Panchkarma Experience India
Panchkarma at SreeChithra Ayurhome – Chavakkad, Kerala, India
For the past 10 years I have wanted to come to India to take Panchkarma treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital. Now the dream has come true. Here is a daily account of my and my husbands experience over 28 days.
DAY 1
We arrived at our destination Kochi airport Kerala at 12:30am 1st November after 17 hours of traveling.
Picked up by a driver from Sreechithra Ayurhome and had a very amusing and sometimes harrowing car ride replete with lots of honking of the horn and constant flashing of high beam lights (which are used more out of courtesy than out of agitation. Arrived at 4am at Sreechithra Ayurhome in the rain. Very steamy, very reminiscent of home, the vegetation and the tropical climate.
Installed in our little cottage on the banks of the Canoli Canal. We had a couple of hours sleep, awake at 6:30am and had a little explore of the surrounds. Breakfast was served at 8am and was quite delicious, some sort of grain with a coconut milk topping and boiled banana. Interesting but nourishing and wholesome. Followed by a type of pancake with a carrot topping (which is a South Indian speciality)and a cup of tea. Very civilised start to the day.
It is so calm and peaceful here which is quite incredible as outside the place is mad with people everywhere, cars and tuk tuks’ driving like maniacs. There is a mosque and temple on the other side of the Canal where we hear the daily call to prayer and the singing from the temple. It is exotic and resonates deeply in your soul.
The two lady doctors arrived for a consult on our verandah and have devised a treatment plan to start today. Mick was whisked off in a lovely pink gown to his first treatments, Ayurvedic massage, Shirodhara and a knee basti! I had Udwarthanam (a dry herbal massage) by two very strong female therapists, this is to help to loosen any stagnation and move the Kapha dosha, the herbs are finely ground and warmed at the end of the Droni (Ayurvedic wooden massage table) a continuous application by a woman on either side, all over the body (no modesty here!) for one hour. After that is the pouring of warm to hot water all over the body for 45 mins, it’s like an Ayurvedic Vischy shower!.
Mick came back looking a lot brighter and felt a lot lighter. Day one treatments done and dusted.
Very nourishing meals for lunch and dinner and then the delivery of buttermilk and turmeric at night time. Not hungry at all during the day and didn’t even miss our daily coffee. Unbelievable.
We also had a chat with the one of the main Drs here, Dr Pratibha and her husband Dr Madhu who own the centre.
Everyone is so solicitous and very friendly and warm. We feel right at home.
DAY 2
This morning we attended the 6am yoga class. There were 3 of us in the class, it was very different to our western style of yoga, a gradual preparation with lots of movement of the limbs and breath work. Very impressed that Mick joined in and from all appearamces enjoyed it too.
Breakfast was standard Ayurvedic Sattvic food, a curry with vegetable, chappati, boiled banana.
Mick was whisked away again in his charming orange cotton robe for the same treatments as yesterday. I went later in the morning and again same treatments.
Lunch and dinner in the dining room with delicious various curries, chappati and rice.
Went for a little stroll out of the compound to the main road and back. Through very narrow alleyways, the cows are sacred and looked after but not the poor domestic cats and dogs.
Have met a few of the other patients here, a Russian lady Yefgenia with her grandson Nikita she has wonderful English language and is very easy to converse with, two young Indian nationals, one is here with his father who is taking treatment.
It’s so beautiful here in the compound in our little villa by the canal. So many beautiful birds, keeping us entertained.
DAY 3
Our last day of eating normal food before the real work begins…
We made it a point to savour our last meals, not leaving anything.
Treatments as per usual, I could totally get used to this..
Organised a Tuk Tuk to take us to the other Ayurvedic Hospital which is the sister to this one. It’s right on the beach (the Arabian sea). Doesn’t that sound exotic?
The Tuk Tuk ride was an experience, they really love the madness of weaving in and out of traffic honking their horns continuously, it was hilarious.
On arrival at Sreechithra we were greeted by a cast of thousands.. Well not thousands exactly, 6 or 7 to be precise. They were so welcoming and friendly. We had a walk to the beach as the sun was going down. The sea looked very inviting but no one was swimming. Loads of rubbish on the beach which was a shame as it spoiled the beauty. We watched the sun go down, a unique experience for us. We were shown around the compound, looked at the accommodation which was quite impressive. However, we love it here by the Canoli Canal in our little cottage. It’s quiet and peaceful (apart from barking dogs) Loving the early morning call to prayer.
