We just thought you should all know we are writing this on the beach in 35+degrees.

:-)

We left Trivandrum just after lunch on Monday. Short train journey and while we didn't know what we were expecting it was a breeze and only half an hour. We had booked ahead a v cheap room so advised the Taxi driver and we were on our way. The route that he took us down was suspect though as we drove miles away from town, down tiny back streets, track roads only just big enough for the car itself and saw nothing but hostels and houses crammed into an unbelievably small space. Sean was getting very concerned about the lack of places to eat and we rocked up at this little pink house in the middle of nowhere and a nice Indian man in his dhoti came to greet us - clearly not the Belgian hippy owners the lonely planet had advised us about and we began wondering exactly what we had got ourselves into again.

Our Indian geezer offered to direct us to the beach so after taking one look around us and realising there was nothing better to d here we followed him. About 30 seconds later we arrived in paradise. We headed to the nearest bar with a sea view (which is all of them) for a chilled Kingfisher. Or two. This place is unreal. We only stopped here to break up the journey up the coast and explore some smaller towns because we had enjoyed Nasik so much but we didn't expect anything like this. Season doesn't hit until next week so it is very quiet. The beach is small but there is always space and it lies below Varkala cliff which is just one street of bars restaurants and Shops. There are more westerners here than we have seen in the entirety of our trip so we aren't hassled nearly as much here and the atmosphere is more relaxed and like a holiday which means I am into the bikini and out of the burkha! We have been working hard here tiring ourselves out every day working on the tans.

Our first full day was spent...on the beach. We enjoy wave hunting in the sea. The tide only goes out about 2m so we are always within spitting distance of it. It means that whenever we feel a little bit hot we can just reach out and cool down. It's really a tough life. Had prawn masala and calamari curry for dinner. Being on the coast means the range of seafood is amazing. And we can watch the fishermen from our beach spot. (There really is nothing to fault with this place)

Our second full day was spent...on the beach. It was my (Sean's) birthday. It was a different place to spend to spend m birthday because I've never had my birthday somewhere like this. I got some nice presents from Laura including the traditional Indian Dhoti - a man's skirt. I tried it on but now use it to lie on the beach. We had a really nice day on the beach and then had the best seafood ever a massive red goober fish and some massive prawns. All for about £6. It was delicious and washed down with several Kingfishers. We stayed in a bamboo hut that night near the sea. It was like something from a film. Definitely a good birthday.

We moved back to the geezers gaff on Thursday and walked into town. We quickly realised there was nothing of interest there and so made our way back to spend the rest of the day...on the beach. Did a spot of shopping in the evening and got a good horde of travellers gear. Stripy trousers, beaded bracelets, anklets, sandals and spices. Dinner at the rock and roll cafe where we once again bumped into a couple we seem to have been stalking all week. A few hands of Uno - almost a whitewash to Sean and home again to rest for another hard day.

Friday was slightly overcast so we had a coffee in a sea front cafe and then filled our applications for South Korea though how we can contemplate ever leaving here I don't know. Spent the afternoon playing India Monopoly again overlooking h sea. We seriously contest that New Delhi has the Mayfair space. Absolutely annihilated Laura and time to move on. Dinner was a lovely spinach cottage cheese curry (MUCH nicer than it sounds honest) and more calamari. A cheeky Kingfisher later to round off the evening.

Saturday morning rise and shine to get down to the beach. The sun is out as are the surfers and it's just another day in paradise. Not ready to leave quite yet so will be here for a few more days. We must dash Sean is a bit sweaty so we have to go and cool off in the sea. Until next time...

P.s we will get some photos up soon as if you weren't jealous enough already.