Back at the Beach

After a long but much needed sleep on Sat morning (the 17th) we enjoyed a nice lazy day in the sun and the breeze. We read, took a walk, ate, did laundry (by hand in a bucket), ate some more, and just re-couped after a long night of traveling (as Sarah previously mentioned). The highlight and low point of the day was in the afternoon when I was walking back from buying laundry detergent when I heard a cry for help from down the path. I looked around to see who it might be and it was none other than Sarah lying in her hammock covered by a palm tree branch which had naturally fallen from above. When I got there the hotel boys had picked it off her but she was still shaken. After she was ok we had to laugh about it. What were the chances? The next day they had the pruners in to fall any other loose branches and now over a week later she is still sporting two pretty good bruises, one on her left bicep and the other on her right thigh.
We had settled back into beach life really well, felt very relaxed and headed for dinner at De Yak (based on a recommendation from Heather and Bill) which was lovely Tibetan food washed down with some beers.
The next day we decided to take a walk into the town, and walked past what looked like a hotel from behind the gates we were peering through. A guy ran to the gates and ushered us in, and we were met by a topless guy who cheerfully lead us inside. It was at this point we realised he was showing us around his house!! It was lovely with so much teak and rosewood carved pieces, banisters, floors etc... Even one of his kitchen staff brought us a cool drink (even though we were then offered brandy in his bar). It did feel a little like "look how rich I am" but it was a good experience all the same.

The days in Varkala just rolled together but we knew again we had to leave. Our last night was spent watching a very strange magic show over a gorgeous fish curry.

We headed off early the following morning for our train to Kochi (cochin)