Back for dinner and then chill out with a thunderstorm brewing. It’s hot and humid but not uncomfortably so. Cottage has air con which is much appreciated.
DAY 4
LET THE GHEE GAMES BEGIN!
50ml of medicated ghee first thing this morning, ginger water and if hungry rice soup is all that is taken.
The ghee wasn’t too hard to take, left us feeling quite full all day so didn’t feel the need for rice soup. Constantly being checked up by the Drs and Mohan from the kitchen chasing us to come for rice soup.
Didn’t do a lot today, just rested and had treatments, this time no hot water therapy for me, boo hoo! Just the dry hot herb massage and Shiro Thalam ( a herb paste applied to the scalp)
Because we were awake at 3:30am we went off to sleep at 7:30 only to be woken up at 8pm to the Drs, the herb bearing girl and Mohan and wife with all sorts of concoctions. Rice water, herbal churna, ginger water and rice soup. It was hilarious as we were fully asleep, then rudely awakened and had to drink all these medicines. Didn’t eat the rice soup. Went back to sleep eventually.
DAY 5
More ghee same amount because we didn’t eat the rice soup. We went and had some rice broth for breakfast, Mick ate a whole big bowl, I could only manage a little bit. Still not very hungry.
Went for a walk on their walking track outside the compound where the herb garden is.
Rested a lot, sat outside and had some visitors with Balajee (the young man accompanying his father) while he was here we saw an otter poke his head up just in front of us eating a fish. They call them water dogs here. That was a real treat. Balajee is going to help us get some binoculars delivered here from Amazon India. Really need them to check out the beautiful birdlife. The most amazing kingfishers, rainbow bee eaters, big birds of prey, giant herons and all kinds of other water birds. A fisherman in his canoe goes up and down the canal with his fishing net.
Went for treatments in the afternoon, Mick has been having the same, mine the same as yesterday with a kati basti treatment (different to what I do) but very delicious for the lower back.
Yefgenia and Nikita came for a quick visit, she is amazing, looks so young to be a grandmother to a 15 year old. They are both taking treatments but not Panchkarma. She follows Ayurveda in Russia and has an Ayurvedic Dr in Moscow that has been here and recommended that she come here for treatments. We are looking forward to having some conversations with her.
Had a look at some tours that we could do after we finish here for 8 days. Excited to explore Kerala, the backwaters, the hill stations and some wildlife sanctuaries.
DAY 6
A restless night and awake at 3am.
6am another 100 ML OF MEDICATED GHEE THIS MORNING… followed by ginger tea of course. Yum, hahaha
Balajee came and finished our Amazon transaction. He’s such a helpful and kind young man!
More rice soup for breakfast with poppadums! Drs come and do checkup on us. A French lady arrives and checks in to the cottage next to us, her name is Evalene and she lives up near the border with Switzerland in the snow country. More organising our tour of Kerala for our last week here.
More treatments in the afternoon, more rice soup at 6pm. Lots of relaxing, not feeling that energetic.
Went to sleep pretty early.
DAY 7
Mick had a bad sleep, I slept pretty well, the Dr and the Pharamacist came with the ghee at around 6:30am, 150 mls today. Made Mick feel a bit ill. I felt ok. Managed a bowl of rice soup, ginger water is on tap almost…
A fisherman came past our cottage and Mick went over to see what he had been catching. There were quite a few small fish like bream and maybe some herrings, he offered us a couple which we politely refused, not really feeling the raw fish vibes….
Balajee came a visited a couple of times, we aren’t very mobile at the moment keeping chill and quite…
Treatments as per usual which I’m loving……
Mick felt shocking today and kept threatening to Tap out! Hahaha
Quite humid reminds us of home.
DAY 8
Woke up early, I had a bad sleep, Mick had a good sleep…
Day 5 of ghee, this time 200 ml… Yikes we downed it like champions (not skulled) small sips
Went for a walk on the walking path just opposite the compound. We tried to go and have breakfast but weren’t able to face it, so left the dining room and back to the room for more rest…. They bought us bowls of rice soup to our cottage but couldn’t face it at all.
Had our usual treatments which made us feel a bit better.
Feeling very ordinary all day, the mere thought of ghee was just enough to make us gag.
