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Location Date Trivandrum 1268611200 Varkala 
1268524800 Cochin 1267747200 Ooty 1267488000 Delhi3 1267488000 Mysore 1267142400 Varanasi 1267056000 Allahabad 1266883200 Goa 1266796800 Chitrakoot 1266796800 Panna National Park 1266710400 Khajuraho 1266624000 Orchha 1266537600 Chanderi 1266364800 Agra 2 1266192000 Delhi 2 1265932800 Shekhawati 1265673600 Jaisalmer 1265328000 Jodhpur 1264982400 Pushkar 1264723200 Udaipur 1264550400 Bijaipur 1264464000 Bassi 1264377600 Bundi 1264291200 Ranthambore Jaipur 1264204800 Jaipur 1264032000 Madhogarh 1263945600 Agra 1263859200 Delhi 1263686400
Varkala 6.3.10-15.3.10
As our time in India was drawing to a close we decided that we needed some serious relaxation time at the beach to wind down from all our travels and adventures. It was a four hour train journey from Fort Cochin to Varkala, a seaside resort set on a towering red cliff. It's a relatively undeveloped place, catering for local tourists as well as a range of Western travellers.
We arrived without any accommodation booked and had decided that we would scout around to look for a place to stay when we arrived. Nikki's only proviso was that it should have a/c and Jo's was that it should cost no more than 1000 rupees a night (£14.60 according to Jo's ipod!) After viewing a few places which did not quite hit the spot, Jo took a hike up a steep hill to look at some cute circular cottages perched on the edge of the cliff, high above the sea. Due to the amazing location with a front door that opened metres from the cliff edge we took the cottage (for exactly 1000 rupees) for a couple of nights, as the strong sea breezes would compensate for the lack of a/c. After that we decamped to another, much larger room in a guest house overlooking the beach which had every facility we required if not the splendid view!
We quickly settled into a beach routine.
1. Wake late
2. Breakfast in beachside café
3. Suncream application
4. Bargain hard for sunbed (Jo's speciality)
5. Lie on sunbed (menu: doze, sleep, people watch, read, interspersed with occasional paddle)
6. Drink/lunch as required
7. Repeat step 3
8. Repeat step 5
9. Sundowner, choice of G&T on own balcony or Shandy in beach bar with 'beer decoration' (some variant of crisps/poppadum)
10. Decide which sea view eatery to frequent for delicious skewered tandoori fish or a huge range of other multi-cuisine options.
11. Get ready for bed- this involves evaluation of suntan progress and moisturising liberally.
12. Bed
Repeat steps 1-12 each day.
As you can see, it's a hard life! It's miracle this was ever posted!
- comments
Sarah Davison aah, yes: I remember the bargaining! from slices of pineapple or sarongs on the beach to meals, rooms and transport it pays to have Jo with you.
Corynne I just lost my comment...! Will try again... Am guessing you didn't have to work too hard to relax?! Love the hill top huts and the view from them- fantastic. Will leave you both to perfect your very tough routine-you poor things! (i'm still picturing Jo haggling...!)
Tracy Aah that's more like it! was getting exhausted just reading the blog with all your travels, now I feel much more relaxed .zzzzz
Kit How delightful it all sounds. I'm only worried about the excessive quantities of alcohol this trip has entailed. Will you be coming back pickled, as well as brown?
Lindsey Gosh how did you deal with the stress? How tanned? Where to eat? Sea breeze or air con? Have a G&T girls, you need to chill out!!
Kate Glad to see that some beer-based beverages have finally emerged! This trip has been so awash with gin that I was starting to wonder if you were both starring in your own William Hogarth engraving. Now Shandy has been mentioned I can give you my top (for 'top' read 'only) drinking tip- use ginger beer instead of lemonade in your Shandy. You might have to save this one up 'til you're back.