We’ve Arrived; And So Have The Bikes

Well the lounge has a maximum stay of 5 hours, but we just kept smiling sweetly and eating all that was put out, and not draining their bar, so all was good. No one felt our collar and we just exited after nearly 10 hours when we were ready for a change of scene. 

We spotted the first of the Manchester contingent whilst at the departure gate and noted with alarm that the Heathrow flight was delayed thereby leaving them just 35 minutes from touch-down to gate closing ... and it's a real long walk from arrival to departure (with security again). They made it, just, but did the bikes??  

Amazingly they did!  Good Morning Trivandrum!  After the standard Indian  beurocracy  at arrivals, made even more complex with the current Coronavirus checks and paperwork, we were questioned, photographed, finger-printed and had our electronic visa printouts physically stamped, written up, and signed then checked 3 times before we were released into baggage reclaim. All items were present and correct (even a tandem). 

The support crew met us and we had a white knuckle ride to a rather charming Heritage Resort Hotel by the coast. For 4am it was all pretty busy. At 06:00 we hit the horizontal and remained comatose until 09:00 when the alarm cruelly dragged us (or rather me) reluctantly from the dreamless depths of slumber. I then did the same for Anne so that we could breakfast before it closed. Outside the heat and humidity hit us like a hot, wet blanket. Next, we created quite a sight that drew crowds of curious onlookers as we all proceeded to unpack and rebuild the bikes. The support crew and staff were endearingly over-helpful in getting the bikes out of the bags (no, please leave it, I know how I packed it and what bits I need; and I know which bits are hanging by a cable; and I know what order I want it; and don't throw the bubble wrap away; and now where's my tools?). All done with big smiles and good humour and plenty of questioning from watching kids. Eventually the chaotic stage was replaced with order, relief, and a squadron of carefully reconstructed bikes, clean, and in perfect working order. After short check rides round the hotel (boy am I glad we brought the fatter wheeled hard-tails), and with shirt clinging to me like a wet rag, I returned to our bungalow for a welcome cold shower then we all regrouped for a massive lunch. 

A descent to the adjacent beach walked off some calories (those that hadn't been sweated away), but I resisted a swim.  Anne paddled then went for a dip in the pool and tasked me with getting the oil that she'd picked up on the beach off her sandals ... and flip flops!!  Good job I brought some Swarfega!

Oh, and my cold seems to have fizzled out to nothing. Excellent! Or maybe that's famous last words?