Dr Pratibha and Dr Sonya came to see how we were doing, one test is how does the thought of ghee make you feel… not good that’s for sure. So ghee games are done and dusted….
We did well I reckon. 5 days of ghee and not much else except for rice soup, dry poppadums and ginger water….
Felt very happy after that… went to sleep with dreams of getting back to normal. Two days to transition back to normal food. Meaning more rice soup, but the added bonus of vegetables (one kind at a time). Woopty do.
DAY 9
Woke up early ….. no early morning visitors bearing ghee! Phew. Went for breakfast and along with the rice soup had some baby okra yum it was heaven! Haha. Mick saw a little squirrel in the coconut trees outside our cottage. Very busy with a gang climbing up the coconut trees and de nutting and timming the coconut fronds. They are so agile and skim up and down those trees like monkeys. Also saw the Otters in the Canal feeding on fish right out the front of the cottage, about six of them. Mick has early treatments and I have later treatments.
We have lunch this time with some soft egglplant. Dinner included cabbage. We both feel a lot better.
DAY 10
WORLD WIDE AYURVEDA DAY:
Virechana day: We had castor oil and lemon today about 30ml. Easy to get down with the lemon. Works on me in 1.5 hrs, takes a bit longer for Mick. Had some breakfast with more veg. Then asked to come to the ceremony marking Dhavanteras. Renewed our pledge to Ayurveda and the 3 of us international women were presented with a Sari. What an unexpected surprise.
Rested most of the day only had the basti treatments today, lower back for me and knee for Mick.
Spent most of the day resting, didn’t want to go to far from the WC. Highlight was Kitchari for dinner!
DAY 11
Back to normal eating today! Woke early and went to Yoga at 6am. Loving being the student, it’s so great. It’s a very different style of yoga, but gets all the joints moving and the breath flowing.
Breakfast of Iddly (soft rice cakes) and curry veg. Delicious. I went early for treatments. New treatment schedule today. I had a Kati Basti, Shirodhara and then a Kizhi bolus treatment which was invirgorating and stimulating and nourishing all at the same time. 3 hours all up. I felt so good today and very happy. Life is great! Feeling so blessed to be here, having this experience in India, it’s like a dream come true for me. Micks new treatments are Nasya which includes steam, smoke and oil up the nose… A bolus massage with fresh cut up herbs and looks like turmeric and a new treatment for his knee which is a herbal paste applied to the knee, wrapped in banana leaf and bandaged, left on for 6 hours.
Lunch was delicious , cup of tea at 4pm with a little sweet treat of rice flakes, fresh coconut and jaggery (raw sugar).. A delivery of fresh coconut water in the coconut was bought over to us around 5pm. What a treat! Dinner as per usual.
Herbal medicine is bought to our cottage and includes a churna (herbal mix with honey) some herbal tablets twice a day.
Yefgenia and Nikita left to go back home to Moscow.
Weather is humid, warm and not too hot, fireworks going off in the distance. Very smoky in the mornings
DAY 12
Dewali festival starts today.
No yoga this morning. Went for breakkie at 8:30am, whisked off for my treatments at 10:30am. Had the absolute best Shirodhara experience, it was sublime. Just loving the Bolus massage with the herbs and hot oil. The girls don’t hold back that’s for sure. To have two therapists working in sync is an amazing experience.
Mick had his treatments again and had his knee bandaged up.
When I got back from treatments, Evalene was here visiting, she is on day 3 of ghee treatment and feeling it.
Had lunch and rested most of the day. Mick saw a chequered Keelback snake in the Canal near our cottage.
The girls came and lighted the little oil lamps for Diwali and we were invited to the main house for Diwali celebrations. Candles everywhere, it looked so amazing. A cake!!!!! Was produced, a light sponge with lemon and cream…mmmmmm what an indulgence after being so strict with our diet. Just a small bit. The girls were all dressed up and they had a little dance, it was fun, lots of laughter and joy.
Dinner and then bed.
DAY 13
Woke up fairly early around 4:30AM, Yoga at 6am. It’s warm and humid and very smoky this morning, most likely from Diwali oil/ghee lights from last night.
Went for breakfast at 8:30am and collected for my treatments at 9:45am, another round of the same. Absolute bliss.
Didn’t get back from my treatments until 1pm, showered and went for lunch. Mick had his treatments early as well.
