Varkala

Unfortunately there’s no easy way to get from Kumily to Varkala on public transport. 9 Hour public bus journey through windy roads was too much for us to consider this time, so we treat ourselves and hire a driver. Although we booked a standard car, we got a free upgrade to an ‘Ambassador’. There’re basically the equivalent of a black cab. Spacious and comfortable. These cars seem to come from the late colonial era in style. 

The trip takes around 5 ½ hours. Would have taken longer with chai/curry breaks, but we forgo these. The driver floored it most of the way through windy mountain roads. Not exactly comfortable, but we get to Varkala in one piece.

We wanted a bit of beach time in Kerala and the choice was between Varkala & Kovalam. The latter is known for being ‘the most developed resort in Kerala’. This puts us off a bit, so we went for Varkala; smaller, but apparently more ‘chill’.

Not too much to report other than we spend two days relaxing on the beach. The beach is pretty awesome; fine white sand and clear warm waters. Apart from hairy men playing bongos very badly, it’s bliss. The heat was enough to force us back indoors between 12-2PM . The hippies doing yoga on the beach seem somehow ‘heat resistant’, cooking themselves all day.