I'm guessing the odd looking bird is supposed to be a peacock. Have you tasted Jack fruit? Doesn't taste like figs?
ReplyDeleteHi Jan. Tonight we were shown to our reserved table on the terrace outside the main dining hall. Our 'new-found' friends were at the table next to us. We all ordered a-la-carte and got excellent service. We're told that the tables are reserved for us for breakfast time tomorrow also .... so our complaint was obviously taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteOur friends were told by a waiter that last night they had 150 people from the tour coaches and they just couldn't cope. It isn't their fault, they're doing the best they can under the circumstances but perhaps a few complaints to Management might make them realise that overbooking can be counter-productive.
I'm sure Joshy will be fine. I really think that he is worried we won't enjoy the experience and that is manifesting itself into this kind of panic/crotchety mood.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't eaten Jackfruit here. Its on sale in chunks in many of the markets but I won't eat fruit that's been peeled/sectioned and exposed to flies etc. I'd need to buy a whole one which isn't really viable. I think I probably ate in when I was living in Singapore but honestly can't remember.
wonderful travel diaries! I hope you will get to eat jackfruit --they are wonderful! and banana chips -freshly fried ;) Take care!
ReplyDeleteHi Meera ... thank you for visiting/commenting. Yes, I aim to try jackfruit soon.
ReplyDelete