Rested up some more…… the binoculars arrived that we ordered through Balajee from Amazon. Mick super excited, now we can see the wildlife closer up. It’s great. Only had a small window as it was getting late but saw the Stork billed kingfisher and the white throated kingfisher across the canal. Another larger bird maybe a purple heron?. A lone flying fox that flies around the canal at dusk.
Mick saw a turtle pop it’s head up in the canal near our cottage today.
We had more drinking coconuts delivered to our cottage with straws, very spoilt!
Some more international arrivals, two from Kurkastan, one from Kochi, one from Sri Lanka. It’s a very multi cultural centre here at Sreechithra Ayurhome. It’s a very friendly and relaxed space. Everyone is so helpful, happy and eager to please. We feel very spoilt and comfortable.
DAY 14 (TWO WEEK MARK)
Woke up fairly early 5am and decided to take a walk into Chavakkad town about 2KMS down the road. Busy road, traffic going everywhere, very smoggy, lots of dust and activity. Found the shops and had a little look around. Most greeted us “good morning” Very friendly people but felt like a goldfish in a bowl. Definitely not locals!!
Made it back and had another shower to wash off the smog. Sent off day 1-13 to the website people to put on my blog page as I have no idea at this stage how to do…
Off to breakfast enjoying our mild curries for breakfast lunch and dinner! Who would’ve thought….
Drs came to take our blood pressure as is the daily custom here. All good. Collected at 10:45 for my 3 hour treatment session, fell asleep in the Kati Basti and the Shiro, definitely not during the bolus herbal massage. Very strong ladies and as I said before they don’t hold back….. Can feel all the 7 dhatus (tissues) getting nourished with this treatment.
No internet connection after this morning for the rest of the day.
Had a quiet afternoon after lunch. Balajee came for a visit. Went for the afternoon cup of tea (normal tea) and usually a sweet treat such at rice flakes, fresh coconut and jaggery but today was a let down for Mick with some sort of rice cake, bland and not very tasty. We both look forward to our afternoon treat.
However, we were once again presented with a whole coconut each and a spoon to eat the young coconut flesh, like coconut jelly. Delicious.
Evalene came for a visit later in the afternoon and we sat on the balcony of our cottage watching the birdlife on the Canal. Very pleasant. She is on day 5 of her ghee games and is hoping to finish tomorrow.
Mick has his knee bandaged with a herbal paste, banana leaf and bandage from 3pm to 9pm.
Early night and ready for day 15.
DAY 15
Woke up later this morning 5:45am, late for us! Decided to go for a walk to the main road and back and also a few laps around the walking path and then back up to the main road and back.
Breakfast at 8:30am and the whisked off at 9:30am for treatments, same as the past four days.
Felt refreshed and quite relaxed. Mick had his treatments and arrived back just after me.
The cleaning girls came and did the usual changing of the sheets and towels and cleaning of the cottage, this happens every day. We feel like we are being spoilt rotten. I think the highlight of this experience (apart from all the Ayurvedic treatments) is the way we are being catered for, every thing is looked after for us. We don’t have to worry about anything, cleaning, washing, food prep etc, we can just sit back, relax, take in the view and the ambience. It’s really quite an experience.
After yesterday’s foray into the world outside this compound, we are quite content to just take it easy and enjoy where we are.
After treatments we had lunch and then came back to our little cottage and rested some more….Balajee came and watched India vs New Zealand in the World Cup being played in Mumbai.
Both of Mick’s knees were bandaged up with the herbal paste, banana leaf and bandage.
The days seem to pass by pretty quickly with this schedule.
Had afternoon tea with Rice flakes, coconut and jaggery, Mick’s favourite sweet treat.
Fresh coconut delivery to our cottage again this afternoon. Delicious
Another delicious channa (chickpea) curry with Chappati and Iddly.
We have been practising the local language, Malayalam, we tried our new skills out on the kitchen staff which they thought was quite hilarious as we obviously didn’t get it quite right. We’ll keep practicing. Another pair of fishermen in their canoe set a net on the other side of the Canal, but only appeared to catch one fish.
Day 15 done and dusted.
DAY 16
Had a bad nights sleep, couldn’t get to sleep until around 3am. Woken at 6:20am by Sharikah (the pharmacist) with our herbal concoctions. Got up and went for a 30 minute walk to the road and back 3x. Internet was back on for the morning so managed to get some correspondence done.
