Varkala : Beauty & The Beach

I am someone who enjoys watching the sky during sunrise and sunsets. Its just an exotic treat to watch the view of sunrise and sunset from Varkala beach and cliff. It’s a beautiful place for someone who wants a peaceful atmosphere all around. There are many beach activities like sightseeing, sunbathing, parasailing that are offered by various resorts. One can indulge in activities like Ayurveda treatments, meditation, yoga, art & creative sessions also while vacationing at the beach. Oh! And shopaholics like me could go on a shopping spree for jewellery, clothing, footwear, handicrafts and what not.

Being located in the north end border of the district, Trivandrum, Kerala (India) this beach is also called Papanasam beach since it is used by Hindus to scatter cremated ashes of their relatives which is believed to wash away all the sins.

View from the cliff top

So, my first trip to Varkala was with my in laws and cousins. It was my first meetup with cousins as they came down all the way from London. For some reason it is always easier to get along with cousins as they are more understanding, more mature and easier to talk to. No drama, no fights over small petty things and there is always a considerate amount of space between the two of you as well. I think that’s the secret to the bond that most cousins share, space and distance that helps them realize the importance and value of the relationship. I could easily buddy up with them. We chose to stay at Clafouti beach resort, located on the North cliff facing the sea for our weekend getaway. We opted for partial sea view rooms where ambience was just amazing. And not to mention food was also good and economical compared to other restaurants with a wide range of menus. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby. Out of all, my personal favourite is Café Italiano. From this side of the café on the cliff, view of the sea is mind blowing. Just sit back, relax and have food & drinks with the view and you will forget everything. The façade stands out at any time of the day. The food and service also lives up to the expectations.

Partial sea view from the room at Clafouti beach resort

Bidding bye to this place was a bit hard hence I decided to make another trip. For the second time I stayed at the Molly’s hostel located around the south cliff. We were a group of three friends from school days who stayed in the room, though one among us was terribly missed. It was a wonderful stay, clean dorms and a great spacious garden and terrace. The hosts were very friendly and welcoming and it was a great place that will make your stay in Varkala even more magical.

Backyard of the hostel

We walked all the way from south cliff to the north cliff along the shores of Papanasam beach which is just seven minutes away from the hostel. We couldn’t explore any activities as the skies were gloomy and was partially raining. But being a foodie I could scout out on the food culture. We wanted something Italian for lunch and I must say we chose the perfect restaurant, Abba restaurant and Everest Germany bakery. Lasagna Bolognese is a must-have in the list and the thin crust chicken pizza was a pretty good try too. The menu is just huge here. And yes! It’s a good place to chill with friends.

Beef Lasagna & Chicken Pizza

Natives there were very hospitable people and being connected with the nature alongside makes it difficult to leave the place. There was something really special about this trip; could be the perfect timing; right circle of people or the stress-relieving waves. Either way, it turned out to be an amazing trip with a bunch of memories. So what are you waiting for? Load your bags, and take that trip you deserve!

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