We flew out to India from Gatwick on a direct flight with Air India on Tuesday night. Cabbed to the airport with Kelvin, our friendly local taxi. Check on was a breeze and once airside we met up with our friends Joseph and Janet, who were on the same flight.
The flight took off about 2030 and was very smooth. We had spent about £20 each to get seats right at the front of economy and we had also booked a window and an aisle seat in a row of 3. Generally this is a good strategy and it paid off this time. The middle seat remained vacant and so we had 3 seats between us. I would say this works 80% of the time but you have to accept it may not.
Food was excellent. 2 very good meals. Drinks were a bit limited in range but free and generous. Entertainment was a bit rubbish but as I intended to sleep. I didn’t care . I had a vodka and tonic, took a sleeping tablet. Put in my noise cancelling earbuds and my sleep mask and slept like a log till breakfast came around.
We landed in the new airport at Mopa bang on time at 1045 and were quickly through immigration and our bags came off pretty quickly. Unfortunately Joseph and Janet were not so lucky and it was a long wait for their bags. Once we had everything we went to one of the government licensed prepay taxi offices in the terminal and got a big car for 4 ppl and a lot of luggage. It cost 6300 INR. The journey to Patnem took about 2.75 hours. Much longer than from the old airport . It must have an impact on international tourism to the deep south .
Got to Eve’s just before 4pm. Fairly tired but very happy to be greeted and shown to our lovely room. We unpacked and rested in the ac till 630. Went down to the restaurant, had a g&t with Joseph and then we 4 walked down to Casa Fiesta on the beach. Still very warm. All the beach road traders welcomed us back and wished us Happy New Year which is always so nice.
I had tandoori garlic chicken with vegetables and salad. Bob had prawn masala, Rice, salad, poppadam, paratha. I drank a bottle of fizzy water and Bob had s beer. It was about £9 all in.
So good to be back. A few changes on the beach road – new bars and a gelato shop – but still the same quiet place. Much quieter than this time last year. Must be the airport.
The next morning Bob and I were on the beach by 9, breakfasting at Sea Front, our daytime base. Nice welcome backs there too. Had a super day ve nturing briefly out into the hot sun for swims but being careful. It is about 35C . Sea temperature is about perfect I would say. There was a bit of a swell.
Typical Patnem day. I sunbathed, read and swam. Bob played rumicube in the afternoon and then got a haircut and a shave.
John and Susan arrived about 530 and we all met up in the bar at 630. Heather and Chris and their Cyprus group were also there. Seem to be having a great time. Kevin Brown was playing live at Eves so we ate there and watched him. He was excellent as usual. Really good. A very good start to our winter.
