Jan 22, trains trains trains, Kochi to Kollam, Kerala

Picturesque landscapes on the way to Kollam

We arrived to Kollam in the evening. After discovering roaches the size of mice in our room two hours after we checked in [mystery train bugs revealed!], we packed our bags and proceeded to negotiate with the employee who refused to give our money back. Instead, he brought a bottle of piss colored liquid, disappeared in the bathroom from hell, and started smacking the walls like there was no tomorrow. Stressed, I broke down entirely, tears uncontrollably running down my face. He wasn’t giving in and, tired of being cheated out of our money, we weren’t backing down either. After countless pleas and requests, my shouts about bad karma getting to him, and arguments about honesty and fairness, he finally called the owner who returned our money - minus Ru100 for the two hours. So be it.

Every other budget place Sebastian checked in the neighborhood had roaches running wild in the lobby so we opted out and checked into the most swanky hotel yet.

 Can't say enough about crispy sheets...

Sebastian got down on his knees and kissed the sink.
We have an entertaining video of this but it doesn't want to upload...

We have 24 hours to check out and are seriously reconsidering backwater tour tomorrow just to stay here longer and fully enjoy the luxury that will unlikely happen very soon.