After 2 days off doing nothing we both found it difficult to get going further south but we simply had see abit more of Kerala before we left India. We chose Varkala mainly because a few people had said it was nice and was'nt to faraway bearing inmind that time was starting to count against us. Now in preparation I called ahead to a place so we had a room when we got there, or at least we thought, we arrived to find that they had given our room to someone else and wanted to charge us more at place connected to them up the road. We told them to get stuffed and went on the hunt. Now you would think a guesthouse owner that had just opened up in late December with no bookings, shared bathrooms would do a deal for 5 nights stay. But oh no this bloke was not having it and so we stayed one night and found a place closer to the beach, cheaper and with our own bathroom. Another up yours in Varkala and at this point we were wondering if people like this were everywhere and spoil our stay.

We were wrong of course and Varkala was lovely. All the resturants were on the cliff top and it was an easy walk to 2 beaches. The smaller of the 2 was where we spent most of our time. The sea was perfect for the boogie board, however the body is far from perfect now. Bruised my arms and graised my ribs. I can't remember this happening when I was 12 ir the sea being as harsh. But I was happy due to finally getting some good use out of the board, some of the picture will bring back some memories I think Mum. Dad. I know a big kid reall. No the board stayed in Varkala with the Indian that hired them to people. He bought it for 1000 rupees so everyone happy.

The food was fantastic, with fresh seafood and fish high on the menu. Gems had some jumbo prawns for the equalivant of 5 pounds in total, beat that one down at Leeds fish market James and Natalie. Gems describes this meal as her best in India. I tried Blue Marlin steak and Butterfish, the best being butterfish cooked on the BBQ beautiful, Gems nearly had to stop me eating it's head it was that good.

The only thing I must mention is my burnt face, not my fault Mum, I was using 60 I promise. The only problem was and I did'nt find this out until later, that some Nivea products are imported from Thailand and are not the same as the ones we get at home and yes we had some and yes Gems burn't to, so it was definately the cream. We have the proper stuff now and this is 50, so no more burning lesson learned.

This was the last place to really mention in India for us as we fly to Singapore on 12th January. The whole experience has been great and we will definately come back at some stage, maybe not to the places we have already been but to places that we have heard we must see. The people have made the experience even more memorable with there welcoming smile and questions. We could write more as a conclusion to India but this will do for now the rest you will have to wait for when we get home.