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Day 34, 35, 36 - Varkala - Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th, Monday 21st November 2011
We arrived at the bus stop in Kovalam at 1pm to catch our bus to Varkala only to be told it didn't leave until 3.30pm! With a few hours to kill, we decided to gate-crash a 5 star hotel… Leela Resort - was our victim of choice! We got a few strange looks as we walked into the reception - we were looking a bit hot and loaded with our backpacks. The place was very posh; they were handing out chilled towels and coconuts with juice inside for all arriving guests… It looked lovely, but I've got to say that you could be anywhere in the world once in the compound.
Back at the bus stop, our bus arrived on time ready to transport us to Varkala. The journey was supposed to be an hour and 30 mins - 2 hours and 30 mins later we finally arrived. It was dark by this point and we hadn't yet arranged any accommodation so we decided to just walk until we found somewhere. I'd heard that there were nice beach huts on the black beach so headed in that direction - an hour later we came to a very dark dead end. Knackered, sore and hungry we turned back and after a bit of teamwork on the haggling, secured a lovely room with AC overlooking the sea for only 400 rs a night. We're getting good at this haggling lark. We couldn't be bothered to shower (disgusting I know) so went straight out and had some fresh fish for dinner before coming back and collapsing into bed.
The next day we were up and ready to hit the beach but after stepping out of our front door realised it was cloudy! Every day except the 2 days we have planned to stay on the beach has been perfect sunshine!! We decided instead to go and do what we do best - eat. We went to an Italia Café on the cliff top for our first full western meal. We started with posh coffee and bruschetta, Soph then had some pasta and I had the seafood pasta, whilst we ordered pudding we Skyped the family which took ages and tried looking for pics on Facebook of Brickys stag! After what seemed like hours we had finished with the internet and had our dessert. Our dessert was called 'God save the queen' which is on every menu in India, its basically mashed up hob k*** with caramel, warm chocolate sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice cream, lovely!! Stuffed and knackered we hit the sack!
Today was our third and final night in Varkala so for some unknown reason I suggested that I would pick the restaurant for dinner. So on the way to lie on the beach we passed a beach dinner that had loads of balloons outside, big posters of Bob Marley and loads of staff - I thought that looks awesome!! So we chilled on the beach all day, it was pretty sunny too! Then headed back for a shower ready to go to the coolest restaurant that I had picked! We arrived at 7.30pm ish and it was empty… 'Oh well' I thought its quite early it will soon liven up, so Soph ordered a pineapple juice and I ordered a JD & coke. The waiter didn't understand, so I said whiskey & coke? He nodded and came back with a lovely juice for Soph and a shot of Cointreau for me… "Excuse me, I ordered a whiskey & coke?" OK OK OK I get… Then he can back with a large bottle of coke…. So I had a shot of Cointreau (in a wine glass) and a large bottle of coke! We saw the funny side so we continued to order. Soph picked her fresh fish and I ordered a fish tandoori. "Sorry sir, no tandoori today" (no tandoori in an Indian restaurant in India?!!) "Ok, no worries" I said. I'll have the sea food Mexican grill. 25mins after Soph had finished her amazing looking dinner, mine arrived, it was a prawn lasagnes! Thinking that all might not be lost we chanced our arm at a large pot of coffee - surely this will be good… No, it was hot milk powdered water with sugar - no coffee?!! I am now not allowed to pick the restaurants, however my bag carrying has massively improved!! They did have a live band that was good though so not a complete loss!
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