Leaving the Ashram

Our taxi ride (part 2 taxi ride) to Kovalam from the Ashram was bitter sweet as we really enjoyed the stay but are happy to be moving on. It's about 2.5 hours travel time in a taxi which can be a tough ride but we were lucky enough to negotiate and get an air conditioned SUV that has proven to be very comfortable. This means we were all able to fall asleep for some time during the ride.
We have never been to this resort in K0valam before and weren't for sure what we were getting ourselves into. The website photos and descriptions can be quit deceiving at times. When we arrived it was far better than we could have hoped for.
We will be staying here a couple days then off to the airport for our trip home.


OUr experience is hard to explain as nothing profound happened at anyone time. It was a combination of things which can only be experienced by staying for an extended period of time that have left an impact on us. The travel, tropical climate, living conditions, spiritual practices, people from all over the world, and especially AMMA who started this ashram are a few of the things we experienced at different times for different lengths of time that have been a apart of our adventure. Jolena adjusted and did great on this trip, she was bitten by spiders and mosquito's, scarred by a huge toad that jumped at her, screamed when a giant cockroach ran in front of her, had an eagle swoop down and take food from her plate, was terrified when a crab on the beach ran across her foot, was hit by waves, eat strange food, slept on floors and cots, took cold bucket showers, was butted in the butt by a calf at the ashram, played with kids who don't speak English, sang spiritual songs in the temple, swam in some pretty cool swimming pools, hiked in the coconut groves, and more. She kept a daily diary which is full of pictures she drew of her experience. Who knows what she got out of the trip, it will be interesting to see what she remembers.
Judi has been an amazing travel partner and we have really gotten along well during this adventure. Everything great about our relationship surfaced during this trip along with everything frustrating. The important thing was that we talked about it all when it surfaced which made it possible to really enjoy our trip and grow together as partners.

More later..... Steve