Breakfast and then off for Kati Basti and Shirodhara treatments. A new bolus massage, this time fresh herbal leaf and herbs, turmeric being the main one. Loving these Kizhi treatments, they are next level.
Lunch and then back to cottage. Dr Pratibah and the other younger Drs came to visit to see how we are going. Discussed the treatments that we are getting and how we are progressing.
Balajee came and watched the cricket with Mick. Australia vs South Africa.
Afternoon tea with a new sweet, this was a heavy rice dumpling with jaggery and coconut in the middle. A bit too heavy for me. Enjoying the tea in the afternoon.
Collected at 4:30 for Nasya treatment by Shiba.
Mick has both knees bandaged but with Castor oil plant leaves instead of the banana leaf.
Dinner at 6:30pm and then back to watch the rest of the cricket match. I fell asleep pretty early around 8:30pm. Mick stayed up to watch the end. Australia won but it was touch and go right up to the end.
DAY 17
Had a great sleep. We both woke up at 3am, had a cuppa herb tea and went back to sleep at 4am till 6am. Went for a walk up and down the road 3x and then back for Yoga. Breakfast at 8:30am.
Maelle turns 7 today, no internet connection so couldn’t wish her a Happy Birthday early. Managed to hook up to International Day Pass with Telstra after much ado….was able to call Maelle later in the day.
Early for treatments this time the Ela Kizhi first, then the Kati Basti and then the Shirodhara. Fell asleep in the Kati Basti and the Shiro. No chance of falling asleep in the Kizhi, it can be quite rough!!!
Lunch after treatments, Mick was off having his treatments when I got back from mine. We are both loving the treatments, they are definitely next level….
I also had Nasaya at the same time and was collected in the afternoon for eye treatment Anjanam. I thought it was going to be soothing eye drops but man oh man they stung like crazy! What a shock. Shiba kept saying open eyes Maam, arghh. Eventually it was ok. I saw Dr Nihar walking past and asked her what the heck was in those eye drops. She assured me they are very good for the eyes and used as part of Dinycharya (daily routine) here in Kerala. I have a problem of my left eye watering for no apparent reason. Let’s see how this treatment works.
We had the usual afternoon cup of tea and sweet treat of rice flakes, fresh coconut and jaggery. As well as a delivery of fresh coconut to our cottage.
Watched the fisherman set their nets on the opposite side of the Canal and as they disappeared down the Canal the water dogs (otters) started raiding their nets and gobbling down all the fish. By the time they came back there were no fish in their nets… poor fisherman, all that work. Having the binoculars is a bonus, those water dogs are huge and voracious eaters. Saw a flock of Green Bee Eaters on a wire over the canal. Someone said they saw a crocodile today and yesterday but according to google there are no crocodiles in the backwaters of Kerala.. However, there are crocodiles in certain areas.
Saw some tiny little Palm squirrels this morning and a white breasted wood pecker.
Dinner at 6:30, very steamy today, thunder in the distance…. Maybe a storm brewing?
Shiba just came and put some paste on my head, just above the forehead and sealed it with a leaf of some sort. To stay on for 1 hour… Not sure what that is, I’m thinking to help with my sleep. She will be back in an hour to remove.
Sharikah just came and delivered our nightly herbs.
Time is flying, it will be hard to leave all this pampering and attention behind. We feel like royalty, we really do. So grateful.
DAY 18
Heavy rain overnight and early morning, torrential actually a real tropical downpour. Went for a walk 3x to the road and back and then Yoga outside this morning at 7am.
Breakfast and then Mick was collected early for his treatments. I waited until lunch time with no one coming so went to Lunch at 1pm and then collected at 2pm for treatments. Had the bolus massage again after Nasya, this time I have a bruise on my upper arm, they are quite brutal! had the stinging/burning eye drops again, agony for about 3 mins and then quite clear in the eyes. Had a paste (leham) applied to the top of my scalp, left on for 30 mins and then Shiba came and removed. They said it’s for my hayfever. Interesting…… also started with the Sneham Vasthi treatment (oil enema) No more Shirodhara or Kati Basti treatments.
Didn’t get up to much today, rested most of the day, had a couple of visits with Balajee.
Went for afternoon tea this time with boiled banana, not a fan, just had the tea.
