We had sort of planned to go to Varkala at some point as we wanted to go further south. At 5am we went to the Kochin train station and found there was a train to Varkala. Purchased tickets found seats and everything sort of passed in a blur. The scenery was interesting but my mind needed sleep, it wanted to be interested but the concentration of figuring out where to get off and the likes seemed to suck up its energy. At times I would get a sudden burst of energy and id watch as the soil turned into sand, palm trees lined even the train tracks. Cows tied to roped with interesting horn shapes and the people all seemed to be in less of a hurry. Some rice padi fields passed us by but everything was getting drier. The countryside was a bit more like Goa. We finally arrived and grabbed a breakfast/lunch at a small stall, very good food. We then took a bus then a rick to the cliffside area we intended to stay at. Hotel hunting was painful it was ‘the season’ so everyone jacks up their prices through the roof in an attempt to cash in on the few lucrative months of the year when the place has relatively more tourists. Some places only open during this time. Finally we found one for an ok price then on the second day managed to get a discount when the water began to smell like a river. we slept off the  lack of sleep on the first day there then played pool with some English and Australians and ate some nice food. the next day we headed down to the lower part of the town and found a very interesting temple. Every time a person entered a small explosion had to be set off to notify the Gods. It was very loud. Im sure the guy who does it has industrial deafness. The explosions can be quite shocking especially if you are out of sight from the guy and suddenly there is a huge bang. The temple was fascinating, several shrines devoted to different Gods and a multitude of carvings around the doors on the roofs and everywhere around. The place had a peaceful feel (aside from the random explosions as people entered). On one side there was a huge tree with these amazing orchids growing off it there where many huge pink flowers, at least as big as your fist. Leaving the temple we paid the shoe minding guy and went off towards the beach. We passed a huge (approx 50m square) spring fed holy tank (open on top) inside there where some people bathing and washing cloths, some watching swarms of small fish and some kids where swimming and playing in the water. Large stone carvings of mythical animals where the spouts that let the water pass through their mouths into the pool. The road down to the beach followed the stream fed by this tank. The water was quite clean. The beach had uninspiring surf so ice cream eating was the flavor of the moment in a shack with a great view. We felt rich so we went into the classiest hotel in the area around and asked to see the deluxe suite. Grilling the woman on every detail of the hotel finding out if it was “full AC” just checking out what a room worth Rs8000 was like (ours cost just 400). The views where ok but the hotel wasn’t too much chop. From there we went to another beach on the other side of the cliff area. For some reason the body surfing was amazing. The best body surfing I have ever done. The waves some how actually pushed you up keeping you above the whitewash. At sundown the lifeguard started blowing his whistle like there was no tomorrow getting everyone out of the water because he wanted to go home. We got out waited till he left and continued awesome body surfing. He then came back and whistling again again again. Apparently he threatens to call the police if everyone doesn’t get out, we swam till dark when we could swim no more anyway and headed back.