Blown away by Indian hideaway

1She has fallen in love with the small rural village Kovalam after enjoying what she described as the “trip of a lifetime.”

But this was no ordinary holiday as Karen, of Swinton, travelled out to stay with former Mexborough barmaid Sue Nortcliff (53) who has set up her own bed and breakfast business in India.

Karen and Sue’s son Dan have just returned from two weeks at one of the villas which Sue and her husband Paul designed and built with the help of a team of Indian builders.

Karen, who visited for the first time since the complex opened in 2010, said: “It was totally amazing. It absolutely blew me away.

“The accommodation is just beautiful and I’m not surprised that it has been such success because Sue and Paul always put everything into anything that they do.

“I know they fell in love with the place straight away and so did we. It was just so beautiful.”

During their stay, Karen and Dan visited an elephant sanctuary, a number of remote beaches, enjoyed meals with locals and watched an Indian christening festival which involved a baby, held by an adult in a harness, being lifted off the ground.

“It was the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen,” said Karen. “Compared to our tradition, to see a baby hanging upside down on a crane was just unbelievable.

“The other thing that really moved me was seeing the elephants. We got into the lake and helped to feed and wash them and it was a wonderful experience.”

Now the couple hope to return one day to the “remarkable place.”

“We made so many friends and fell in love with the locals, we were made to feel so welcome,” added Karen.

“You are at the heart of the community and it is just such a genuine experience of another culture, there are no man-made beaches or purpose-built resorts.

“It was just raw nature and something that we will never forget.”

But while Karen and Dan had to say goodbye to the haven, Darfield residents Sue and Paul continue to run their successful business from November to April, returning to the UK for six months to avoid the monsoon season.

Sue and Paul’s love affair with India started when they went on holiday in 2002 and loved it so much that they decided to build their own home there.

They bought some land in Kovalam in 2005, hired a team of builders and managed the project, with their first house built in 2008.

Four years later and Sue and her electrician husband Paul have built two villas surrounded by coconut and mango trees which they hire out to holidaymakers from all over the world.

The colonial-style development features the main house Jasmine Cottage, which has four bedrooms and is just a ten-minute rickshaw drive from the beach.

There is also a two-bedroom gate house which is available for separate hire.

Sue and Paul have completed a landscaped garden area and are now working on building a pool.

They even have their own rickshaw driver, Lesley, who takes guests around the area.

And Sue offers a number of excursions including trips to temples, wildlife treks, bike rides and a visit to see the sanctuary for orphaned elephants.

The couple have been overwhelmed by how popular the complex has become and they now hold the top spot on travel review site Trip Advisor.

For more information visit www.su paindia.com or email sue.nortcliff@hot mail.co.uk.