Dinner at 6:30pm a lovely Channa curry with Chappati and coconut milk. Not tired of this delicious food, it’s awesome.
Shakirah came and delivered our nightly herb concoctions.
Shiba came and applied another paste to my scalp with a leaf over it, to leave on for 1 hour, then she will come and remove. Feel like this could be the start of a new Trend….the new look fascinator..
DAY 19
Woke up early, went for a good walk up and down the road for 30 mins. Then did some private yoga in our cottage. No yoga classes on Sundays.
Had delicious breakfast and collected early for treatments. New treatment today Pizhichil – literally means squeezing. This is a unique Ayurvedic therapy from Kerala. A special linen cloth is used by two women either side, dipped in warm/hot medicated oil and squeezed over the body while simultaneously massaging. The whole body is covered. Cleopatra eat your heart out! Absolutely devine. This treatment is a rejuvenating as well as curative procedure and helps the blood circulation and immunity. Also had Nasaya and in the afternoon the small Yogavasthi (enema). Everything working like a dream! Hahaha. Then had the eye torture of the stinging eye drops….Plus more Leham paste on my head complete with the leaf.
Dinner was yummy as per usual. Australia vs India in the World Cup. Australia wins the World Cup.
Saw water dogs (Otters) munching on fish in the Canal this morning and this afternoon.
DAY 20
Woke up early again, went for our walk up and down the laneway to the main road and back 3x. Then Yoga in the courtyard at 7am. It was a stunning morning for walks and yoga, a little bit of crispness in the air and not too smoky.
No breakfast for me, Big Vasthi instead. Yikes…. Had the Pizhichil massage first which was just amazing, I could so get used to this daily routine. Won’t go into the details of the Big Vasthi, I’ll spare you and leave it up to your own imagination….Suffice to say it was not that pleasant. Straight after the Big Vashti they escort you back to your room and watch as you eat a full big bowl of rice soup and a smaller bowl of greens (they were delicious).
Rested up and read a book for a while. Mick came back from his Pizhichil massage and we sat outside on the verandah watching the day go by with Balajee.
The cleaning girls came around lunch time so we waited for them to finish and then went to lunch. Delicious lunch today, beans and beetroot, a vegie curry of some sort, rice and rasam.
Back to the cottage for more relaxing, we seem to be doing a lot of that and it’s coming pretty easy…
Balajee came for another visit, he is leaving with his father in two more days. They have just about completed 28 days. Tomorrow we have been here for 3 weeks already. Where has the time gone???
Went for a boat ride up and down the Canoli Canal, it was really pleasant, a nice breeze and great to see what’s up river. Some HUGE houses owned by people who work in the UAE. And then beside them some very very basic houses, such a huge contrast.
Apparently we have a taxi coming tomorrow to take us for an excursion into Thrissur, the nearest big town. Should be interesting.
I was collected after lunch for the eye torture and Nasaya treatment. I’m still alive and still have my sight..
Fresh coconut delivery by the very delightful Shandi, so happy all the time.
Went for dinner and then Addulia came and put the paste on my head complete with the leaf. She’ll be back in an hour to take it off.
Another delivery of after dinner herbs by Sharikah.
DAY 21
Three weeks today, time seems to have flown by. Woke early as usual, went for a 30 min walk up the road and back 3x. Then morning yoga session outside at 7am.
Breakfast at 8:30am and then whisked off for the Pizhchil oil massage. Mick had early treatment and back before I left.
The mornings fly by with our exercise routine, breakfast and then treatments.
Went for lunch at 1pm, delicious as usual. Lunch is the best meal of the day.
The girls came to clean the room again after lunch, Mick had a rest, I went and floated on the hammock for 30 mins. I had the eye torture and nasya and small Vashti. Mick had a new treatment today, a different type of bolus which had lndian limes, egg yolk and turmeric, he came back a lovely shade of yellow!
Later in the afternoon the Drs came and put a paste on Mick’s head for a headache. Seemed to work well.
Went for afternoon tea and Evelene invited us to come with her to the beach for a swim. It was fantastic, so great to swim in the sea. The Arabian sea!
Went for a walk on the beach and then watched the setting sun. Saw a few dolphins swimming in close chasing fish.
There was a big event happening at the Beach Hospital, a Swami is holding court there and heaps of people were piling in to see him, the ladies all dressed up in their beautiful Saris.
