Beaches, Fishermen, and Fish

The friendly beach dogs
see all photos »

My trip to Varkala beach is a bit disorienting, at least the last part of it. I set off on the ferry (again with Viv and Gordon) from the ashram along with 6 others. The remaining ferry journey was just as beautiful as the first part. I learn about the local flora from a French-speaking Australian woman who pointed out the interesting local plants along the way. I also met a British woman who was an industrial designer on a leave of absence. All of us ended up getting a local bus,and then yet another local bus, and then an autorickshaw, to finally arrive late at Varkala beach. After finding lodging we all met out for a late dinner. We were sitting looking out at the sea but there were hundreds of lights on the horizon, I was almost fooled by the waiter when he said that there were islands off in the distance, but I soon learned that these were all local fishing boats. It was very beautiful!

Tropical!!
see all photos »

I was so excited to put on my bathing suit the next day and hit the Arabian Sea! Of course I will blind everyone on the beach as I am so white, but I don't care! Of course my first day at the beach also happens to be my first cloudy day in India. Oh well. The beach is at the bottom of a cliff and I have to climb down. The beach is a bit quiet as the weather isn't sunny but I enjoy the quiet and the sea is beautiful, the water is so clear that I can see my feet and the waves are fun, but I heed the warnings about where to swim and not to swim as this beach is supposed to have a dangerous undertow.

The local fishermen pulling in the nets
see all photos »

The next day I head for the more deserted Black's Beach, so named because it has black sand. All of the local fisherman are at work and I am almost alone swimming. A local fisherman pulls up on his boat that has been hollowed out of a coconut tree to offer me a ride - for free! - but I decline. I am having fun bobbing in the waves. I tire myself out and fall asleep in the sun. Oops. This leads to me being in a bit of pain as I am rather burned on my back. Ouch.

The small thatched hut that I am staying in on the roof of the Sea Win hotel has some issues with the high winds. All of this black stuff is falling on me and my bed, rather disgusting. I enjoy my time, regardless of where I'm staying, it's warm and sunny, that's all that counts! Although I enjoyed this rather quiet beach I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with the development, it was not exactly what I had expected, but I'm glad that I headed for the less-touristy northern parts of Varkala.

About 20 minutes later you end up with...
see all photos »

I start off my last day by attending an early morning yoga class. Later in the day, of course the most hot time, I head further north on foot and I am rewarded by watching the local fishermen at work on the beach at the bottom of a cliff. It takes quite a lot of manpower to pull in the rather extensive fishing nets that they use. It was really exciting to watch and I was shocked by how many fish they managed to pull in!

I am sorry that my time in the state of Kerala has come to an end. I definitely want to come back here in the future and spend at least a month exploring all of the other places that I wanted to see but didn't have the time.