Varkala

Varkala 2.o

February 4-5, 2024

day 1  

After searching places in Mararikulam beach front, for a 2 day trip, as room rates are at its peak, started searching places in Varkala, zeroed in some places for accommodation, got info about bike rentals, kayaking, country boat rides in mangrove forest

Guruvayoor - Trivandrum train was at 5.15 as it was Sunday got seats for all, reached Varkala Sivagiri station by 9am 

Hyundai i10 for Rs 1500 per day, moved to Sea Pearl Chalets a nice accommodation at South cliff with 180° views of beach, 5 mins walk to the beach @ Rs 2000, we were the only occupants out of the 11 chalets

After check-in moved to Anjuthengu ( Angengo) fort, built by the British, hanging bridge nearby, back to chalet

Sunset at black sand beach couldn't find not much black sand as the waves have taken most of the beach

Varkala beach have the following adventure rides, floating bridge, paragliding, catamaran, sea rafting, scuba diving, kayaking, boogie boards, jet ski, banana ride, bumper ride, speed boat, crazy sofa, all terrain vehicles

Night vibe at North cliff is like mini Goa minus the pubs, most of the cafes have live music and most of them serve fresh sea food, almost all the cafes are occupied by foreigners, dinner at Olappura restaurant, back to room, it was a night with clear sky and stars all spend time on the beach benches

day 2

Morning walk to beach, lot of changes from my last visit, there were lot of laterite formations the sea, with sea weeds,but the sea have receded so beach is very wide, not much waves, spend some time in the waves

Sivagiri mutt was 2 kms from Varkala beach, went there a calm n quiet place of Sree Narayana Guru, all his personal belongings on display, free food is served in morning, noon & evening, had a nice noon prasadam 

Kappil beach a unique place flaunted by lake and sea on either sides, its on the way to Paravoor, Nedungolam mangrove forest

Mangrove forest, with mangrove tunnel is a place we can do kayaking, country boat ride, enquired with some of the operators and booked at Mangrove nest ₹ 2500 for 6 persons 

Our oarsman handed over our safety jackets, decided to start at 4.30 pm so we can be at the sunset point. Started thru the narrow canals and moved thru the mangroves and tunnels of mangrove roots on the way we saw kayakers infront, reached an open place, not so deep, all kayakers was having fun in the water, Vinod also jumped in floated in the water, after this moved to view the sunset, had a nice golden sunset, back at our drop off point at 6.45

Back to Varkala railway station, Vinod have booked tickets in Trivandrum - Mangalore expressreached home at 1.45am