Postcard from Varkala

By the time we arrived in Varkala it was dark. Although we could not see much, we could hear the soothing sounds of the ocean lapping the shore and the distant twinkle of the cliff top lights across the beach. After settling into our hotel, which were charming round "chalets", we headed to the beach to find some food. We took a table in the sand and ordered beer. It was the start of a wonderfully relaxing three hour dinner where lifetime friendships were forged over chutneys and coconut rice. Eli slept soundly and Evan happily made railroad tracks in the sand.

In the morning light we discovered that Varkala is small, laid back and very beautiful. Despite the dramatic setting it was not however a beach for sun bathing. We arrived with suits on ready for a day in the sand only to find a small handful of fully dressed men loitering in the sand. There were also an army of stray dogs and the sand was a minefield of poop. The surf was intense and the rip tide strong. We quickly abandoned our plans for a beach day and sought out the Taj Garden Hotel where we spent an incredibly relaxing day sipping pina coladas in the pool and dining on an "opulent" lunch (as described by Lonely Planet).

Later in the evening we walked along the cliff top and did some shopping in the myriad of Nepalese handicraft shops, t-shirt stalls, and souvenir stands. We bargained hard for some great gifts for our friends as well as for ourselves. A leisurely dinner capped off another relaxing day.

The view from our hotel