After a 50-minute drive my driver drops me off at Casa Colvale (in the middle of nowhere) and I tip him 200 Rupees. I have no idea if it's an amazing, mediocre, or paltry gratuity. I arranged the ride through CC for 1,500 Rupees.
My room (room 6) is insane. Insane! It's an oversized corner suite with a view of the river and outdoor dining room/bar. Some people have parking karma -- always scoring rock star spaces -- but I'm blessed with good room karma. As usual, I discovered it through i-escape. I'm paying only 23,100 INR for three nights, but the rate more than doubles beginning the night I check-out.
Circadian rhythm dazed and confused, I meander down to the dining room/deck at 6:00. James, the expat Brit manager, greets me warmly and addresses me by name (very impressive). He's charming: longish, curly blond hair secured by sunglasses; an untucked, floral beach shirt; flipflops; and shorts down to his knees. Reminds me a little of that Simon guy from The Mentalist. He sits with me awhile and shares His Story in-between incoming cellphone calls. James is excited about the the musicians he has booked for the evening, and invites me to join his table later for dinner.
Although the time is only 6:00, I place my order: I've eaten only a Luna bar (Nuts Over Malt) today. By 7:30 my meal has not arrived (and I'm the sole diner on the deck) and I've consumed two Kingfisher beers. James reappears, now properly dressed for dinner, and beckons me over to the loungy-type area. Elena, another solo traveler, who hails from London, via Cyprus joins us for a cocktail.
My dinner is promptly served at 8:00, forcing me to remove myself from the cool kids and return to my single table: I clearly don't understand the dinner ordering/serving protocol here. I'd rather be imbibing with the In Clique instead of eating alone, but it's probably for the best: it's only 8:30 and I'm beat. But my food (shrimp in coconut curry) and the atmosphere (love the sitar music) is perfect.
I return to my fabulous digs, attempt Too Much Happiness on my Kindle, and promptly doze off in a drool by all of 9:00.
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