Kochi to Varkala: the calm before the swarm

Jess and Otto watching the Chinese fishing nets, Kochi

We had just ten days to kill before our next visitors were set to arrive.  Just enough time to check out Kochi

With it's famous fort area and Chinese fishing nets, we had high hopes for the city. And yes, they were very nice but nothing on Wonderla!

Wonderla is Kerala's best water park in fact there are a few Wonderlas elsewhere dotted around India but the one near Kochi is ace. It's big, clean, has loads of slides and also has some small land based rides as well. We spent a great day here, cooling off from the southern heat. My only complaint was they were a little too cautious and wouldn't let our two kids on any of the bigger slides, which is a rarity on our travels. Everywhere else from Bali to El Salvador they have allowed us to take responsibility for them but not here. We got whistled at constantly as the life guards panicked to see our two swimming on their own. The wave pool attendant nearly had a heart attack as they were diving underneath the waves and swimming for ten seconds underwater. 

After Kochi we stopped briefly in Allepey with the thought of checking out a backwater houseboat cruise. But the more we priced it up and took a look at it, the more we realised it wasn't for us. Ten children imprisoned in a small space for hours on end with no chance of going for a swim even. Not ideal. So after a couple of slap up meals at the Ramada hotel, we left our cheap dive next door and headed down to Varkala.

Varkala beach from the clifftop

Varkala lived up to its reputation. Firstly, we could sit in a restaurant and have a beer! Albeit disguised in a clay mug bit still a beer. And they served cocktails as well.

If you're heading to Kerala and plan on straying from Varkala be aware you may find it tricky to get any alcoholic beverage. The state government have been piling restrictions on top of restrictions which makes it pretty difficult and time consuming. In fact Gokarna was equally facing restrictions so it is happening in other states too. Even way out here in the Andamans (where I'm penning this post from) there is no beer anywhere but one 5 star resort.

But not in Varkala. The weight of tourism or the remoteness of the cliffs mean it is a safe place to chill with a beer and watch the sundown.  The beach is also beautiful for a morning run, it stretches for way further than I could ever hope to run. And at seven in the morning it's still shaded by the mighty cliffs so cool enough to attempt some exercise.  


Next post, the arrival of the swarm: the GBs, the Davies and the Newitts arrive. When four became eighteen. Yikes!!