I love Varkala!

Ever want to run away to a deserted island? Thought so. Well does your island have internet access? People who will cook a fresh fish in a banana leaf? Comfort food and cool drinks served in a thatched roof cafe with a palm lined ocean view? Three German bakeries? Great people watching? Flush toilets? Ok, well then Varkala is for you.

Varkala is located on the edge of India both literally, with the Arabian Sea breaking at the bottom of the cliffs, and figuratively. We were talking with a traveller who said he was traveling on "the edge of India"; the part not teeming with people like Delhi or Bombay and oriented to the amenities of tourism with air conditioning if you want it.

It always seemed like siesta time (or whatever it is called in India) was about 2 minutes away. You can shop at the colorful shops for cool clothes and souviners and of course, yoga classes and ayervedic treatments are plentiful.


The restaurants were eager to have you buy their fish which had been swimming just a few hours earlier. The fishing boats were brought to shore on the beach below and each restaurant proudly displayed the day's catch in front. As the night progressed, the fish lost more and more of their edible parts. Bryan's marlin in a banana leaf with salad and fries cost 200 rupees (about $5).
























Back to Bangalore for a few days to say goodbye to Sara, Munier and Rohan and then our flight to Bangkok. We are officially 1/2 of the way through our 6-week adventure and are ready for what Thailand and Cambodia may bring.